Gorillaz

The Fall

Originally a fan club-only download back in January, The Fall was recorded on Damon Albarn's iPad during a 32-day stretch of America/Canada last 'fall'. Ambitious, lo-fi and shorn of Albarn's celeb pals, it's the dazzling laid-back tunes that do all the talking. Opener 'Phoner To Arizona' is so squlechy, it sounds like Stoke City's back four plodding upfield through a vat of jam, while 'Bobby In Phoenix' could be Air covering Joe Cocker on the moon. Despite its on-the-road spontaneity and DIY construction, The Fall may actually be the cartoonsters' most compelling release yet. Now there's irony for you...