Open A Free Gorillaz Album On Christmas

Now here's some intrepid surfing: Consequence of Sound dug out a recent interview on Perth Now with Jamie Hewlett, the visual mastermind of Gorillaz, who spilled a significant surprise. "On Christmas Eve, a video for one of the new songs from the iPad album will be released," Hewlett said. "Then, on Christmas Day fans get the whole album downloaded to their computer for free as a gift."

This confirms Damon Albern's earlier hint that an album was being written and recorded by the band on an iPad during the course of its US tour. "I wanted to make sure that it came out at the end of the tour because I don't want anyone to think I'd tampered with it," he says.

As for the overall sonic vibe of the record, Albarn revealed last month that the record is more "American-sounding" and a departure from his Blur days. "It sounds like an English voice that has been put through a vocoder of America," he said.

The record will be available as a free download on the band's official website, courtesy of the Gorillaz Advent Calendar, where the band is unveiling all sorts of ephemera (videos, computer wallpaper, and downloadable masks) leading up to the big day.

New Gorillaz Video: "On Melancholy Hill"

Here's the newest Gorillaz video, this one for "On Melancholy Hill," the second single from Plastic Beach. After escaping the pursuing Bruce Willis in the last episode ("Stylo"), the band discovers its island hideaway - and potentially the whereabouts of Russel Hobbs? Watch for cameos by various album collaborators.

Gorillaz Rock The Colbert Nation

Various blogs are abuzz, understandably, today about last night's Gorillaz interview and live performance of "Stylo" last night on The Colbert Report. They noted Damon Albern and the featured appearance of Bobby Womack, and they lamented the absence of Mos Def and the subliminal images of Jamie Hewlett's (left to right above) Noodle, 2-D, Russel Hobbs, 2-D and Murdoc Nicalls.

But why no mention of these two blokes?

Yep, that's ex-Clash bassist Paul Simonon and guitarist Mick Jones. (The two played with Gorillaz last weekend at Coachella and are featured guests on the band's latest release, Plastic Beach.) Granted, last night both were sporting caps right off a Gilligan's Island set, but they sure do know how to help pace the rhythm.

Damon Albern Preps New Gorillaz Record

The Guardian reports that the third Gorillaz album, due for release sometime in 2010, will be titled Plastic Beach. In a lengthy audio interview with Paul Morley, head cartoon (and sometimes Blur member) Damon Albern also reveals that the first effort of the "band" since 2005's Demon Days will include vocal contributions from the likes of Lou Reed, Mos Def, Snoop Dog, Bobby Womack, The Horrors and . . . the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra. Oh, and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees too.

EMI Australia has the art work for the album, which features a fierce Noodle.

While we're waiting, it's always great to listen to the Danger Mouse produced "Feel Good, Inc." featuring De La Soul.