Damon Albarn Records With 100-Plus Musicians and Some Monkeys For New Album
4/28/2008 By Brock Thiessen

Blur front-man and sometimes animated character Damon Albarn has leaked word on a new album, and from the sounds of it, he’s embraced the old “bigger is better” approach. The aging Brit popper explained to BBC 6Music that the record will boast more than 100 musicians, including, a full orchestra and, of all things, a Chinese choir.

“I’m finishing off a record at the moment, which should be out quite soon,” Albarn said. “This one’s got about 80 or 90 musicians on it — something in that region. It’s got a 100-piece Chinese choir on one of the tunes, so that plus the orchestra probably goes to about 120, 130 people.”

Albarn was vague as to whether the album will appear under his own name or another new moniker altogether. He also didn’t reveal any details on what the record might be called, or what label would be releasing it. However, he did hint that the album, which may hit as early as July, might have something to do with his recent opera, Monkey: Journey to the West. Also, he told the BBC we should expect a cameo from our friends, the animals.

“There’s a monkey or two in there at least — bit like Gorillaz as well,” he said. “It’s not an opera, it’s a proper record. And it's all in Mandarin, I can tell you that for sure.”

To recap, Damon Albarn’s new yet-to-be-named album will feature the following: more than 100 musicians, a Chinese choir, an orchestra, vocals all in Mandarin, and feature at least two, and perhaps more, monkeys. Sounds about right for a dude that takes tomato bathes.
More News: << Previous Story | Next Story >>
Do you have a news tip for us? Did anything crazy happen at a show? Got any inside info on a band? Click here to let us know!
Check Out Reviews of Massive Attack, Gil Scott-Heron, Pantha Du Prince, Sade and More in New Release Tuesday
Liam Gallagher Ditches Oasis 2.0 Moniker: “That Was a Shit Name Anyway”
Lil Wayne's Sentencing Postponed Due to, Um, Dental Surgery
Matthew Herbert's Pig Album Hits Snag When Pig Dies
Metric Respond to Backlash over Help Haiti T-Shirt
Bright Eyes/Neva Dinova Split EP to Get Reissued with Extra Tracks
The Weakerthans Divulge Details of Forthcoming Live Album
Megadeth Co-Founder Dave Ellefson Returns for Rust in Peace Tour; Dave Mustaine to Release Autobiography
MGMT Unveil Congratulations Release Details
White Stripes Slam U.S. Air Force Over Super Bowl Ad, Bring Ballet to Toronto
Saturday night is meant for hand pumping and fraternal writhing, and nothing inspires it like Parisian pop. With an armoury of feel-good songs — almost all single-worthy — and a stellar warm-up act in Holy Fuck, French six-piece Phoenix played a joyous and infectiously amiable Sound Academy show.Full Review
One of this city’s superstar DJs, Misstress Barbara specializes in big beats for the masses, and with her three-piece band Girls on a Ducati, she’s extending her house pop chops to a more traditional live setting. With a guitar and mic, as well as keys and effects, she’s a capable front-woman but he... Full Review
The deliberately lo-fi, yet earnest, split between Transit and Man Overboard sounds like the product of a bunch of friends growing up on punk and hardcore throughout the '90s. The hardcore leanings of Boston fivesome Transit lay the groundwork for the pop punk tendencies of the Jersey kids in Man Ov... Full Review
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the April 2008 Issue: Contents PageNewsClick Hear • Articles --> On the Cover  •  Front Five  •  Points  •  Questionnaire  •  Release Dates  •  Research  •  Timeline  •  Videogames  •  Web Exclusives • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Destination Out  •  Frequencies  •  No Future  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews  •  CMW Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews  •  Videogame Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Meet & Greet  •  Need to Know  •  Where I play Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue Browse Issues