Welcome to Issue 3 of “Dig, Dug, Damn!”, titled “Sci X, X“, where I will speak on some of my favorite ladies in science-fiction/fantasy that I want all to myself but am forced to share with the world.  Now, I’m no Joss Whedon or anything, but I am a big supporter of women and take great delight in the strength of broads.  Even better is strong fictional women in science fiction/fantasy, because as said in the opening title sequence of The Twilight Zone where Rod Serling would say, “…the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge”, these genre stories mirror our world and to put our sexy foot forward first in these properties is more than a social commentary on the growing domain of women- it’s a proclamation that, well, maybe the girls can do it better than the boys.  Sometimes, but here are a few that cannot be topped.

Tank Girl

Very much like my undying affection for Howard the Duck is my love for all things Tank Girl, including the admittedly subpar but still a blast-movie (yo, anytime you have Jeff Kober as one of the main good guys you know what you’re watching is special [in a good way or bad is up to you]).  The lovechild creation of Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett, Tank Girl is one of the ten best comic characters ever created, fueled by the manic, unstructured origins of every original story in Deadline magazine.  She can reinvent herself between panels if so desired, and change her attitude even quicker, and blow something up quicker still.  The marsupial loving lady really pulls at my heart strings because no matter her allegiances she’s good in a fight, making her story truly her own.  Nowhere else in comics have I ever seen such a punk-mentality manifesto of energy, wit, insanity, and nicotine buzzes, and I don’t ever expect I will.  She is so unapologetically herself that her books and stories are instantly refreshing, the market filled with lead characters of hidden identities, traumatic childhoods, and ever-so prevalent melodrama.  She is a fashion icon, too (if you were born in the 1990’s you probably didn’t see this much as you were busy listening to The Backstreet Boys and being a simpleton in diapers), and my memory is filled with rough n’ tumble girls with mohawks and other weird hair styles sported by our heavy metal heroine.  Let me just put it this way- if you know a character with more character or wit or dynamite than my girl here, you’re full of crap. (site: tank-girl.com)

The Powerpuff Girls

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice- these were the ingredients chosen to make what is in my opinion the best animated science fiction action-comedy of all time, and it might beat even the best of the live action supreme.  Blossom, the straight-laced Nancy Drew type, Buttercup, the butch girl who loves to fight, and Bubbles, the quintessential toothache-sweet bundle of sunshine.  How in the world Craig McCracken took his original idea, “The Whoop-Ass Girls”, and turned them into what is probably the most successful American cartoon of the last 20 years is beyond my comprehension, but it’s truly genius.  Being in my mid-20’s, I have a youthful sensability and, believe it or not, this is the prime time to watch, finally capable of catching every joke, hidden reference and easter egg, like episode “Mommy Fearest” where Professor Utonium goes on a date with villian Sedusa, and it is implied that Buttercup gives him condoms, or the episode that is nothing but an awesome homage to The Big Lebowski (another McCracken’s show, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, had cameos by Dude Lebowski, Walter Sobchak, and Theodore Donald Kerabatsos in an episode based around bowling, of course).  Where in the world the idea was created that the show, about 3 children created by science, who are in kindergarten, and are superheroes against monkeys and monsters, was a program for girls is baffling.  It’s as much about girls, having 3 main female characters, as it is about the word “the”, which is in the title of the show.  It’s a silly thing, and I would love for the show to make a come back amongst the youth as it’s an excellent program techincally and is one of the funniest cartoons made in my lifetime. (site: cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/ppg/)

Rikku (of Final Fantasy X & Final Fantasy X-2)

Those of you in the know may already be wanting to ask, “But why just her?  Why not just say “YRP” and get a picture with Yuna and Paine in it as well?”  To you I say, “Dang, you’re pushy and a busybody!  Leave me alone,” because you didn’t even let me explain myself.  The reason is what one might call a “crush”, though I prefer to call it “blind and giddy admiration”.  I mean, the swirly green Al Bhed eyes, the tiny frame and flowing locks of hair are enough to get anyone’s attention (assuming she were more real and less fictional), but what a hero she is, helping save the world twice, and doing so the second time mainly in support of a friend.  Don’t quote me on this, but I don’t know if I could hero up like that, especially when you’re putting yourself in harms way just for a friend’s happiness.  Final Fantasy X-2 is an all-time favorite of mine and truly all 3 of the ladies were amazing examples of a woman’s power (even LeBlanc lol), but Rikku stands out to me for her expertise and fun loving, playful attitude.  Especially cool for me, Rikku was voiced by Tara Strong who has already appeared in this list, also being the voice of Bubbles on The Powerpuff Girls.  She’s sexy and talented and blonde, making the two very similar.  Plus, Al Bhed is an awesome language (that I hope to one day learn), so Rikku is hot, tough, funny, foreign, and polygonal.  I wish I could meet a down ass chick like her! (site: na.square-enix.com/games/FFX-2/)

]]> http://loveblognumber5.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/following-five-1/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:05:03 +0000 Joseph Five http://loveblognumber5.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/following-five-1/

“Following Five” is a series of posts which chronicle how lame, boring, and simple minded a person I am.  It’s also cool because reading what people were doing and thinking at specific times is a little voyeuristic.

8:45 pm: Demolition Man is on ion.  I, of course, am tuned in.  I’d be out but I partied the last few nights, and am a weakling.

8:47 pm: I can’t believe that not only is Sandra Bullock old and married to Jesse James, but Wesley Snipes is a criminal.  He’s probably also a decent fighter with all the action flicks he’s done and with his being black and all, so he’s really like Simon Phoenix.  Ha.

8:56 pm: Old movies make future technology look incredibly lame, when it’s anything but.

9:05 pm: Benjamin Bratt was awesome on Law & Order, aka Dick Wolf’s billion dollar turnkey operation.

9:19 pm: I should probably grab my phone from the other room when it rings, or bring it in here, but I’m an extremely lazy dude.

9:23 pm: It’s too long until SNL is on, because I am bored.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt is probably going to do wonderfully.  He was killer in Mysterious Skin, though the sheer amount of gay in Gregg Araki’s arsenal was staggering and disorienting.

9:42 pm: I just ate some really dank watermelon.  I now want to gorge myself on watermelon to the point of vomiting.  I know it’s not healthy, but it tastes so good I can’t help but want to destroy my health.

9:50 pm: I want to live in a world where the finest restaurant is Taco Bell, because then their food wouldn’t make me run for the border toilet.

10:02 pm: “Ahhh, that’s betta!”

10:10 pm: The Cream of Tank Girl is such an awesome book.  Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett are too cool.  Martin’s work with Ashley Wood is amazing, too.

10:23 pm: There is no way to verify it, but I’m betting that a few of my Hollywood crushes are sitting on the toilet right now.  Kinda hot, depending on if it’s #1 or #2 they’re doing.

10:43 pm: A friend of mine just told me her bank account is frozen.  LOL what a maroon!  PS: I should have said your name and you should give me money for not.

11:02 pm: Jon Reep is weird.  He’s moderately funny, has decent delivery, but the hick angle doesn’t make sense to me.

11:11 pm: I just kissed a clock and made a wish.  I’m clearly a sane, rational person.

11:30 pm: Nasim Pedrad is a delicious little thing.  Call me, girl.  I’ll make all your fantasies come true be the greatest letdown of your life.

/the live blog

Poster for Tank Girl; image courtesy of 24hourstomidnight.files.wordpress.com

So I was originally gonna roll up all cavalier-like and blurt out my opinions on Tank Girl, which I watched for the first time a few nights ago. I had some pre-conceived notions about the movie and what I’d think of it, as the film adaption of the beloved Jamie Hewlett comic is widely regarded as a commercial and critical flop.

Now I’m not entirely sure how to approach the subject matter, because a) I’m not sure how to read this movie, as it is disjointed and oftentimes inscrutable, b) I didn’t realize going into my viewing that several friends were fans of both the movie and the comic, and c) . . . I haven’t gotten around to reading the comic. I’m more than willing to read it, especially since I’m a fan of Hewlett’s work with Damon Albarn on Gorillaz and am interested in their ongoing professional relationship. I simply haven’t had the chance yet, as I just finished Truman Capote’s super-dense In Cold Blood and started Margaret Atwood’s promising The Blind Assassin. If anyone has a copy they’d like to push into my hands, my palms are flat and open.  

I'll gladly read this; image courtesy of hero-trailers.blogspot.com

But I still wanted to see the movie and write about it because:

1. Lori Petty stars as Rebecca Buck and I wish her career had taken off instead of stalling around the time of this movie’s 1995 release. While she’s recently run into some legal troubles and I still haven’t seen Point Break or Prey for Rock’N'Roll, I’ve long had a soft spot for this tough, mouthy, gender-queer tomboy ever since her turn as Kit Keller in A League of Their Own. It’s too bad that she was replaced by Sandra Bullock in Demolition Man and that Gwen Stefani sounds just like her, with both women having more visible, financially successful careers.

2. Speaking of Stefani, did she rip off Tank Girl’s style to cultivate her own look, because oh my damn do they look alike. 

But maybe I’m being unfair in pitting Petty/Tank Girl against Stefani against one another and instead should remember the cultural context from which they were formed. I’m reminded of my thesis adviser Mary Kearney, whose dissertation focused on contemporary discourses around girlhood and youth culture. Joy Van Fuqua draws on Kearney’s work in her essay ”‘What Are Those Little Girls Made Of?’ The Powerpuff Girls and Consumer Culture.” In her discussion of the show’s popularity, Van Fuqua borrows from Kearney to suggest that, like many other girl characters during the 1990s, Bubbles, Buttercup, and Blossom had to embody both genders in order to succeed in athletics and other male-dominated activities.

Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles are gonna fuck yr shit up; image courtesy of msdn.com

3. Speaking of promising actresses, Naomi Watts plays her sidekick and was a total nobody in the states when the movie was originally released. She’s also rockin’ a brunette bob haircut, which I appreciate.

4. Speaking of wacky ladies, Ann Magnuson makes an appearance as a madame who runs a state-of-the-art brothel where folks like Iggy Pop run around in drag and the talent break out into Busby Berkeley-esque routines to Cole Porter’s “Let’s Do It.”

5. Speaking of musicians, the soundtrack is an alternative rock behemoth. Hard to imagine many of the artists represented here got radio play in 1995. Alternative was commercially successful, allowing rock music to splinter off in various, musically diverse directions. Hootie was of course a major player, but Pulp could get a hit single. Beck was at this point a one-hit wonder, but was working on an era-defining record that would come out the following year. The bubble hadn’t burst yet. Man, 1995 was a strange and amazing time. Bush, Björk, Veruca Salt, L7, Belly, Portishead, Hole. They were all on commercial radio playlists and they’re also on this soundtrack.

6. Speaking of Hole, note that Courtney Love was the movie’s music consultant. Now, I’m not entirely sure what her title means here. Titles like “music consultant” and “music supervisor” tend to be flexible. The latter term is usually held by people who work closely with the director, the editor, and multiple representatives from various record labels, as well as help tend to legal matters like acquiring publishing rights, and clearing songs to be used in the movie and often the accompanying soundtrack. 

Courtney Love, 1995's burgeoning hyphenate; image courtesy of rollingstone.com (Ouderkirk/WireImage.com)

My hunch is that Love’s duties were picking what songs she liked and would work with the movie, but had little involvement in the production. After all, she was a busy lady who was trying to heal from the death of her husband, raise her daughter, become a respected actress, and headline Lollapalooza with her band Hole. I don’t think she had time to field phone calls with label execs, although I’d like to imagine what those conversations might be like.     

7. Oh, and since the first six points all involved women, let’s add the cherry on top. Tank Girl was directed by a woman named Rachel Talalay.

But as far as reading this movie . . . hummina. I don’t know what I saw. I know it takes place in what is now a not-too-distant, dystopian future and involves our fearless heroine leading a rag-tag group of girls and mutant kangaroo boys against a corrupt faction that control the earth’s water supply. Still with me? Here’s the trailer.

So, things I enjoyed or found interesting about the movie.

1. Naomi Watts kicks ass as Jet Girl. At first shy and fretful, she learns to embrace her intellect and technological savvy and develops the confidence to take charge of the crew and help beat the cast of baddies.

Jet Girl holding it down; image courtesy of kideternal.com

2. Tank Girl has strong relationships with Jet Girl and Rebecca, Tank Girl’s boyfriend’s young daughter. Homosocial bonding and female mentorship, holla!

3. OMG, the costumes. They could be a chapter in a dissertation on third-wave feminism’s fragmentive, performative, and self-reflexive relationship with fashion (note: if such a chapter exists, I want to read it). Tank Girl never wears the same outfit or hair color twice, and her wardrobe toys with historical periods, film genres, youth culture movements, often playing with age, gender, and race as well.

What are you wearing, Tank Girl?, image courtesy of theage.com.au

4. I can’t tell if Ann Magnuson’s Madame, who briefly kidnaps and attempts to employ Rebecca, is a sex-positive feminist, a critique against the then-timely rise of media’s interest in d0-me feminism, or just morally bankrupt.

And then there were things I hated.

1. While Tank Girl’s costuming is fascinating, that’s really the extent of her characterization. Much of this seems to be the fault of the writing. Petty is engaging enough, but Tank Girl is written as less a complex action heroine and more of a buzzword-and-slogan dispenser. Thus, she brings to mind characters like Itchy and Scratchy’s Poochie, who was created to make fun of corporate-friendly extreme, in-your-face, subcultural cash cows. Perhaps her perceived lack of depth speaks to the awkward process of adapting a comic book into a movie, but her cinematic flatness betrays the torpedo bras.

Torpedo bras don't always provide dimension; image courtesy of mermaidligan.blogspot.com

2. Tank Girl also kicks a disappointing lack of ass here and has questionable methods. I can’t speak to her defense strategies in the comic, but the movie repeatedly has her lure disgusting men with her feminine wiles. Sometimes they get kicked in the balls, but she still shows them her bra or promises sexual favors beforehand.

3. Man, how did Malcolm MacDowell fool people into thinking he could act? He’s the villainous Kesslee here and is making himself quite the ham sandwich. Some may want to bring up Al Pacino and note that some actors deliver progressively broader performances as they age, but I think MacDowell’s accent played a role in snowing audiences as well. I think his Britishness even convinced people he was better in If . . . and A Clockwork Orange than he actually was. Charismatic and handsome? Yes. Once a great actor? I don’t think so.

4. I feel like there’s something racially problematic about the mutant kangaroo soldiers who take up with Tank Girl’s crew. Thoughts?

In short, Tank Girl makes for a maddening but interesting spectatorial experience. Now to get a hold of the source material . . .

Sim, ele mesmo o bruxo satanista rabugento o mais renomado autor de quadrinhos, com obras como V de Vingança, Liga Extraordinária e Watchmen (considerada por muitos nerds a maior HQ de todos os tempos) resolveu escrever um libreto para a “banda” GorillaZ…

Pra quem não conhece o GorillaZ é uma banda virtual em animação gerida pela dupla Damon Albarn e Jamie Hewlett, este ultimo já envolvido com a HQ Tank Girl… E pra quem não sabe o que é um libreto, é o texto usado em uma peça musical como opera (opera rock no caso da banda) ou cantata…

Para a Opera (rock) de “Journey to the West” a dupla procurou uma lenda viva das histórias em quadrinhos. “Eles vieram até Northampton semana passada porque estamos planejando para eu fazer o libreto em sua ópera seguinte”, comenta Moore, que refere-se a dupla como GorillaZ…

Não se sabe ao certo os rumos do projeto, pois o trio faz segredo e deixa os fãs de Hqs e da banda Blur (de Damon) ansiosos…

Nos ultimos dias, Moore está dedicado a Dodgem Logic, um bi-nova revista mensal. Ela tem como objetivo capturar “o espírito underground dos anos 60″, utilizando de quadrinhos, ensaios, receitas, exames longo do anarquismo (tema muito explorado por Moore) e também, Albarn e Hewlett.

Can’t believe I missed this, but Gorillaz finally released the documentary Bananaz. It’s over a year old and chronicles the many aspects of the band from 2000-06. I haven’t been able to find any torrents for it, so I can’t say whether it’s good or not. But, if you feel like getting it the old fashioned way and have an extra 30+ bucks lying around, Amazon’s got ya covered. Hopefully I’ll get around to seeing it soon so I can tell ya’ll about it. I’m sure it’s bananaz.

- Christian BC

Check out the fabulous trailer that was just released in anticipation for the new Rockband game, The Beatles coming out September 9th.  It was done by Jamie Hewlett , British comic book artist best known for his work on the Gorillaz. Have a look and Thanks @propergentleman for the submission

mediahustler had the great fortune to meet up with grafitti veteran CHU today.

Visiting his Hackney based studio was a great experience, the guy has been doing this since the early eighties and it is evident he has gotten it down to a fine art. Looking at some of his latest work, there is definitely no sign of him slowing down – in fact, it appears things get better with age…

Above and beyond the usual tags on the streets these days, CHU is pushing out some special pieces that set him aside from the rest of the spray-can bandits, one example of this being his work with 3D in which his manipulation of stereoscopics mean his projects really do jump of their surface – it’s massively impressive and word on the street is, CHU will be doing a one off, ‘big project’ to mark the 10th anniversary of this procedure and to pay homage to one of his biggest inspirations that will blow Londoners minds!

To see some examples of the Walsall born artist including collaborations with the Tank Girl and Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett for the ‘ Monkey Train ‘ in which the two decorated a Virgin Pendolino (9 carriages) train on its maiden voyage to Manchester Piccadilly depicting a scene each from the forthcoming theatre production of ‘Monkey: Journey to the West’.

Click here. for his portfolio and find some examples of his work below…

(3D self-portrait)

(freestyle on static tube train in East London)

CHU also mentioned he will be doing a lot of live work over the summer including some stuff at Glastonbury so if you are there make sure you check him out as you won’t be disappointed.

WATCH-ME-MAN! 

I’m not sure what to write about this. Or, more to the point, I’m not sure what I need to write about this to capture your attention, that isn’t already written in the bio below. It’s a documentary about how Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett came to create the Gorillaz; an hour and a half of my life well spent.

WATCH VIDEO – CLICK HERE


“This incredible film, “Bananaz” removes the secretive, mucky walls of Gorillaz, the cartoon band created by artist Jamie Hewlett & musician Damon Albarn, smashing down all artificial barriers to reveal the full and filthy details behind this awe-inspiring band. Audiences see just what director Ceri Levy saw over seven years of mayhemical creative madness… a lot of it too graphic for mortal eyes to behold…Bananaz is Levy’s story of the partnership & community behind Gorillaz. He takes you into the studio and out onto the road with this virtual phenomenon, showing a part of Gorillaz never seen before – reality. As one radio interviewer puts it, “It’s a parallel universe – these guys aren’t in the band but they know the animated characters who are”. Bananaz is an honest, often hilarious account of the working relationship between Albarn & Hewlett, and the rise to success with Gorillaz – from the initial embryonic conception through to global domination. Also in focus are many of the conspirators & collaborators that came along for the ride, including Dennis Hopper, De la Soul, D12, Ibrahim Ferrer, Bootie Brown, Dangermouse & more. Contains strong language. WARNING: Some footage in this film includes a strobing effect, which may affect viewers with photo-sensitive epilepsy and other such conditions.”

Bananaz is a film that takes you behind the scenes of the ultra secretive cartoon band Gorillaz, created by artist Jamie Hewlett & musician Damon Albarn. Ceri Levy followed the bad for over 7yrs watching them record, play and engage with their cartoon alter egos. He captures the band right through their creative madness stages, gets their opinion on the state of modern music and lots more juicy info about what inspired them all to create this phenomenal virtual band.

The film takes us from the studio recordings and on to the road. Its an honest, brilliant and hilarious movie charting their rise to success.  If you ever saw Levy’s1993 documentary Starshaped, which covered the rise of Blur, you know he has a style of getting under the skin of bands to bring you the reality behind it.

Click on the following link to watch and enjoy it: Bananaz @ Babelgum.com

Along with Jean Jullien I feel like Roman is one of the best artist out there right now.

At the age of 23 Roman Muradov is in a league of his own making some of the coolest art I’ve ever seen (like I seriously need his stuff in my room). As you can tell by his name he is Russian but currently resides in San Francisco. His drawing style reminds people of that of Jamie Hewlett (Gorillaz artist), which can either be bad for Roman or good (depending on how he sees it).  Unlike most artist who claim that duplicating their art for sale take away from its meaning, Roman sells his art through his website as posters and t-shirts. Which is a good thing because I’m going to get that “More Awesomeness Please” poster (so don’t buy them all before I get to it).

Check him out at his site titled Blue Bed. Did I mention he is color blind? O_o

I’ve liked the artwork of Jamie Hewlett since his days drawing Tank Girl for Deadline magazine, and I’ve liked Blur since, well, Blur and so I was delighted when Damon and Jamie got together to create Gorillaz. Someone else liked the idea enough to film the project from early days and put together this fun documentary and now you can watch it for free on the internet, I’ll give you a teaser below and if you like what you see you can watch the whole thing here. Enjoy!

This incredible film, “Bananaz” removes the secretive, mucky walls of Gorillaz, the cartoon band created by artist Jamie Hewlett & musician Damon Albarn, smashing down all artificial barriers to reveal the full and filthy details behind this awe-inspiring band. Audiences see just what director Ceri Levy saw over seven years of mayhemical creative madness… a lot of it too graphic for mortal eyes to behold…Bananaz is Levy’s story of the partnership & community behind Gorillaz. He takes you into the studio and out onto the road with this virtual phenomenon, showing a part of Gorillaz never seen before – reality. As one radio interviewer puts it, “It’s a parallel universe – these guys aren’t in the band but they know the animated characters who are”. Bananaz is an honest, often hilarious account of the working relationship between Albarn & Hewlett, and the rise to success with Gorillaz – from the initial embryonic conception through to global domination. Also in focus are many of the conspirators & collaborators that came along for the ride, including Dennis Hopper, De la Soul, D12, Ibrahim Ferrer, Bootie Brown, Dangermouse & more. Contains strong language. WARNING: Some footage in this film includes a strobing effect, which may affect viewers with photo-sensitive epilepsy and other such conditions.

WATCH ENTIRE MOVIE HERE!!!

Gorillaz was like a musical revolution to me. On this album in particular each song is so different, pulling from all sorts of influences, and yet there is a tone to the album in its lyrics casting off ideas about what a band is, or what genre they might be. (That is how they get classified as both “Brit Pop” and “Alternative Hip Hop” at the same time). I really thought this sort of collaborative music and group might spawn others, but I have yet to see any lasting or substantial evidence of that. I’m still hopeful it will and I’m hopeful it will not be too long before we see another album from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s creation.

Click here for more info on Gorillaz – Demon Days – “Feel Good Inc.”.

The MP3 may be purchased here:

Gorillaz - Demon Days

I definitely fuck with Gorillaz. Damon Albarn is one of my heros.

“This incredible film, “Bananaz” removes the secretive, mucky walls of Gorillaz, the cartoon band created by artist Jamie Hewlett & musician Damon Albarn, smashing down all artificial barriers to reveal the full and filthy details behind this awe-inspiring band.”

You can watch it online here.

Calz1.

Jamie Hewlett , artista británico creador de tiras cómicas y diseñador; es conocido por ser el autor de Tank Girl (tira cómica anarquista sobre una chica punk que manejaba un tanque y tenía a una canguro mutante como novio) y cocreador (junto con Damon Albarn de Blur) de la banda Gorillaz.

Al año pasado, para los Juegos Olímpicos, realizaron esta pieza para la campaña de la BBC Sport’s:

Aquí (web de la BBC) podeis ver unas fotografía de como se hizo este spot o descargarte unas caretas con sus personajes.

David Choong Lee

For the next four weeks all you rabid Gorillaz fans (me included) can stream their new documentary Bananaz via the site Babelgum. It’ll be nice to see the band in actual live setting and not with their cartoon personas plastered all over the screen, so I’ve got high hopes. The theatrical release is set for sometime in June and the DVD copies if you so choose to order one will be shipped out soon after this four week streaming period ends. So check it out if you’ve got a spare hour and a half, I’m sure it will worth your while.

or… watch the trailer first:

Monkey es el proyecto mas ambicioso que ha lanzado el buen genio Damon Albarn (luego posteamos mas de sus invenciones), se junto de nuevo con Jamie Hewlett (el que dibujo a Gorillaz), y decidieron presentar una onda opera-rock o mas bien opera-circus llamada Monkey: Journey to the West, en la que Albarn hizo el score musical y Hewlett el disenio de los vestuarios, el set y la onda visual. Se presento desde Junio del 2007 hasta Enero de este anio en diversos festivales y foros teatrales en Londres, Europa y Estados Unidos con bailarines, acrobatas, musicos y pantallas, todo un viaje. Escuchen el disco, definitivamente es un trip que por lo menos yo no habia escuchado con nada parecido.

http://www.mediafire.com/?m24qven1jm1