Demon Days (by Gorillaz, Alternative Rock)

common sense media says

Lives up to high expectations; not for kids.


parents & educators say
  • 29% say violence is an issue
  • 29% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the lyrics contain some violent imagery and references to drugs and alcohol.

Positive messages: It's really all over the place -- some great positive messages, also darkly negative ones.
Violence: A fair amount of violent imagery, some of it with a message on nonviolence.
Sex: Some sexual innuendo.
Language: A couple of four-letter words.
Consumerism: Nothing to worry about.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Several references to drugs and drinking, in a cartoon-y way.

More on Demon Days

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what musical elements combine to make the Gorillaz sound so fresh and innovative.

What's the story?

What's the story?
The Gorillaz' self-titled debut album, a quirky little side project populated by animated characters devised by illustrator Jamie Hewlett and Blur frontman Damon Albarn, surprised the world by becoming a platinum-selling hit. Expectations were high for this follow-up project -- and DEMON DAYS more than meets expectations. Albarn (a.k.a. 2D) and DJ Danger Mouse co-produced this time around, with some lively and innovative tracks. Some surprise guest singers perform (Dennis Hopper takes a spoken-word spin on "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head," for example), but the real stars of the show are innovation and creativity.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Lyrics explore darker themes than on the previous CD, with many references to guns, drugs, and alcohol. But the underlying messages seem to be neither anti nor pro, and the lyrics are nonsensical enough to soften the visceral power of any violent imagery. "Drinking out/Pacifier/Sinking soul/There you are/But it won't be long/Cause kids with guns/Kids with guns/Easy does it, easy does it, they got something to say mental," bouncing along over bright, perky instrumental tracks ends up sounding pretty ineffectual and cartoony, as violent lyrics go. Demon Days does not sound like anything else out there, and that's a refreshing and wonderful thing.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: May 24, 2005
Label: Virgin Records
Genre: Alternative Rock

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 29% say violence is an issue
  • 29% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Best Rock Album of '05
It's sad that in today's world the best rock album of 2005 is done by a fictional band. Don't let it stop you from really exploring the Gorillaz world. Amazing.

evanesence14
teen, 14 years old
 
Great CD
I love it. I love it. I love it! This is an awesome Cd. Though not marked explicit, It still uses some foul language. But still a great Cd. Recommended for responsible children.

Zapooo
teen, 16 years old
 
Song By Song
This album is the "Sgt. Pepper's" of Gorillaz. The songs are somewhat dark, but they have a good message. Song by song, 1. Intro- Nothing here just a string riff and some sound effects 2. Last Living Souls- A synth bases song. It's direct lyrics are about finding your the last living souls. 3. Kids With Guns- The song is about the way people change who they are when they have a weapon and all their judgement goes away. (Anti-gun/war) 4. O Green World- The song is a funky rock piece. The lyrics are about pollution and consumption. 5. Dirty Harry- The song may or may not be about war, its hard to tell. 6. Feel Good Inc- This song's meaning is debated, but I personally believe its about manufactured happiness (iPods, video games, etc) and how it should be avoided. 7. El Mananna- A sad love song. No political message. 8. Every Planet We Reach is Dead- A synth based blues song (featuring Ike Turner!) That tells about how the world is dying based on how humans are destroying its resources. 9. November Has Come- A rap/funk song about how you never know what you got till its gone. 10. White Light- A techno/punk piece about how much anger people have after consuming drugs/alcohol 11. Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head- A story about how "The Happy Folk"'s lives are ruined when "Strange Folk" come to town and mine their mountain (called "Monkey") thus depleating resources due to greed. 12. Dont Get Lost in Heaven- tells how if you ignore the problems in your world, you wont help anyone and you will live blissfully ignorant. 13. Demon Days- A reggae/gospel song about how its not a horrible world, we can fix it. Thats all the songs (I may have gotten the order mixed up)

lilly117
teen, 16 years old
 
Great!! But Before You Jump In, Read This
Gorillaz have done it again!! Another hit for the foursome we all love!! Parents, you'll wanna share this music with your children, but you won't wanna have them listening to it alone. Dark,gothic messages can otherwise tramutize the child mind. Also, Feel Good Inc. and other songs have refferences to sex. As long as you swipe the messages from your child's mind, you can enjoy a great party with the Gorillaz!!

BlueRocks360
kid, 13 years old
 
Awesomest Band Ever!!!
THIS IS THE BEST BAND EVER!!!!! But you may wanna watch out for the language. :)

Hoot
adult
 
Amazing
Gorillaz are a strange group,the combination of hip-hop, pop and ballards is amazing, while some of the lyricsare a bit iffy as is white lights cd cover but apart fromthat is perfect for 11Y+. Some of the song names are a bit alarming though

Rogue, barn owl
teen, 14 years old
 
Demon Days Rocks!- Rogue's Review
This is great dance track to listen to. My personnal favourite is All Alone, and all of the songs are awesome to listen to.

Yangy
teen, 15 years old
 
Great band
You can't exactly complain about language, because half the time you can't understand what they're saying. Fantastic music, nearly all the songs are good (usually there are quite a lot of duds on any album). Try the first Gorillaz album if you like electonic sound.

~Melancholy~
kid, 12 years old
 
Gorillaz=GOOD.
Okay, all I want to say about this album is 1) The music is great, and sends a positive message. 2) If your child is 9 and up, they hear way more cussing at school then in this album, so don't freak out over the first word you hear. 3) I've been obsessed with the Gorillaz for a while now, and the way I see it, your kids SHOULD look it up. Not a way for the Gorillaz to become role models, no no no. They have a pretty messed up backstory, and I think exposing children to situations like that is a good thing. And, to end my ranting, my mother actually introduced me to this band when I was around seven or eight years old. So, if I could take it, I'm sure that they could take it.

2D
teen, 14 years old
 
good album\
I think it is not that bad. there are only a couple bad words in some songs, so if you don't want your kids using them skip those ones.not as good as their new album .

PersinmGlitch
kid, 13 years old
 
DARK
There is some cursing and pretty dark things in it Like the El Manana music video had Noodle being shot down on the floating island,But it is still a very well done album,so i only recomend it if your parents allow it.

barlek
kid, 13 years old
 
Very good!
It is a very good album that addresses the problems in this world

SystemOfANintendo
parent of and 2 , 11 , 14 , 18 year old
 
Amazing!
A great album! Although there's some violent imagery, as well as some swearing, it sends great messages! Off for 7 and under, iffy for 8-9, on for 10+! It's only bad for the on ages if you're the over-obsessed parents who wrote the CSM review!

pondo
teen, 13 years old
 
not for young kids, but a great album
i admit, not all the lyrics are kid friendly, but any swearing is usally by rappers, who say it so fast you carnt even hear them, and there is no lyrics book, the songs themsleves are amazing, tracks like feel good inc., el manana and dare are great tracks, i rate this on for responsible 12 year olds and up

 

rimokina
kid, 12 years old
 
meh, I love it, but not for those parents who try to protect there kids from all the "evils" of the world
personally I love it, but its kind of weird, the music videos and backstorys in particular, for example, the lead singer's eyes are pushed deep into his head and filled with blood, looking like he doesnt have eyes.

HTFMime
teen, 16 years old
 
You have to be 16 to listen to Gorillaz? I started listening to them at a young age!
When I was 8 I started listening to this animated group and was liking them. I would even play Gorillaz at school during free time and my teacher didn't gave me detention or anything! So why do you have to be at least 16 for it? I know it uses words like f--k and s--t but come on! Maybe it should be at least iffy for kids 10+ and more apporite for kids 14+.

Lukepi
teen, 16 years old
 
Great Music.
Avoid some songs, but overall a great listen.

jason24589
teen, 15 years old
 
Great album! Read this!!!
When I was a kid (8 years old), I watched the music video from the music video channel titled "DARE" (when I see the music video, its very cartoon-ic) then, I love to listen that song. Back in November, When I saw Gorillaz and I want to find the song "DARE" so they made it. and I started listening to some songs from Gorillaz including 19/2000 from their self-titled album. Well, El Manana is very bad because the song is very dark and not good for kids. Feel Good Inc. has a sexual languages because when I read the whole lyrics like "Lining them up-a like a** cracks" and "Its my chocolate attack.". For those if you read this comment internationally, just Google "chocolate attack" :)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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