Gorillaz, The Singles Collection 2001-2011 (Parlophone) **** (From York Press)

Gorillaz, The Singles Collection 2001-2011 (Parlophone) ****

11:20am Friday 23rd December 2011 in CD reviews By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

Sleeve: Barrage of images featuring the band’s cartoon personas.

Sleevenotes: For once, Damon Albarn seems happy to let the music do the talking.

Content: 15 tracks in their right place, starting with material from Gorillaz’ eponymous debut, although there’s nothing from 2011 album The Fall.

High point: Spaced-out Feel Good Inc and Shaun Ryder-assisted/ mangled Dare from second album Demon Days.

Low point: Even Super Furry Animals spearhead Gruff Rhys can’t rescue Superfast Jellyfish, while Doncamatic and El Manana make it through instead of...

Glaring omissions: Excellent Revolving Doors and Amarillo from The Fall.

Anything new? Remixes of Clint Eastwood and 19-2000 which you’ve probably heard already.

Cheerful or tearful excuse for release? Shows how something that started out as an art-house joke developed into one of the most inspired and diverse musical projects of the past decade.

Where might this end up at Christmas? The loved one with quirkier music tastes who was once a Gorillaz cynic and is now a believer.