When Gorillaz self-titled debut album was released in 2001, it certainly felt like just another Dan The Automator multi-collaborative masterpiece in the same vein as his other one-off genius projects such as Dr. Octagon, Deltron 3030 and Lovage. But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum that no one could have seen coming. On the strength of the ultra catchy singles "Clint Eastwood" and "19-2000", and Jamie Hewlett's clever animation, Gorillaz became a platinum selling smash. After the smoke had cleared though, everyone involved (mainly head singing Gorilla/Blur front man Damon Albarn) went back to their day jobs, and everyone pretty much figured that the one-trick-pony had been put out to pasture - especially after Albarn released Blur's critically hailed 2003 comeback album Think Tank.

Fast-forward a year, and how odd it seemed that Albarn was talking about making another Gorillaz album. Didn't he get the memo that Gorillaz was done? Apparently not, because the next thing you know, everyone involved except Hewlett had been replaced (including founder Dan The Automator) and Gorillaz was now Albarn's very own solo project. Inflated ego (Albarn's calling card) would surely kill any hope for a sophomore success - wouldn't it? Well . . . let's just say Damon's on a roll.

Said follow-up, Demon Days, is a meatier beast than its predecessor in nearly every way imaginable, mostly due to the sure-fire talent that Albarn had the wisdom to surround himself with. Automator is gone and you're worried about the production? Have no fear because Danger Mouse, fresh off of his Jay-Z meets the Beatles mash-up The Grey Album, is here to wow the pants off you. Think you're gonna miss Del tha Funkee Homosapien's clever raps? Think again, because MF Doom, Roots Manuva and De La Soul (the latter guesting on the superb first single "Feel Good Inc.") will make you forget all about him.

Oh no! The funkiness furnished by the Tom Tom Club's Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth's is absent! But wait, is that Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays making a welcome comeback on "Dare?" Groovy baby! And who could possibly replace the dead sexy vocals of Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori? Well, you couldn't do a whole lot better than Martina Topley-Bird on "All Alone" could you? For every ounce of skepticism you might bring along as you unwrap Demon Days, it will be replaced three-fold with a sense of awe - I promise you. Who's gonna fault Albarn for being an egomaniac now? Don't look at me.