Gorillaz

In case you haven't already heard, here's the lowdown.

Two years ago, former flatmates Damon Albarn of Blur and Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett came up with the notion of creating the UK's first virtual band.

Hailing from all over the globe, the four members of Gorillaz are lean, savvy, streetwise characters. These guys (and one gal) have a rep to maintain, so they've roped in the best talent available to help them on their eponymous album.

Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Tom Tom Club's Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer and Albarn himself all came good for the band, pitching in whenever Gorillaz needed some extra help.

The finished product makes for intriguingly eclectic listening. From pop to punk, dub to country, the fifteen tracks operate as a pastiche of contemporary sound.

Gorillaz never make the mistake of cluttering their music with too many genres at one time, though. Neither do they overdo their programming wizardry. While quirky beats and bass lines often take pre-eminence over vocals, the atmosphere is restrained rather than over the top.

In fact, with the exception of first single, 'Clint Eastwood', on the best tracks the music comes on much like the soundtrack to a really good suspense film. On 'Tomorrow Comes Today' and 'Sound Check', haunting piano and throbbing beats finely complement 2D's (assisted by Albarn) lugubrious vocals, while 'Double Bass' sees the band delve into even moodier, more dramatic territory.

The album could have done with some paring down of tracks. 'Starshine' and 'Man Research' are less than necessary, while 'Punk' doesn't do anything Elastica haven't already had a stab at.

Still, pretty good going for a manufactured band.