Despite Blur's many highs, there was always a suspicion Damon Albarn was a pony equipped with a solitary trick.

Sure, he could fire off a Kinks-ean lament at the drop of a Cockernee cap. But when he and Graham Coxon separated and Damon dabbled with "cartoon" dance, it made many fans despair.

The first Gorillaz album was gimmicky, but this is a dark, broody stunner. Albarn's aching vocals on Feel Good Inc. and November Has Come feature melodies not bettered since Beetlebum.

The dance beats, fuelled by co-producer Danger Mouse, are so crisp and funky they wouldn't shame Beck. Add cameos from De La Soul, a gospel choir, Shaun Ryder (yes) and Dennis Hopper (on a spooky narrative), and you've got a genre-defying epic.

Forget one-trick ponies: Gorillaz are turning into one talented multi-tasking monkey.

Updated: 12:45 Thursday, May 26, 2005