Journey to the West

If you play the preview of the song before you buy it, it sounds like Homer Simpson is in it

People, Monkey isn’t a band. This album called “Monkey Journey to the West” is a recording of a modern day Chinese Opera. The only reason that this is connected to the Gorrilaz in any way because Damon was the Composer. The author and director of the play was a Chinese actor named Chen Shi-zheng. There won’t be another album by “Monkey” because its not a band, again its a studio recording of a Chinese opera. The opera is a stage production of a novel call “Journey to The west” and is about the gods creating this monkey from a stone egg and then telling him, and Buddah’s disciples, to guide Buddah to the path of enlightenment. I am glad to see so many people enjoying a modern take on classical opera, but you have it wrong to think that this is a side band of the guys from Gorrilaz because its not.

This album left me praising Albarn's genius while at the same time fuming with agonized grief over his musical integrity. Most of the songs actually used in the opera itself were left out of the album. Albarn felt that releasing a recording of the entire show would seem false like " movie or cartoon music" I love the entire thing, and it really turned me on to Chinese culture and folklore, but I can't help but feel embittered by the fact that I'll never get the true musical and visual experience that this work of genius spawned from. I don't think of it as Gorillaz material in any way, its far better than that.

One of the best albums to draw/paint to EVER!!! The gorillas were great, and this one is an extension of that. It might not be the soundtrack to the opera some were hoping for, but as an album it is a masterpiece!

wow. an amazing album! i would love to actually see this. but just listening to it is still breath taking. a beautifully composed album that will definitely take you to another world. Loved this album and i highly recommend it!

Having read "Journey to the West" I was excited to hear this, but surprised at just how wonderful each track really is. While I listen I can perfectly imagine all the various scenes in the story. For those who have read the original tale and like electronica, this is something not to miss out on.

Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn (creators of Gorillaz) show true creativity in this album. When I first heard Monkey Bee I was amazed. The vocalists featured in this are extremely talented. If you are a fan of new progressive forms of music you will love Journey to the West.

On one hand, Damon Albarn's fingerprints are all over this album. On the other hand, this is entirely new. Fans of the Ravenous soundtrack will recognize many of the same stylistic techniques of suprising, repeating rhythms and choice of orchestration. But the tenderness, lamentation, and militant qualities of earlier (non-Blur) work pronounces itself more fully here, more like real emotion. For a special treat, read the book.

i gave it 4 stars because i do enjoy the music and would have liked it even better if this wasn't the final CD from the gorillaz crew (and more) i am a huge fan of gorillaz and am sad to know that its basically over but i do enjoy this music in it's own unique way

This album brings back fond memories of the performance I saw at the Royal Opera House, though I wonder how much sense the music alone will make to people who haven't seen Monkey performed. The imagery on stage was very important to the piece.