The word is out and it’s certainly buzzing loud and clear. The Good, The Bad, & The Queen (TGTBTQ) comes together with heavy duty star power. This incredible line up looks like this: Paul Simonon (The Clash) on bass; Tony Allen (Fela Kuti & Africa 70) on drums; Simon Tong (the Verve) on guitar and finally Damon Albarn, whose work credits include Blur and Gorillaz, on vocals/keys. If nothing else, it can be asserted that this self-titled release is unconventional. Still, to say only this would be to seriously undermine their efforts, and the fact remains that TGTBTQ refuses to stick to modern (or past, for that matter) definitions of song structure and composition. This is probably the most obvious attribute of the full-length debut.

The album is comprised of 12 tracks produced by none other than Danger Mouse, adding percussions and synth in a few of the recordings, respectively. Given Damon’s brief lyrical gestures, his point of view raises current complex state of affairs (of the heart and otherwise). The CD isn’t completely political but some poetic justice springs forth in songs like “History Song,” with stripped down dub bass lines as Damon refrains "if you don’t know it now then you will do." “80s Life” delivers sweet misery in a piercing but choppy piano chord shaping doo-wop bass and harmonies. “Herculean” strikes a modern pop and rock twist in a muffled voice fx. Many of the tracks are laced with thick dub bass lines, spacey keys with moodiness and subtleties. The guitar and drum arrangements are etched precisely in each song without brassiness or repetition. Other standouts are “Kingdom Doom,” “Three Changes” and “Behind the Sun”.

The band’s unwillingness to stay within the norm makes this refreshing and that’s why listening to ‘TGTBTQ’ over and over again, each time helps to understand a little better what they have done – which is nothing short of groundbreaking.