Gorillaz

The Gorillaz is Blur frontman Damon Albarn's hip-hop/electronica cartoon concept band. While real-life participants have included such luminaries as Dan the Automator, Danger Mouse, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, De La Soul, and Shuan Ryder, the Gorillaz are represented by 2D, Murdoc, Russel, and Noddle--four animated rock-&-roll apes created by comic book artist Jamie Hewlett. One might imagine a virtual band to be a tough sell, but in fact the Gorillaz have released two successful full-length albums and scored international hits with 2001's "Clint Eastwood" and 2005's "Dirty Harry."

• pop
• alternative/indie