This two-disc releases heavily connects to Gorillaz’ 2005 album, Demon Days, as it’s compiled largely of early cuts and remixes of tracks from that album. The first disc is largely made of b-side candidates for Demon Days, while the second disc is full of remixes. It’s an interesting look back at such a successful album, but lacks any of the vibe that made it so compelling.
Disc one could be described as Albarn & Co.’s sidetracks. They seem somewhat focused, but never achieve wholeness like the Demon Days efforts did. The first track, "68 State" is a cooled-out, synthy bounce-beat that gets cycled through some highly distorted guitars in a semi-climax. "People" features a lazy Albarn vocal track on an electro-groove that became "Dare". "Hongkongaton" is a mellow, yet highly-effected track, with blips and buzzes coming from all directions. "We Are Happy Landfill" is the most complete so far, with a harmonic intro pushing into a towering buzz and Albarn’s scratchy shout.
"Hong Kong" is a backlit gem originally made for the War Child compilation, here as a seven-minute turning point of D-Sides. "Highway (Under Construction)" is a calm organ jam, and "Rockit" involves spacey effects and several dozen "Blah-blahs" from Albarn. "Bill Murray" is an electro-reggae offering with video game effects, and "The Swagga" has some nifty futurefunk in it. "Murdoc Is God" is washed the most by the production treatment, and "Spitting Out the Demons" introduces a hip-hop vibe. A cool demo version of "Don’t Get Lost In Heaven" and an acoustic, twilight "Stop the Dams" finishes off the first half.
The second disc is full of remixes of perhaps Demon Days‘ most mixable tracks, yet none are as gripping as their originals. DFA remixes "Dare" on the first track, stretching it out to twelves minutes of a cowbell-flavored dance beat. The Stanton Brothers mix of "Feel Good Inc" injects a club-jungle beat and unfortunately cures the fever that infected the original so beautifully. "Kids With Guns (Jamie T’s Turns To Monsters Mix)" includes a semi-rap and tons more effects, and essentially strips out the original. Soulwax’s take on "Dare" is much like the first, but highlighted by blips instead of cowbell. Hot Chip claps out "Kids With Guns" a little plainly before Metronomy actually makes "El Manana" shine by turning it into something like a drugged-out dance track. Junior Sanchez gives a rock twist to the final "Dare" mix, and it works nicely. The "Schtung Chinese New Year Remix" of "Dirty Harry" is a Chinese lyrical mix, and the album finishes with "Kids With Guns" turning into a tranced-out, housey Quiet Village mix that runs for ten minutes.
D-Sides isn’t particularly essential, as it only offers a glimpse into the Gorillaz mind, which for a two-disc compilation, is pretty meager. Unflattering mixes coat the second disc, while the first never quite gets off the ground. It won’t make for a good conversation piece, but maybe an icebreaker at least.
