Everyone's favourite super-cool cartoon indie stars are back with a new album, but don't get too excited; D-Sides is one of those - uh-oh - dreaded B-sides, rarities and remixes collections. A two-disc set, featuring outtakes and demos from the Demon Days sessions, it's the fictional musicians' second album of corresponding material, just as 2002's G-Sides was the flipside to their self-titled debut. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's animated creations have undoubtedly provided one of the strangest, and certainly one of the most intriguing concepts in music over the past five years or so; but somehow, they've also managed to be one of the most innovative, thanks to Albarn. D-Sides won't rip you a new earhole or leave you lost for words, but as B-side collections go, it's quite good - even though the inevitable lack of cohesion fails to adequately exhibit the band's inventiveness. Instrumental opener 68 State sets the tone nicely, crammed with electronic bleeps and gadgetry; Hongkongaton's dreamy beat is lightly brushed with a ska vibe; the beautiful Hong Kong sees Albarn at his woozy warbling crooner finest, and Don't Get Lost In Heaven, one of the more candidly indie-pop tracks here, even sounds like a Super Furry Animals number. There's obviously an adequate amount of filler here, too, however; We Are Happy Landfill and The Swagga are best forgotten, and even The Bees' contributions can't prevent Bill Murray from lumbering. Disc 2 fares similarly, with impressive remixes from DFA, Hot Chip and Soulwax amongst others. As compilations go, this is fine - but make sure you've heard its progenitor first. Oh, and the deluxe edition, complete with stickers, badges and even a sew-on patch, is well worth splashing out for.
