Gorillaz – Demon Days

When Damon Albarn, a member of the former British band Blur, released the first Gorillaz album in 2001, it was something that most people had not heard before. A virtual pop group of cartoon monkeys is not something you listen to everyday. This time, Albarn is collaborating with Danger Mouse, the man behind the controversial underground Grey Album, to produce the new album of Gorillaz.

While you may expect from this band a light, cool music, this album is actually darker and colder than you can expect. Even though this album is less focused on hip-hop than the ones before, but still, the music is unique and original. If you liked their older stuff, you will probably like this album, too. My rating: 3.5/5.

Changing Times?

Last week, the students’ committees at a KSU college have hosted a lecture by Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Al-Hussain, president of King Abdul-Aziz Center for National Dialogue (KAACND). The subject of the lecture was on nationalism, and its role in Islam.

I did not know that KAACND has a president. Actually, the only person I know to be related to KAACND is Dr. Faisal Bin Moa’mmar, the general secretary. However, what is interesting about the lecture is this: Isn’t Sheikh Al-Hussain one of the very same group of scholars who used to warn us from celebrating the national day and nationalism in general, considering that against the teachings of Islam?

And, btw, I would like to take this chance to thank King Abdullah for his decision to make the national day a holiday, and to allow us to celebrate it like every other civilized and uncivilized country in this world.