I have to admit that over the years I have had a few man crushes. This does not mean I want to buy roses and chocolates and ride around central park with these dudes, I just find something about them engaging. Not surprisingly, most of said crushes have a direct correlation to my love of all things “Les Habitants”. My last man crush was on ex-Habs defenseman Mike Komisarek. He smashed people into the boards, fought guys that got on his nerves and probably made a mean penne carbonara. Then, out of nowhere, he stabbed me in the back by signing with the hated Toronto maple leafs. Less likely to betray me is another one of my long standing man crushes: ex-blur front man, Damon Albarn.

Albarn’s combination of progressive thinking, musical diversity, and roguish Han Solo good looks make a combination that cannot be beat. Though I am not a huge Blur fan aside from a few standout tracks like Tender, his more recent work is eclectic and awe inspiring. Most famous is the cartoon art band project “Gorillaz”. I didn’t really get Gorillaz until I stumbled across this live concert of the Gorillaz playing their incredible album “Demon Days” end to end. The concert includes a full orchestra, a b boy children’s choir, and a super wasted Shaun Ryder singing the party track, “dare”. I don’t think I blinked for over an hour. Another example of Albarn’s creative chops is this pre-Avatar 3D animated performance with a nimble Madonna.

This week, Gorillaz released a new album and saved my spring super sweeps season. Every year around this time bands go into a LP releasing frenzy in preparation for the summer festival tours. I am always pumped for this because this usually leads to what I like to call the spring super song (SSS). This song rockets up my Itunes playlist and defines a usually happy and carefree time of budding trees and shedding clothing. I couldn’t believe that after releases from surefire bands like Spoon, Vampire Weekend, and Lady Gaga, no SSS had found its way to my ear drum. Then I heard “Empire Ants”. This tour de force is like two songs in one, starting slow with a nice little two step beat. It reminds me of having an evening picnic involving a pretty girl, cheap wine and some type of brie cheese. Then, halfway through, an evil alien ship lands in the middle of said picnic and lambastes everyone with alien laser beams. It’s awesome. This song is officially my SSS of 2010. Long live the king.