Required listening from the week in music.

Gorillaz, the best animated band since Cold Sliver from "G.I. Joe," returns with "Plastic Beach." The guest roster (which includes everyone from Lou Reed to Snoop Dogg) is typically motley, while songs (like the groovy, '80s-throwback single "Stylo") remind us that summer is just around the corner. Still, the characters look kind of creepy when rendered in CGI for Gorillaz' latest video. Sometimes, it's better not to cross the uncanny valley.

Also in stores:
-- "Broken Bells" finds The Shins' James Mercer collaborating with the prolific Danger Mouse, of "The Grey Album" and Gnarls Barkley fame. While the result is pleasant enough, we are far more interested in Danger Mouse's collaboration with David Lynch and the late Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, which may finally see the light of day this summer. (Listen to a streaming version here.)
-- "Are You Experienced" is just one of the many new deluxe, remastered Jimi Hendrix releases hitting stores this week. Sadly, 43 years later, we are only kind of experienced.
-- Barnstorming indie-rock favorites Ted Leo and the Pharmacists return with "Brutalist Bricks," a set of politically charged arena anthems. Ted Leo fans will want to check out the "The Best Show on WFMU" pledge drive to hear some acoustic tracks by the band and discover some of the best comedy on the radio or any medium.