According to CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND,  Gorillaz, known for their choice of using animation while presenting their always engaged fan base with new music have returned to follow up their recently released visual story The Book of Russel, where they continue their virtual animation style telling a story but giving fans an explanation as to why they have not put out much new material. The Book of Noodle contains a slight change in creative direction. The use of animation remains, but the photoshop of a number of different images to create a story is where The Book of Noodle shines. They are back again with another virtual animated story titled “The Book of Murdoc”. Anyone who knows Gorillaz expects animation to appear at some point. But in this day and age of constant repetition of ideas, they managed to surprise everyone.

When the video begins the most striking difference in comparison to other artists is that there is no sound in this very short video. Seconds in, you will realize why it is being called a visual story. A page of a book appears on the screen telling the story of the last time that some had seen Murdoc Niccals. His paradise of a home was raided by pirates and Murdoc made the difficult decision the evacuate as he saw no other option in sight.

The next shot is of “moving animation”. An old style speaker is up close in the camera frame and in the background, there are two planes and a battleship that appear to be getting ready to attack an assigned target. This part of the story is an animated elaboration on the previous words. The two planes and battleship are all heading in the same direction as if they were coming to take over the island Murdoc was living on before evacuating. In the background of the story, the classic image of the Gorillaz character sits with a cigarette in his mouth.

As Murdoc, continues to run away all he has is a bottle of his favorite alcohol and Noodle Cyborg. The image that follows this portion of the story up is one of Gorillaz characters piloting what looks like a small submarine in rough waters.

As Murdoc realizes he is out of alcohol, the submarine floats to the top and he stands on top of the submarine to empty his bladder. A giant shadow appears behind him. It’s the battleship shown in the previous animated image. The story takes a turn when it comes to light that the battleship is owned by music industry giant EMI.

The story reveals that before it was dismantled, EMI came looking for Gorillaz star Murdoc. They found him and put him in a prison.

If you haven’t been able to notice yet, the story symbolizes real life issues Gorillaz are having. The end of the story reveals that Dungeon Abbey was built below Abbey Road Studios to house the labels ABC’s (Artist in Break of Contract). He was let out when EIA (Entertainment Internal Affairs) offered him a deal. Murdoc agreed to write another album in exchange for a release.