The Good, The Bad & The Queen: The Good, The Bad & The Queen

You can't fake chemistry, which is why more memorable music comes from people who came up together, even if they hate each other (e.g. Rage Against The Machine), than from mated-in-captivity assemblages of talented musicians (e.g. Audioslave). That's why supergroups, however awesome the lineup, tend to be not-so-super. The Good, The Bad & The Queen unites Blur frontman Damon Albarn with Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong, and Tony Allen, a longtime percussionist and musical director for Fela Kuti under the production of Albarn's Gorillaz mate Danger Mouse. It sounds like a can't-miss arrangement, but the results can at best be politely called "intriguing," and at worst, "pretty dull."