Have you actually listened to this band and to Gorillaz? There's really no comparison: velvet sundown is just boring - there's nothing there, there. There's no interesting motifs or story telling, no memorable riffs or solos, no surprising structure.

> and apparently people like it.

That remains to be seen. The early plays were bought to get the recommendations. (Tens of thousands of plays, but all within ~100 of each other for the less popular tracks) We really don't know how many people listened to this yet.