Beck – Modern Guilt
You know, this is actually pretty good, for the most part. I’ll confess, my expectations were pretty bloody low for this album, given the extreme variability of Beck’s recent work. Actually, the extreme variability of all of his work.
I loved Mutations, I liked Guero, I sort of liked Odelay and Mellow Gold, I like most of Sea Change, but albums like Midnite Vultures and The Information rather passed me by. Maybe I need a Best of Beck playlist, and then I could just give up on expecting his albums to be great, because pretty much none of them are. Almost all of them contain great bits, some more than others, but really only Mutations is great all the way through.
This particular outing is not bad though, and explores something of an indie-rock vibe, before settling into slightly more uneasily electronic-tinged stuff that will come as no surprise to his more regular listeners. It actually sounds not at all unlike Radiohead a lot of the time. Maybe the man just needs to release six or seven track mini-albums in order to focus on the best stuff. If you trimmed his albums down to that length he’d look like a genius, but for the most part the material ends up being a bit thin for twelve song long players.
This is no exception. Gamma Ray is good, Orphans is excellent, Chemtrails and Modern Guilt are both good, but then things drift a little before picking up right at the end. So as I said, pretty good. But that’s about it.
Beck – Orphans
Beck – Modern Guilt
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I wouldn’t disagree, Euan. I rate him very highly as an artist, particularly one who consistently pushes himself to try new things. Very few bands have been as consistently inventive, or even close to as consistently inventive, as Beck has been over the last few years. I just don’t like all of his stuff as much as I often wish I did, that’s all.
Spot on about Sparklehorse, by the way.
yeah I can see that. but the information is a good album i think – if you give it time. I do agree with you about the tendancy of his albums not to be brilliant from start to finish – mutations being the exception. it’s also interesting that his most downbeat, possibly miserable, album is considered, by most people, to be his best yet he rarely revisits that sound.
Sparklehorse last album was such a let down for me after the genius of It’s a Wonderful Life. When I saw him at the liquid rooms it was one of those – please play the old stuff moments – and when he did they blew the new stuff away. I love sparklehorse, I just think the whole dangermouse as producer thing didn’t work.
currently listening to the new Micah P Hinson album. I do love Micah.
Orphans = TUNE
Orphans is fucking excellent indeed, but it is easily the best pop song on the album, so be cautious.
I was at that gig at the Liquid Rooms and I completely agree. The last album was very good, but no better than that and every time he played an old song you were reminded of just how brilliant Linkous can be when he nails one.
But I never really got into The Information for some reason. I’m going to have to search now and check if I even reviewed it!
you see, I saw him in king tuts at the time of It’s a Wonderful Life and he was sensational. totally different show to the liquid rooms where I felt flat after having been so hyped for the gig. I’m sure he will redeem himself when he can find the time to write a new record.
i love the drums on orphans. they’re just great.
On the most superficial note ever: I really really like the album cover.
& Orphans is sounding quite good…
Actually, The Information had an outstanding cover, I thought, which actually added to my disappointment when I didn’t end up liking the album all that much.
have to agree that mutations is his best album but I thought the information was really rather good to be honest. but a bit worried about the dangermouse connection as I personally feel the last sparklehorse album – produced by said dangermouse – is the weakest to date. having seen beck at meadowbank supporting Radiohead I can confirm that when he plays all his top tunes he’s worth his weight in gold. and i personally think you are underating his work to date. though midnite vultures is not a personal favourite of mine. he always tries to re-invent himself and keep things fresh – which is not easy and admirable. i give him two thumbs up and look forward to hearing this album.