Thursday, 3 Jul 2008
Beck drops the Danger Mouse produced Modern Guilt next week. Clocking in around the 30 minute mark over the course of 10 tracks makes this one disappear before it hits your earbuds.
For those with interest you can stream three tracks (”Gamma Ray,” “Orphans,” and “Chemtrails”) over at iLike.
Discuss: Would you guys like to discuss Beck today? Have you heard Modern Guilt? What do you think so far? If you were to rank Beck’s releases in order of preference what would your list look like?
Here is my take on his catalog:
1. Mutations
2. Sea Change
3. Odelay
4. Midnite Vultures
5. The Information
6. Guero
7. Mellow Gold
Where will Modern Guilt carve a spot for itself in my list above? Did you know that this will be Beck’s 8th release? Please leave your rankings in the comments.
Myspace: Beck
Find MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
What, no love for Stereopathetic Soulmanure or One Foot in the Grave?
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
Does “Stereopathetic Soul Manure” count as a release? I had that disc in high school and enjoyed very much the tune “Satan Gave Me a Taco”. Beck is an incredibly transformative artist. Every album he creates explores new genres, sounds and ideas - musical non sequiturs. The question always is “What’s Beck going to be diggin’ on this time around?” - ethereal and emotional, bossa nova , tripped out distortion, country jams (the first time I saw Beck he walked out clad in a cowboy hat and sang only country tunes), robo hip hop, etc… The thing is, no matter what genre or techniques this guy adopts, it is almost always stellar! Whereas some musicians might get flack from their fans for “changing their sound”, Beck’s foundation has been creative liberty and the exploration of new musical terrain - something that his fans have come to expect and crave. Sea Change is probably my favorite album because it is so powerful in its simplicity and encapsulated the sad helpless feeling a lot of people had during a rather sad helpless time (mid-2002). Midnight Vultures was released in the prime of my late-night jammin’ party days - horn sections, sexy sounds and funky dance tunes. Mellow Gold was unlike anything I’d ever heard before. I was in high school when it was released and attracted to the DIY sound and stream-of-consciousness lyrics (Beercan, Fuckin’ with my Head). Beck is one cool Mofo and I can’t wait to hear what he and Danger Mouse drummed up for us this time round!
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I have heard the new album in its entirety, and I can say that it is really good (I like it a lot better than The Information). It reminds me a little bit of Mutations in that it’s devoid if his characteristic hip-hop influence. It’s full of radio-friendly songs infused with a sort of classic pop styling that call to mind the early 70s (to me, at least). It’s pretty different from all his past efforts, but what he does with it reminds me of what he did with Midnite Vultures and Mutations (using influences from genres that he’s not normally associated with), mixed with a little bit of Sea Change’s melody.
He reminds me a little bit of this new band coming up called Noah and the Whale, which is a little folkier than Beck but I think still worth checking out. http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
http://stereogum.com/archives/premature-evaluation/premature-evaluation-beck-modern-guilt_010834.html#more
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I was also wondering about Stereopathetic Soul Manure and One Foot In The Grave. I certainly enjoyed the both of them, as well.
I’m looking forward to the new one. I love what Danger Mouse did with the Black Keys…let’s see what he does with Mr. Hansen.
jeff.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I agree with aaron, I think mellow gold would get some more love if people got into one foot into the grave or stereo…
July 6th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Although “The Information” wasn’t a consistent album, the song “New Round” is my all-time favorite Beck song. With lyrics reminiscent of Jeff Tweedy at his best, this track is haunting every listen. I guess that wasn’t the question, but it’s what came to mind.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Odelay is by far his best album.
and his new album is really good. especally the song he wrote with Danger Mouse (Walls?)
July 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Odelay - love the song “Hotwax”
Then Sea Change - “The Golden Age” is a tear-jerker.
http://betterpropaganda.com