Beck
Sea Change (2002)

review by: Dustin Pangonis
Date: 10/9/02

Funk, rock, punk, rap, folk, country, jazz, dance, indie, alternative, techno, blues, soul. Beck's list of influences reads like a complete list of contemporary musical styles. Past classics like "Odelay" have touched on all of those genres, and probably a few I forgot. Knowing all this, Beck's decisions to settle down and focus on being a singer/songwriter on his new album may come as a surprise.

Beck has traded in his old style for this outing. Don't expect to hear Beck rapping, using obscure samples, or switching what genre he wants to try between every song. "Sea Change" shows Beck in a somber mood, giving us the most honest and emotional lyrics of his career (this album comes on the heels of a break-up with a girlfriend.) Musically, this is Beck's lushest effort yet, bringing in a string section and Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck's own "Mutations" album) to produce.

But sticking to one central mood and style doesn't lead to predictability or boring music. Be impressed when you realize that Beck can cover vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, perucussion, glockenspiel, and background vocals. Be amazed when you realize that was in all one song. And his backing band is utilizing instruments I never even knew existed (Ever heard of a bamboo saxophone? Me neither.)

"Mutations" hinted that an album like this might be on the way, with Beck sliding into a more relaxed role as a songwriter, but even that album had its roots in tropical music and had plenty of upbeat songs. A whole album of a lovesick Beck is something new. Instead of "Loser", "Where It's At", or "Mixed Bizness", we get "Guess I'm Doing FIne", "Lost Cause", and "Lonesome Tears". Such a transition might be jarring with someone less talented or diverse than Beck, but here it worsk perfectly and results in another stunner of an album.

One of the most interesting tracks is "Sunday Sun", which features a plethora of unique instruments, including the Indian banjo and aforementioned bamboo saxophone. The song builds to an ending of crashing drums and screeching guitar, the noisiest moment on the album.

Other highlights like "Guess I'm Doing Fine" feature instantly memorable hooks, and in "Lonesome Tears" Beck delivers one of his most stunning choruses by singing "How could this love/Ever turning/Never turn it's eye on me/How could this love/Ever changing/Never change the way I feel" over a sweeping string arrangement. (I did warn you this was a mopey album.)

Whether or not Beck sticks with this approach remains to be seen. His next album could just as easily be an electronic-folk retro-hippie recording as it could be another album like "Sea Change". You can never really be sure. For now, we're left with one of the top albums of the year and an interesting new chapter in Beck's history.

Beck
Midnite Vultures (1999)

review by: Mike Webb
Date: 10/9/00

This is not a review of Beck's latest album "Midnite Vultures" because there's one song that stands so far above the others that it's got to be the focus of this here diatribe.

"Debra" is straight up brilliance. Earth Wind & Fire's "Reasons", Prince's "Little Red Corvette" and Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up" might've been inspiration. Maybe Rev. Al is still sitting on the throne, but Beck came hard and heavy with this song, and Mr. Green is beginning to sweat.

The basis of "Debra" is a standup bass sample from Ramsey Lewis' "My Love For You" that other people have sampled, but not nearly as well. The bass sets the groove, and the horns, falsetto vocal, and noodle-scratching, watery guitar bring it home. Beck is paying homage and having fun with the soul balladeer form at the same time. So you end up with a passionate vocal about a guy who wants "to get with you, and your sister too (I think her name's Debra)." Just so you know he's having fun Mr. Hansen croons "I met you at JC Penny's. I pick you up late at night after work, I say lady step inside my Hyundai, 'cause when our eyes did meet, girl you knew I was packing heat!". Then it glides right out with the horns becoming a little more forceful, but holding the groove.

Don't know if it's possible to do a better mock tribute! You'll enjoy this one all the way to the sperm bank!