ARTIST:
BECK


ALBUM:
GUERO


KEY TRACKS:
GO IT ALONE
E PRO
BLACK TAMBOURINE


"I better go it alone"




Don't even start with me, I know I'm late on Beck.  But just because I haven't written about it doesn't mean I haven't heard bits and pieces of the junk-rock enthusiast.  I've certainly been aware of his presence and have always enjoyed the snippets I've heard of his career.  

Guero marks Beck's ninth album and was released back in 2005.  It's also his most critically acclaimed.    This album certainly does not sound like it's 7 years old. There is a freshness here that translates to current trends in music.  The grunge in Beck's composition mirrors a lot of the trends in current noise-pop and maybe even a little dub step?  And although most dub step repulses me (sorry Bassnectar!) Beck's sludgy beats have a certain satisfying appeal.  


The case in point is the heartbeat of the album:  E-Pro.  I don't care where you've been the last few years but you've undeniably heard the contagious "na na na na na na" of the chorus line.  This song has been in so many commercials, numerous films, and probably played to death on the radio.  But it really doesn't ever seem to get old.  Another track that stood out to me is more of a sleeper track:  Go It Alone.  I really like this one.  It's just subtle enough but still memorable.


Lastly, Black Tambourine is another solid track in the mix.  Heavy drum beats, which I'm learning to like more and more, back staccato-like vocals.  For Beck, the vocals here are a bit unusual.  Beck has a habit of slow and languid way of crooning his vocals and he completely abandons his typical style in this track.  But just because it's different, doesn't make it any less lovely. 


However, i find that the adjacent remix album: Guerolito is a much more fascinating endeavor from Beck.  It's amazing that a remix album can seem so solid and, well, like an album!   Usually a remix album is an awkward juxtaposition of mutilated tracks but this effort, this album gives hope.  Heaven Hammer is a stunner.  The opening synths of this track give this sense of accession.  Beck's vocals here are a triumph, especially with that initial wail.  It's a lovely track.  Another seamless remix is the E-Pro mashup rechristened as Ghost Range.  At first the track leaves the listener confused as to what this actually is a remix of until that iconic chorus kicks in.  Lastly, I enjoyed Boards of Canada's remix of Broken Drum.  This to me is more of an echo of Go It Alone because its subtlety is very much enjoyable.  


Overall this album is saturated in hits, and though Guero is an excellent album, please please don't discount the remixes either.

LISTEN:  E-PRO  |  GO IT ALONE  |  BLACK TAMBOURINE  |  HEAVEN HAMMER

NEXT WEEK:  NEW ORDER  |  POWER, CORRUPTION, LIES