Music: Beck - Guero
Guero was produced by the Dust brothers, like Odelay, which might explain some of the similarities. But the master of post-modernistic, eclectic alternative folk funk hop, or whatever you want to call it, reaches an ideal blend with Guero. He keeps just enough emotion from the pensive Sea Change, and brings back the quirky Beck from the ‘90s that we all expect. Beck succeeds as an alt-rocker with just enough hip-hop to make him fresh, but not seem like a trader to the genre (whichever genre that is…).
A great opener and the most radio-friendly track, “E-Pro” is a perfect blend of grunge-crunch and pop melody. There’s not any depth to the song’s lyrics, but by the one-minute mark, if you’re not singing your Na-na, na-na-na-na-nas, then you must not like music at all.
Beck and his quirky mexi-fetish are back with “Que Onda, Guero,” roughly meaning “What’s up white boy.” If you turn up your stereo loud during this song, you’ll be looking over your shoulder wondering if you’ve suddenly been transported to a Mexican Barrio deep in the heart of Los Angeles.
Upon first listen to “Girl”, I cringed. Did Beck hack some old Atari 2600 video game cartridge to use the audio track? Soon enough, the upbeat, danceable drums and acoustic slide guitars kick in, and the blips blend right in. The deep, swaying reverb of the chorus when Beck sings, “Hey, my summer girl” just makes you excited for the next chorus to start again.
“Missing” carries the slower, introspective mood from Sea Change. Depending on what you expect from Beck, that can be good or bad. Sea Change is probably my favorite Beck album as a whole, but you definitely have to be in a mellow mood for it. Guero succeeds with a few introspective songs here and there, but keeping the grooves moving. “Broken Drum”, is one of Guero’s best. Sweeping reverb, delicate effects and feedback guitar solos give this song the other-worldy feeling that makes you want to just lie down, close your eyes, and hit the repeat button on your CD player. The only thing that could’ve been done to improve the song would have been to save it for the closing track.
Guero is loaded with excellent groove tracks, reminiscent of Odelay. “Black Tamborine” brings back fast tremolo guitar. “Go it Alone,” has the best drum and bass groove of the CD, along with some smooth and crunchy guitar. “Scarecrow” is another favorite—a classic acoustic blues riff topped-off with some howling, whale-like guitar and delay effects throughout.
“Hell Yes”, “Earthquake Weather” and “Rental Car” are Guero’s muddled, weaker tracks. Beck was wise enough to save the best title, “Earthquake Weather,” for the weakest song. Aural exploration goes overboard with these songs, which don’t seem to have any real direction. Of the three, “Rental Car” is the best, but still meandering. “Emergency Exit” does a decent job of closing the album, with some of the best slide guitar on the album, but “Broken Drum” would have done better.
Final Score: 3 cents.
A great opener and the most radio-friendly track, “E-Pro” is a perfect blend of grunge-crunch and pop melody. There’s not any depth to the song’s lyrics, but by the one-minute mark, if you’re not singing your Na-na, na-na-na-na-nas, then you must not like music at all.
Beck and his quirky mexi-fetish are back with “Que Onda, Guero,” roughly meaning “What’s up white boy.” If you turn up your stereo loud during this song, you’ll be looking over your shoulder wondering if you’ve suddenly been transported to a Mexican Barrio deep in the heart of Los Angeles.
Upon first listen to “Girl”, I cringed. Did Beck hack some old Atari 2600 video game cartridge to use the audio track? Soon enough, the upbeat, danceable drums and acoustic slide guitars kick in, and the blips blend right in. The deep, swaying reverb of the chorus when Beck sings, “Hey, my summer girl” just makes you excited for the next chorus to start again.
“Missing” carries the slower, introspective mood from Sea Change. Depending on what you expect from Beck, that can be good or bad. Sea Change is probably my favorite Beck album as a whole, but you definitely have to be in a mellow mood for it. Guero succeeds with a few introspective songs here and there, but keeping the grooves moving. “Broken Drum”, is one of Guero’s best. Sweeping reverb, delicate effects and feedback guitar solos give this song the other-worldy feeling that makes you want to just lie down, close your eyes, and hit the repeat button on your CD player. The only thing that could’ve been done to improve the song would have been to save it for the closing track.
Guero is loaded with excellent groove tracks, reminiscent of Odelay. “Black Tamborine” brings back fast tremolo guitar. “Go it Alone,” has the best drum and bass groove of the CD, along with some smooth and crunchy guitar. “Scarecrow” is another favorite—a classic acoustic blues riff topped-off with some howling, whale-like guitar and delay effects throughout.
“Hell Yes”, “Earthquake Weather” and “Rental Car” are Guero’s muddled, weaker tracks. Beck was wise enough to save the best title, “Earthquake Weather,” for the weakest song. Aural exploration goes overboard with these songs, which don’t seem to have any real direction. Of the three, “Rental Car” is the best, but still meandering. “Emergency Exit” does a decent job of closing the album, with some of the best slide guitar on the album, but “Broken Drum” would have done better.
Final Score: 3 cents.
Zimm's two cents. | 5:15 PM
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