Beck: Rating the Albums
Submitted by ash_campbell on Thu, 08/07/2003 - 11:59
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- 1. Odelay (1996)
- Mellow Gold may be the album that put him on the map, but it was this treasure that made him synonymous with bizarre and awesome rock. Great range in his own unique way, he plays with his audience, as a spoken interlude at the end of Hotwax indicates. As the music dies down, an almost porn-style beat comes up, and the following exchange between a young woman and deep-based man happens: “Who are you?” “I’m the enchanting wizard of rhythm” “Why did you come here?” “I came here to tell you about the rhythms of the universe.” That’s about the best explanation for this album that I’ve ever heard.
- 2. Sea Change (2002)
- When he released this album, he had just broken up with a long-time girlfriend and had other personal problems with which to deal. With that angst, he created some of the most lovely and depressing songs about being crushed by the world. Lost Cause may be the most representative of what’s happening here, but nearly every track speaks about pain, disillusionment, and unhappiness. A big change of direction from Beck.
- 3. Mellow Gold (1994)
- With the release of the awe-inducing single Loser, Beck burst onto the scene. While the full-length album probably scared many potential fans, those who dared to stay got a pleasant introduction to his strange lyrics (Nitemare Hippy Girl), almost droll music (Pay No Mind), and hypnotic visions.
- 4. Guero (2005)
- Solid Brck effort that has a more techno/house feel to it than previous efforts. E-pro is a good starting track, and I like Black Tambourine. the majority of the album includes the Dust Brothers (yet again), and maybe that's whtat really makes it feel like a traditional Beck release.
- 5. One Foot in the Grave (1994)
- Beck released two quick and dirty albums after the success of Mellow Gold. On this one, you can clearly see a stripped-down, under-produced vision which leaves you with just his lyrics and simple music. Lucky for us, it works.
- 6. Mutations (1998)
- It’s fine, but it doesn’t contain as many dizzyingly high highs as most of the others. Still, Tropicalia is wonderful to behold, and Canceled Check is a new variation of his regular motifs.
- 7. Midnite Vultures (1999)
- It’s odd to call a Beck album derivative, but that’s what happened here. Hastily put out just a year after Mutations, it doesn’t cover any new ground, and the ostensible hit Sexx Laws is embarrassingly crude. A major disappointment that was forgiven by the power of Sea Change.
- 8. Stereopathic Soul Manure (1994)
- A silly throwaway album, this feels more like a an unmastered demo tape than a real, released album. Completely stripped-down, it contains a large number of seemingly unfinished song ideas, this just doesn't have anything to offer, except for the most die-hard fans.
Author Comments:
A strange fellow with an odd history, Beck does make some startlingly original and bold music. Here’s how his albums rate.
This is a great list.
Beck is artist of today that really has the potential to reinvent himself, and he's proven that with Sea Change. It really is a landmark album for this decade. He's came a long way since "Loser".
I agree with the rankings. Odelay is his finest work.
I love the list man, but disagree with the order severly, mostly because of what I've heard of Beck, which is quite alot I love some of his stuff and loathe some
here goes...
1.) Sea Change
2.)Odelay
3.)Midnite Vultures
4.)Mutations
5.)One Foot in the Grave
6.)Mellow Gold....
I can't stand Mellow Gold for some reason, I don't know why, probably b/c all the songs on it just annoy the hell out of me, but that's just me, and Sea Change is a masterpiece.