CD Review: Beck
By Casey Gillis on Jul. 09, 2008
Michael Chagnon, The Burg
ARTIST: Beck
CD: ‘Modern Guilt’
LABEL: Interscope Records
REVIEWER RATING: 2.5 out of 5
Beck is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame with the song “Loser” in 1994. His arrangements incorporate virtually every other style of music. Beck lists The Cars, Mantronix, Gary Wilson, Bill Broonzy and Sonic Youth as some of his influences. His biggest success came with the release of “Odelay” in 1996. “Odelay” was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone, NME and Mojo, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Album.
Beck’s latest release is called “Modern Guilt” and it is his eighth studio album. Beck is unique in the fact that his major-label recording contract also allowed him to release albums through independent. “Modern Guilt” fulfills his contract with Interscope Records. Quirky as ever, but less esoteric, “Modern Guilt” features Cat Power on two songs. The entire album was produced by Danger Mouse. The first single to be released is “Chemtrails” and is a mix of indie rock and retro. Other single-contenders include the song “Gamma Ray” and a song that shares its name with the album, “Modern Guilt”.
It will be interesting to see what Beck does now that his major label contract has ended. He can be as experimental or as niche as he wants. Beck’s back catalog allows him to do just about anything musically and that leaves the possibility open for something as amazing as Odelay. “Modern Guilt” is what most have come to expect from Beck maybe it’s time for something new. For more information, check out http://www.beck.com.
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