3 keepers
keeper avg .231
After the lush Sea Change, the follow-up seems like a conscious decision to return to form, that being his most successful albums. Opening track "E-Pro"**** focuses on a simple but ballsy riff for a driving hybrid of "Loser" and "Devils Haircut." Beck turns the dark chorus "hey, my cyanide girl" into hummable ear candy in "Girl"****. And if a robotic phrase is going to be the song's hook, it should be "Hell Yes"****.
Critics mention both Odelay and Mutations and are not far off. "Qué Onda Guero" and "Rental Car" have the Odelay hipster hip-hop approach, while the rhythms and guitar of "Missing" and "Earthquake Weather" are familiar reminders of Mutations. Elsewhere, "Scarecrow" is decently melodic and groove-y, and the minimal, Book Of Knots-like "Farewell Ride" at least has the virtue of being starkly creepy. But the rest disappoint; "Go It Alone" and "Emergency Exit" are bluesy like modern country and truck commercials are bluesy, and live favorite "Black Tambourine" is both derivative and monotonous.
Comments