Beck's newest hit
By Jeff Renfro
Beck's upcoming album "Guero" returns to the sound that made him famous. It is closer to "Odelay" than anything he has released since.
It does not feature the heavy influence of hip-hop that marked "Odelay," but its songs are built up around rhythm, a departure from his recent acoustic albums.
When Beck burst onto the scene in 1994 with the hit single "Loser" off the album "Mellow Gold," he seemed headed toward one-hit wonder status. His critically acclaimed follow-up in 1996, "Odelay," proved Beck had more musical chops than anyone expected. The album produced hit single after hit single, ending with the improbably popular "Jackass."
Beck then released an acoustic album entitled "Mutations." It was a critical darling, but created some backlash among the faithful followers of "Odelay." Beck returned to his white-boy funk roots with "Midnight Vultures," which was successful upon its release, but ultimately forgettable. In 2002 he released "Sea Change," written after a break-up with his girlfriend of eight years. It mirrored the acoustic style of "Mutations" and was hailed one the year's best albums.
The song "Guero," which is Spanish slang for "white boy," is a model for the album, which mixes a variety of styles, brought together by Beck's dorky charm. The production on "Guero" is shared by many top producers. The Dust Brothers, who produced "Odelay," are reunited with Beck to create several of the album's standout tracks. Dan "The Automator" Nakamura also makes an appearance.
The common threads that run through the album are the use of heavy guitars and funk-informed rhythm. The lyrics match the buoyant quality of the music. The depressed lyrics of "Sea Change" are replaced by clever wordplay.
The album opens with the salsa-inspired track "Brazilica." The song established its groove, and rarely deviates until violins are added toward the end. The lyrics connote a sense of longing without an object to direct it towards.
"Guero's" standout track is the soon-to-be party-anthem "E-Pro." The track begins with heavy, buzz saw guitars and a simple, steady drumbeat. The song features an immediately catchy "na-na" chorus, before reverting to lyrics that are not quite rapped and not quite sung. The lyrics are a series of non-sequitors and mixed metaphors. A sample is the lyric "Don't forget to pick up what you sew/Talking trash to the garbage around you."
Beck does not completely leave behind the heartfelt lyrics of his more sedate albums. "Scarecrow" is a poignant song about insecurity, but still manages to have a great beat. At its best, "Guero," which will be released in March, combines the best elements of the two Becks. He's a master of establishing mood, and this album combines the desire to have fun with an almost heart-aching self awareness.