Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
XL Recordings
- Released: July 2008
- Rating: 4/10
- Vote and comment on this album:
Birthday release for Becks 8th album.
Beck Hansen has a reputation for being different. Modern Guilt is no exceptionas delves into psych-rock and psych-electronica. Co-produced by Gnarls Barkleymain-man Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, its loaded with magpied influencesthat loop Hip Hop and Country-Rock grooves together with the psych effects.
Also, Cat Power is guest vocalist on two songs, not that youd notice. Hiscareer highpoint was Odelay twelve years ago (was it really that long ago?),and to be truthful hes only come close once, Guero in 2005. Theresno doubt that Beck is an acquired taste, and for those whove crossed his pathbefore, things are still the same in 2008.
The apparent root musical references are Prog Rock and Psychedelia, but you neverget the feeling hes truly understood their meaning: empirical evidence is herefor all to hear.
Led Zep, Pink Floyd and Yes were the leading lights of the genre. Admittedly,very different stylings, all playing, and leading the way. Psychedelias purveyorswere Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, The Byrds, Hawkwind, and again, Pink Floyd.
On a more commercial level The Beatles Revolver and Sgt.Peppers. There arecertain key elements to both, with none, of a significant meaning, found here.Another problem is that producer del Dia, Danger Mouse, has maybe too muchinput. There moments when this could be Gnarls Barkley without vocal maestroCee Lo.
When Modern Guilt is good, its very good. When its not , well youknow what I mean. Most of it isnt Im afraid.
The funky groove is here from the off with Orphans. After the thumpingopening sequence it stutters along with shades of CSNY hovering in the background,though its nothing remarkable. Gamma Ray has an infectious surf beatriff, and G-B (maybe B-52s) immediately comes to mind. Its pretty basic stuff.
Becks originality emerges on spacey Chemtrails, a song about aeroplanevapours doing climate damage. Midway, theres thunderous rippling drumming,creating an ominous sound. Foot tapping Modern Guilt is catchy, quitegood considering its message: isolation. Youthless promises much after thefunky groove and techno drop-ins but fails to take off. Walls is aclattering mish-mash. Messy Replica should have been dropped totallypointless.
The next two Soul Of A Man and Profanity Prayersare equally forgettable. As much as he tries to impress on the finale,Volcano limps out on drifting soundscapes, lacking any creativity,particularly from that man again, Danger Mouse.
File under: Disappointing.
Weblink:beck.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Orphans
2. Gamma Ray
3. Chemtrails
4. Modern Guilt
5. Youthless
6. Walls
7. Replica
8. Soul Of A Man
9. Profanity Prayers
10. Volcano
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.