There seems to be an overwhelming trend in musical criticism to psychoanalyze the artist. There are the troubling artists (see Dylan, Bob; or for a more modern reference, Gillis, Jack) who deliberately attempt to put up a barrier between themselves and their audiences. Then there are those artists who put everything out there and thus avoid psychoanalysis (see Glitter, Gary. And on the subject of Mr. Glitter, shouldn't we have seen all those pedophile charges coming when he released the song, "What Your Mama Don't See (Your Mama Don't Know)"?). And finally, there are the artists whose creative works are so interesting and consuming that for the most part, they can avoid having to read ink wasted on their mental state. That's where Beck Hansen comes in. Rarely are articles written solely about examining the mental state of Beck; that's why it was so hard for this reviewer to entirely believe that he was a Scientologist - the media cliche is that every single devotee to Scientology is prostelyzing in some way about their religion. And while that cliche exists for a reason (no need to name names here - just run down the street and pick up a copy of US Magazine or Vanity Fair), there's no reason to invoke it in reference to Beck.
Yes, yes, Beck's new album The Information does end with a strange, epic sci-fi odyssey entitled "The Horrible Fanfare / Landslide / Exoskeleton;" but it's both lazy and stupid to assume that this suite is actually about Scientology. Assuming any song with science fiction or apocalytpic overtones is about Scientology means that we would have to indict the MC5, Talking Heads, any band with the word "Starship" in their name, Gorillaz, and the Dirtbombs (though I may be confusing science fiction with furries - oops), as well as P-Funk - and I am barely scratching the surface - into the wasteland to which pop culture relegates Scientology. You may argue that "The Horrible Fanfare / Landslide / Exoskeleton" is a strange, not completely engaging ending to a tremendous album, and I'd agree with you there. But if you wish to psychoanalyze Beck, please just forget about Scientology, turn on the DVD section of The Information, and explain to me: a.) why there are so many men dressed as women, b.) why there are so many bears, and c.) why a Strokes impersonator is constantly bipping and bopping throughout these videos. Okay, thanks.
Article comments
1 - Scott
This is an excellent album. I liked Guero very much, but I think this tops it. A lot of the stuff is almost creepy and apocalyptic - mostly the stuff where he raps very softly. Very cool and different.
2 - Michael J. West
I thought Guero was Beck's worst album by a longshot...but I agree with Scott and with you. The Information is a great one that will probably be severely undercut by the hipster crowd (already has, in fact, if you read Pitchfork).
3 - DJRadiohead
I guess I am destined to be the lone weirdo who prefers Guero. I just fucking love that album. It's funny- I had very low expectations for it when I bought it and it just grew, grew, grew on me. It is probably the Beck disc I listen to most often.
Don't get me wrong- I like The Information. It's a strong disc and one I like to listen to and need to listen to some more to get a real handle on it. I just don't see it topping Guero for me.
4 - Eric Berlin
Great review Megan!
DJR, I'm with you, I think that Guero is simply smashing. I'm just now getting into The Information -- it certainly has it's moments (at this very moment I believe "Think I'm Falling in Love" to be simply sublime) but Guero to me is a better whole. I've heard it criticized as being "not finished" enough, which may be true, and The Information certainly sounds more polished, but overall I think that Guero is the "most Beck" Beck album that he's ever produced, if that makes any sense.
5 - Bullgod
Beck puts out great stuff.It always takes me a few spins on the cd player before anything sticks and then, finally, I get it. So, in saying that, its too early to say how I really feel about his latest effort. But, so far so good. Any true Beck fan is going to dig this. No dilly!
6 - sam gaver
whoa, what an album! this feels mellow like mutations, funky like odelay and guero, depressing like mellow gold, futuristic like midnite vultures, and experimental like golden feelings and fresh meat, old slabs, which brings me back to some stereopathetic soulmanure. nicely done! mutations is still my fav, but this may take over. gotta go, some one is video taping me in myspaceship.
7 - SCHMEEJAYDJ
That gypsy in the pic with Beck is Devandra Banhart; an excellent guitar player/singer/songwriter/musician/etc. outta Cali