But enough about old sounds; what about the new? There's "1000 BPM," which this reviewer can no longer listen to without rehashing the bizarre bear fight featured on the DVD. With its cacophony of percussion instruments, "1000 BPM" can be off-putting during the first listen. But come back to it. I guarantee that the song will feel cooler and cooler every time. Then there's the lovely "Strange Apparition," which is utterly charming with Beck foghornin' it around above a mothballs and lace piano melody. And of course, don't forget "We Dance Alone," which allows Nigel Godrich to shine in a way which will be completely unfamiliar to most of his fans. Godrich helps Beck create an atmosphere of cool; there will be indie naysayers who won't want to admit that anything about this album is cool, simply because yes, Beck is on a major label, but that's stupid. Why deny an album that's actually fun, especially in a year which has been cluttered with a sea of Arcade Fire wannabes and the boringly obtuse?
Of course, not every song is a gem. There's the aforementioned "Horrible Fanfare," which starts to come off as more of an in-joke between friends than an actual song; there's also "No Complaints," which makes me want to beat up Beck the minute he croons, "We are English." "No Complaints" reveals the main problem with Beck's lyrical style: unless the entire song is interesting and compelling, the listener is allowed to start processing and analyzing the (often limited) scope of the lyrics. There are many times where this is not a problem, but "No Complaints," Beck? I beg to differ.
All and all, though, if you are a Beck fan, you will like this album. And even if you aren't a Beck fan, buy The Information just to decorate its customizable album art. Seriously, decorating my copy was the most fun I've had in three weeks.
- Megan Giddings
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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