Modern Guilt - Music (Beck)

If there's one thing that's proved consistent about Beck Hansen, it's that every fresh record will be a curveball, and so it is with Modern Guilt. If 2006's The Information felt like a return to familiar Odelay territory, a gleaming beats-and-raps record with an eerie futuristic twist perhaps inspired by its maker's interest in Scientology, its follow-up feels like a step out again into uncharted territory. Recorded with the help of hip-hop beat-maker turned multi-talented producer Brian `Danger Mouse' Burton, Modern Guilt is a foggy, sometimes distant-sounding affair apparently inspired by canyon-dwelling psychedelic rock, conspiracy theories, and end-of-the-world angst. "You and me hit by a test of white evil/Watching the jet planes go by", he strains, urgently, on "Chemtrails", eyes fixed to the sky. "Orphans" and "Walls", two songs recorded with Cat Power's Chan Marshall feel like a bit of a missed opportunity, Chan's vocals pushed too far back in the mix. But Danger Mouse's beats are a delight, giving what could be quite morose numbers like "Gamma Ray" a skippy, vintage beat group feel. All in all, it's not Beck at his most engaging or playful, but there's a thoughtful, mature quality to Modern Guilt that you don't find when he's playing postmodern prankster, and it's got much to recommend it. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews of Modern Guilt

The Slim Reaper
london
26th October 2008

Album of the year
Absolutely amazing album.

I originally bought it on download, but I've now bought the proper CD as compressed MP3 really doesn't do justice to all the layers and vibes going on.

Easily Beck's best album since the glorious Odelay. Definately his most accessible. Yes it is only half an hour long, but when you listen to it you don't feel short changed, it's half an hour beauty.

Innovative, wise and most of all you can dance to it.

Love it.

thedan
uk
10th September 2008

Pleasent surprise
Couldnt really be bothered with another beck album boring me to sleep none the less i was given this cd as a gift and well..............what a surprise! each song flows into the other like sweating cheese and before you know it your putting it on again and again and ag.... you get the drift if you like your chedder seriously sweaty then buy this it is MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

A. Wright
UK
21st August 2008

Competent, but no classic
'Modern Guilt' has the feeling of an 'in-between' album, although having said that, Beck's last truly great album was 'Sea Change' - 'The Information' and 'Guero' had moments of brilliance, but were incomparible to 'Midnite Vultures' or 'Odelay'.

I think the saddest thing about this album is that its hard to even pick one song that could have been a decent launch single. Its all just... samey, which is a shame.

I've not given up on Beck, because he clearly has talent... but this feels like an album cranked out in his sleep.

King Business
Modus Operandi, New Hampshire
29th July 2008

Unfairly labeled a return to form, as he was always deadly
Like I said above, nearly all the reviews I've read for Modern Guilt have praised it as a return to form, "best since Sea Change", and that sort of garbage. Lazy, lazy journalism, particularly considering I read the exact same things about previous two albums (and bona fide clinkers) Guero and The Information. Where Modern Guilt outshines those albums is in its length, as both were at least twice as long as the half-hour Modern Guilt. That, and the music.

Which is fantastic. For reasons I don't understand, this Beck album took me the longest to get into. Well, of the ones I like. The less said about the boring Mellow Gold and the HIDEOUS Midnite Vultures the better. I was initially put off by how minimalist the album sounds. After about three listens, I was completely and utterly dependent on it. I couldn't do without it. Still can't. Strange that, isn't it? I think the reason for it is that I like the songs, or something.

Seriously though, the songs are fantastic. From the opener "Orphans" to closer "Volcano", there's not a duff moment on here. Plus, not one of the songs outstays its welcome. Once the verses, choruses and bridges have had their moment, its onto the next one. "Gamma Ray" is about the funnest song of the summer so far, "Chemtrails" has some incredible drumming and eerie vocals, "Modern Guilt" is relentlessly catchy, "Youthless" and "Replica" sound like Guero culls, "Walls" could pass for a Gnarls Barkley song (thanks Danger Mouse), "Soul of a Man" is sleazy as anything, "Profanity Prayers" is a super-happy bass fest and "Volcano" is perfect. The songs are as sparse as the artwork, but Beck doesn't need to layer his songs full of washboard solos and Schubert to be great. Modern Guilt's your proof.

andybstylee

24th July 2008

A beautiful reminder of Beck's genius
I can't really see what people are complaining about. Beck has spent the last countless years reeling out album after album of quality, thought provoking and truly original music.
Modern Guilt is a timely reminder of the sheer quality of his song writing, yes it's shorter this time but that affords him only track where he breaks out the "experimental"/quirky/frankly not very listenable stuff in 'Replica'.
Frankly the first and last tracks contain everything you need to fall in love with Beck either for the first time or the 500th.
Volcano in particular is potentially his most beautiful track to date and makes me go all goosepimply just listening to it.
I can't see how comments along the lines of "this isn't as good as seachange or odelay" hold any value at all. If it's that era of Beck you like then go back and listen to those albums - or compile yourself a "best of beck" CD - there's plenty to choose from!
These are dark days in terms of the quality and originality of music on offer and this latest offering from Beck is much needed ray of light - a reminder that human beings can still make music that is worth listening to.