Londoners Magazine

Warning: this review is in no way balanced or unbiased. My name’s Georgina Terry and I’m completely mad for Beck. Frankly, if he released the sound of a fart of a jar I’d give it a listening to.

So, here we go. Modern Guilt – the first listen by a long time fan, written in real time. Imagine that.

Orphans
A bass heavy glitchy start. I like its Odelay overtones already. Kicks into a slightly folky vocal. I can envisage myself dancing to this.
There’s a real ‘60s psychedelic folk feel to this. It’s accessible.

Gamma Ray
Ooh, kicking intro, almost like My Generation. This intro would have be running for the dance floor fo’shure.
What’s that about ice caps melting? Oh, it’s just Beck lyrics; they don’t ever make sense, let’s not worry about them anymore.
Another ‘60s feel but this time to the rhythm section. Where it not for the Air style backing vocals this could be played at a mod-night, if only Beck sounded a bit more feral.

Chemtrails
A softer intro. Again, this could be Air. This is not a bad thing. A pleasant, drum-heavy track, all crash cymbals and rolls. Rolls are good.

Modern Guilt
I defy you to listen to this and not nod/sway/tap your feet along.
Fabulous Kinksy keyboard kick-in but with ‘80s robo-bleeps. Oooh, nice key change.
Understated vocal style la da da daing along.

Youthless
This sounds like Sexx Laws. Huzzah! Could be played down Durr or wherever the cool electro kids are hanging out these days.

Walls
Surprising fiddles. Don’t go all Levellers on me now Beck love. A gentle song with space raider laser shoot outs over it.

Replica
Hmm. Starts with the weirdness that makes some of Beck’s work so difficult. Very gentle melody over the top though. This could almost be Mutations over an Odelay style production. Cinematic strings.

Soul of a man
Chugging riff. Vocoder voice. What The Raconteurs would sound like if they acknowledged it’s 2008.

Profanity Prayers
Tune may have been sacrificed for cool.

Volcano
Tones of Elliott Smith circa XO. Again, not a bad thing.

To conclude: on first listen this is a great album. It’s not breaking any new ground either musically or Beckically but, y’know, if it ain’t broke. It’s no Odelay but then it’s certainly no One Foot in the Grave. Hooray!

Tour now please.