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31Knots Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Modern Guilt
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The 10th album for the Los Angeles artist was produced by Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton.
| LABEL: | Interscope |
| RELEASE DATE: | 08 July 2008 |
| DISCS: | 1 disc |
| GENRE(S): | Rock |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 47 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Zach T. gave it a9:
The first thing on this albums is the beck's voice , this voice became really great . Just listen chemtrails the first beck singles , a nice psychedelic songs. The first half of this album is a pure masterpiece , all songs are great , especially Walls or chemtrails which are pleasure for my ears , but the real orgasm is Volcano , it close this album magnificently. Better Than Sea Change in all way , maybe the best since Odelay. Great Job Beck
Tab gave it a10:
The trick is to let this work of brilliance stand on its own. When album this genuine and passionate happens, recognize what went into it. That's where you'll find what to get out.
Jean-Philippe D. gave it a5:
Very surprisingly, it's the first Beck album I cannot play all at once and teh times in a row. Actually it's the first Beck album I've never played in its entirety. It's over produced and far from being in touch with the artist himself. It sounds like everything but Beck. Sadly the title of the album was engaging enough, but it seems the production methods of Mr Brian Burton did nothing to pull it off the junk basket. It's way over produced. One needs to establish whether the album is a showcase of Danger Mouse's potential or Beck's genius... Maybe it's neither of them.
Ashley M. gave it a6:
Yes, Beck has a new album. If you like Guero and The Information this is apparently a continuation of the themes he's used for awhile. Its a solid album and Danger Mouse is a competent producer but since Sea Change Beck has mellowed out considerably. The things that I have always loved about him are strangely absent. There is still some absurd and surreal lyrics but the playfulness is gone. Beck has become a serious individual. There are some really good standout tracks like the opening track "Orphans", "Gamma Ray", "Modern Guilt" and "Walls". A lot of the album is sad and has an ethereal quality which I would compare to the slower Gnarls Barkley tracks. If you are depressed in any way I would suggest NOT listening to this album. There are heavy themes of death which pervade the entire record. I would suggest Modern Guilt to only the hardcore fans of the post Sea Change Beck albums.
BJ M. gave it an8:
The two albums before this lost me, but Beck has got me back as a fan. It's not a difficult album, but does take a week or two before it will get under your skin. Finally i am humming Beck tunes in my head again..not since Sea Change has that happened.
Kurt C. gave it a6:
Beck's musical slump continues. It's really a tragedy because he was on such a prolific ride with every album he released from 1994 and 1996's modern classics "Mellow Gold" and "Odelay," respectively, to 1998's stunning off-roader "Mutations," on to 1999's eclectic grower "Midnite Vultures," and finally to his career's pinnacle, 2002's depressingly beautiful "Sea Change". The gossip around "Sea Change" was the love of his life broke his heart and out came his most raw, honest and ingenious work of art. It also drained him of everything he had left. Since then, Beck has struggled to create anything that can touch the greatness of any of his previous work. This year's "Modern Guilt" continues to see the decline of Beck and it really saddens me. I saw Beck on his "Sea Change" tour at Wolf Trap and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. He was ON and his band really helped carry him. Fast-forward a few years later to 2005's "Guero" tour at The Patriot Center and it was like night and day. Beck could barely perform the last half of his set. He didn't even MOVE. His stage hands had to switch his guitars on and off him, step on his effects pedals for him, and basically act as his crutch just to get him through. There was no encore which is unheard of for a headliner. That's the feeling and impression I get with Beck's latest albums and now with "Modern Guilt"...he's just barely getting by and simply fulfilling his contractual obligations. Not that there aren't some diamonds in the rough here (certainly not his best songs ever, but they're relatively good), such as "Orphans," "Gamma Ray" and title track "Modern Guilt," but the bus stops there. The remaining seven tracks meander off into cruise control, letting producer DJ Danger Mouse seemingly take full control thereby giving "Modern Guilt" a disappointingly un-Beck feel. What is the Beck feel you ask? Listen to the range of experimentation going on with every album before "Guero": boldly diving into multiple genres with a keen ear for melody, funk, folk, and mischievousness. Beck doesn't seem to be having fun anymore, not that "Sea Change" was a fun album...far from it, but it had soul. That's what's lacking from post-Sea Change Beck for me and I really want him back. Snap out of it, buddy. Please.
Allan H. gave it an8:
Solid Beck album, some great tunes like "Modern Guilt" and "Volcano".
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