Beck - The Information

I'll get to the point quickly: Do you like Beck? In particular, do you like Beck's party records (Midnight Vultures, Odelay, even Mellow Gold)? Then go buy this record, you'll like it. Especially if you came of age when Beck was the definition of superfly cool and are in constant need of more Beck. Why? Because after last year's bleh (by Beck's high standards) Guero, this is a nice return to form. Where as Guero came off to me as kind of lazy and half assed, The Information is energetic and more focused in that ADD Beck way of being focused.

That being said, this isn't another party record: if anything, it's kind of a compromise between Beck's dueling desires to make upbeat, groove music and contemplative, aloof ballads. The music and tunes fall more into the former upbeat category, while the subject matter and lyrics are more serious. The vocal melodies are slightly tinged in sadness and regret, but hardly enough to bring you down. And Nigel Godrich's production is immaculate (surprise!), so the record sounds fantastic.

While Beck is not breaking any new ground here (rather, he's referencing many of the best moments in his catalogue), The Information is a solid outing that will satiate our desires for more of that Beck pastiche that no one else can pull off. Also, the record comes with a DVD of 15 lo-fi videos to accompany the songs. Most are on youtube somewhere, and I've enjoyed most of those that I've seen. So, check it out, you won't be blown away, but you won't be disappointed either.

Labels: Album Review, Beck