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Beck has done just about everything a music artist can do. He has gone over many genres such as hip-hop, pop-rock, funk, folk, punk, and blues. Every album that Beck releases has something new to offer. Coming on to the music scene in 1994 Beck has only been around for 11 years yet he has done so much for music. Recognized for his singles Loser and Where It's At Beck has made a name for himself. When I heard his new album was coming out I was psyched. Beck is one of my favorite music artists of all time, and all of his albums amaze me.
The only problem is that Guero doesn't amaze me. While this album isn't bad Beck has nothing new to offer us, he has done all of this before and offers nothing new. I don't blame him, what else can Beck do, electronica...techno? On Guero Beck takes everything he has done and combines it all onto one album. This is a good idea but there are a few problems. I am a huge Beck fan and own all of his albums so when I am in a certain mood I look for a certain Beck album. The problem with Guero is that I can't really get into it because there are so many genres he covers on this album. There is no real mood here, just a bunch of songs that go from upbeat hip-hop songs, to laid back folk tunes, all the way over to riff based rockers. Beck definately keeps things from getting old, but this album is all over the place.
While he is all over the place all of these songs are good, there are no bad tracks. Guero is without a doubt a good album, but it is inconsistent as far as genres go. Once again, Beck covers many genres here. E-Pro, Girl and Rental Car are the riff based rockers. These songs are very rock influenced and they are extremely catchy. As far as rock songs go Beck has done better, but these tracks are still solid on there own. Earthquake Weather, Go It Alone and Scarecrow are the laid-back songs. These are all really mellow tracks and will almost force you to sit back and relax. Powered by simple guitar riffs and Beck's mumbled vocals these songs are very solid. Throughout all of the genres Beck covers Guero's high point is the hip-hop songs. Hell Yes"and Que Onda Guero are the two hip-hop songs, and they are possibly the greatest hip-hop songs Beck has ever put out. With tight beats, vocals, and lyrics these songs really get the job done. There really isn't a problem with this album, but it frusterates me because I know Beck can do better. Guero is fairly hard to get into because he goes from a tight hip-hop song, straight into a depressing, dreary folk tune. All of these songs are very solid, but Beck can do much better. The instruments on this album are quite simple. Almost all of these songs are powered by simple guitar riffs, and drum beats. The bass stands out in a few tracks, but nothing really stands out, and Beck doesn't experiment much with instruments. While this seems disappointing, I could barely tell. Beck's vocal delivery is just like it has been for eleven years. He mumbles, shouts, and sounds groovy at times. His vocals fit the mood, and are very effective and noticable on all of these songs. There are no real standout tracks when it comes to this album. All of these tracks are decent, but they're nothing amazing. When I don't compare this to anything Beck has done it still isn't excellent like I wanted it to be. If you are new to Beck than you will probably enjoy this a lot. Right now I'll start being fair and tell you how this is if you are new to Beck. Beck has a lot of range, he can do basically anything. Catchy rock songs, funky hip-hop songs, and dreary folk songs, that is what Beck is all about. Guero never gets old. Every one of these songs are different, Beck changes things up quite a bit and he doesn't repeat anything on here. Guero has no rules. There are upbeat moments, depressing moments, and fun, and exciting moments. The music also has a lot of range and style. I would say this is a fun cd, everytime I listen to it I find myself having a good time. The only problem is that the depressing songs ruin all of the fun. If I want some music to think to, than the fun and poppy songs get in the way. The indivisual tracks on Guero are all good, solid tracks, but this album doesn't flow very well together.Overall I was really upset with Guero. This is a great album, but nothing amazing like Beck's past albums. There are some fun, uplifting moments on here, and there are also a few dark, depressing, laid back moments. Guero offers a little bit of everything. Beck goes from dreary folk songs, to funky hip-hop tunes, and then back to riff based rock songs that will get you pumped up. While there is a lot of variety this album does not flow well together, unlike Beck's masterpiece Odelay! There are no bad tracks on here, but with no standout tracks Guero can seem dull and uninspired. If you are new to Beck this is a great album to go out and buy, but if you are a hardcore fan you will find yourself bored with Guero.Overall Rating : 3.5/5Pros: Vocals // No Bad Tracks // Replay ValueCons: Inconsistent // Hard to get intoRecommended TracksHell Yes // Scarecrow // Go It Alone // Rental Car
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Nice review Zebra, but I hate Beck. I have never been able to stand a single song I have heard by him. E-Pro is probably one of the most irratating songs I have ever heard.
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maybe
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Sea Change is an awesome album, but I personally prefer Mutations if I want more folk influenced Beck. Becks albums are very hard to compare since they are all so different. I agree with you SV that these songs can be boring and very dull.
Odelay! > Mutations > Sea Change > Midnite Vultures > Mellow Gold > Guero
That's how I would rank Becks albums from best to worst.
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Good review, OK album.
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Happy 40th, Zebra
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Guerolite comes out sometime soon I believe. So yeah, another remix album is going to be on the market. I think they have a bunch of the remixes on his MySpace.
That might not be the right link. Meh.
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He released Ghettochip Malfunction on a remix EP a while ago, and I own it :cool:. I think its going to be on Guerolite too.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
The remix album comes out on the 13th. This may sound odd, but I think it might be better than the original album.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I was disappointed with this album, it seemed like the first time Beck didn't do something new and wacky 
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Beck's remix album "Guerolito" came out today, I have listened too it three times so far and I can't stand it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I really am the only one who seems to appreciate Broken Drum.
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This is growing on me a little.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
AV8RS you need to check out the remix, done by Boards of Canada, it's cool (better than the original).
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That remix is pretty sweet.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
BOC remix, sounds interesting.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Could you drop a link, my knight in shining armor?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I got it off of Rhapsody, on Beck's Guerolito LP, so I don't really have a link. You could download Rhapsody and use the free trial at their website though. That song kicks.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
good review, but you really could have done without all those "Beck can do better" and "this certainly isn't Beck's best" and "Beck has done better." but solid review otherwise
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I like E-pro a lot.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
e pro is ok. His "rapping" is pretty nice on it
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