Beck - Mellow Gold
Released 1994.
It's been exactly ten years since Beck came out of nowhere and hit it big with this Bluesy/Folky/Hip-Hoppish/Noisy Rock album.
While Grunge was at the receiving end of a loaded shotgun. Beck was showing a more unusual yet entertaining and amusing side to depression. This was Beck's first major label album. Made with a mere $200 bucks in his wallet. Produced by himself, Karl Stephenson, Tom Rothrock, and Rob Schnapf. The Album was recorded on a 4-Track Mixer. He Quickly got the attention of Kids around the nation with his huge debut hit single "Loser", in which he also recorded most of the footage for the music video himself; Beck was beginning to feel high.
...Well I guess that's what happens when you're acquainted with Bong Load Records. :amaze:
1.
Loser -
This song while containing some of Beck's most negative lyrics, it still has a lot of humor. Consisting of a looped sample of Dr. John's "I Walk On Guilded Splinters". Beck's lyrics through the verses are almost rapped lazily without effort on purpose, moving a song with this 'Slacker' tone that Beck gets away with without sounding too dull. The chorus of this song is in spanglish. ("Soy Un Perdedor..." stands for "I'm A Loser...") The sample "I'm a driver, I'm a winner, things are gonna change, I can feel it" is from Steve Hanft's movie
Kill The Moonlight. This song was huge, it was basically one of the songs that defined the 90's. While it may not be his best, it is the song that he is most remembered for. 5/5
2.
Pay No Mind (Snoozer) -
Starts off with a friend of Beck's threatening Beck over his answering machine to put this song on the album. This is a very mellow sounding folk type song with yet, more of Beck's humor at it's finest and a nice Harmonica solo. The line "Give the finger to the Rock & Roll singer as he's dancing upon your paycheck" never fails to make me laugh. One of my favorite Beck songs. 4.5/5
3. [b]Fu
ckin' With My Head (Mountain Dew Rock) -
This song reminds me of Creedence Clearwater Revival so much. It's a very nice Rock song, With a brilliant catchy chorus that just Fu
cks with your head. It's a great song to listen to while having a few beer with your pops or just hanging out. 4.5/5
4.
Whiskeyclone, Hotel City 1997 -
This is a very odd track coming from an odd type like Beck. It consists of percussive instruments (Maracas perhaps?) rattling as an old acoustic guitar plays while Beck sings in a very melancholy tone "...She can talk to squirrels." As I said before It's a Bluesy-like odd track that will take more than one listen to actually be able to appreciate.. 4/5#
5.
Soul Suckin' Jerk -
One of the first songs I actually enjoyed a lot when I first heard this CD. It has some weird changes in between. Going from Almost hip-hoppish to Heavy, then going into a polka type moment with an accordion playing during a chameleon like Chorus., which then follows a nice drum fill that goes into something more funkier. The lyrics on this song are hilarious with an odd story of getting back at your boss, and getting fired; afterwards witnessing some very strange events. 4.5/5
6.
Truck Drivin' Neighbors Downstairs (Yellow Sweat) -
Starts off with a recording of two of Beck's neighbors getting in a fight late one night. The loud noise you hear is of a window being smashed.
The music is two acoustic guitars. While Beck sings with a deep voice, imitating a drunken fat loser. It's a silly song, but it's still good. 4/5
7.
Sweet Sunshine -
Starts off with a the sounds of a music box, then goes into a very funked up drum beat, followed by some distorted rock vocals coming from Beck. Filled with noises and effects. This song isn't one of the highlights but it's still a good one that doesn't need to be skipped. 4/5
8.
Beercan -
A very hip-hoppish and Bluesy track. This song has a lot of effects. Beck's lyrics are nice but hard to make out at times. The rhythm itself just gives you the urge to want to dance. Great song. 4.5/5
9.
Steal My Body Home -
This is my favorite song off this album. It's a very depressing sounding track which, once again, contains more of Beck's humor. This time it shows up later though. Changing the song almost entirely from a bass heavy slow paced song with what sounds like a sitar, to a jangly percussion and noisy piece with almost what sounds like Beck was just banging on random stuff in his kitchen. Giving this mellow beauty an extremely weird ending. This track almost sounds out of place but it's still, IMO, one of the highlights on this album. 5/5
10.
Nitemare Hippy Girl -
A very folky acoustic guitar and drum song with some nice (and funny) lyrics about a Nitemare Hippy girl. :p Not much to say about this song. It's just a simple but nice sounding piece. 4/5
11.
Mutherfuker -
No that's not a typo. This is the heaviest track on the album. It's a Very Noisy Short Punk-like song with Beck's distorted voice oftenly yelling out "Everyone's out to get you Muthafuker!" over some guitar feedback and a very hyped up punk beat. 4/5
12.
Black Hole -
This is the last song on the album. And probably the most serious sounding as well. It contains a Violin in it as well. It's very folky. I'm sure this song will not fail to get caught in your head. Beck's voice fits the melody perfectly. Repeating the first line twice. "Watching..watching..." and so on...
It is a great album closer. And a good way to keep the album on a more 'Mellow' note. 4.5/5
...Don't forget to turn your stereo down for that noise up ahead though. ;)
This album might go a bit overboard on the silliness. But Beck still manages to bring lots of laughs from this album. 10 years later and I still enjoy this album to its fullest.
I gave this album a
4/5.
