Beck Hansen is back.
Yes. That’s right. Everybody’s favourite weirdo has returned with 2005’s “Guero”. And he doesn’t disappoint…
“Guero” sees Beck returning to what he does best – being himself. Every song on “Guero” is different, and there truly is something for everyone on this album. Right, onto the review…
“Guero” opens with the first single to be released from the album, “E-Pro”. “E-Pro” has one of the catchiest riffs on the album and it will take you weeks to get it out of your head. The vocals are as weird as always “Take your eyes and your mind from the road/Shoot your mouth off but look where you’re aiming” but hey, maybe somebody else apart from me understands the lyrics. 5/5
“Que Onda Guero?” Arguably the title track of the album. The song is sung in Spanglish and is as weird as “E-Pro” lyrically. “……Guero?” does drag on a bit, however. I can imagine this song being a live favourite… 4.5/5
“Girl” This is probably the simplest song on the album featuring Beck on every instrument. Simple rhythmically, melodically and lyrically, “Girl” is not as catchy as the first two songs, but still impressed me. 4/5
“Missing” I don’t think it’s possible for Beck to write a bad song, but “Missing” is definitely not one of his best. I’ll leave you to be the judge of this song, as I don’t want to make you not buy the album. 2/5
“Black Tambourine” The highlight of the album. Possible second single and an anthem in waiting. “Black Tambourine” is also an incredibly simple song, very bassy (is that a word?!) but when the guitar drops in from time to time it definitely doesn’t spoil the song. There’s also a nice little guitar part at the end (would you call it a solo?). 5/5
“Earthquake Weather” Very strange. If any other artist wrote this song it would probably be immediately dismissed as being too weird. But this is Beck. We’ve come to expect this from the little guy. Even though the song is formless, it’s grown on me. 4/5
“Hell Yes” A sure-fire live favourite, “Hell Yes” is quite weird as well. It appears to have Beck singing, a guy in the background saying “Yeah, that’s it” and a girl who pops up in the chorus and during the bridge saying how Beck’s bass is nice and how she likes his beat. No, me neither. 4.5/5
“Broken Drum” A drawn-out acoustic guitar/metal ballad. Yes, on paper it sounds strange, but “Broken Drum” is one of Guero’s highlights. A piano, some distorted riffs, drums and an acoustic guitar (along with many other instruments) make up this fine song. 4.5/5
“Scarecrow” Another excellent song. Beck plays every instrument on this laid-back bluesy-funk song. “Sometimes the jail can’t change the cell/And the rain’s too plain to tell/All alone by a barren well/ The scarecrow’s only scarin’ himself” is one of the catchiest choruses I’ve heard in a few years. 5/5
“Go It Alone” Again, Beck plays every instrument on this song. Except for a little-known guy called Jack White on bass. Jack worked with Beck for a few of the bass lines on the album, and on this track it really shows. It’s like a slower mixture of “Black Tambourine” and “Scarecrow”. 5/5
“Farewell Ride” Well he has to slip up sometime, doesn’t he? “Farewell Ride” is a good song, don’t get me wrong. It’s definitely weaker than a lot of the other songs though. Beck uses a slide guitar to good effect, but the lyrics are quite depressing when you think about them. 3.5/5
“Rental Car” One of the heaviest songs on the album, and yet this songs main melody comes from a synthesizer! If the chorus part for the synthesizer doesn’t get you dancing along with repeated “Yeah, yeah, yeah”’s then...well…yeah. 4.5/5
“Emergency Exit” This is one of my least favourite songs on the album, with no obvious chorus, melody etc. Although these sort of songs are normal for Beck, maybe this one is just too weird… 3/5
“Send A Message To Her” (Bonus Track) A catchy intro, sing-a-long chorus along with great instrumental parts make this one of the best songs on the album and a nice, happy way to end the album. 5/5
