This is the fifth major label album by LA-born musical magpie and icon, Beck Hansen. Hot on the heels of 1999's Prince like funk 'Midnite Vultures', produced by Radiohead knob twiddler Nigel Godrich. This follows on where 'Mutations' left off. The soft simplicity broods across what has been billed his "break-up album", with the emotion left wide open. Lyrically more direct than he usually is, but still as inventive with his word play.
1. The Golden Age
All muted 70's drums and accoustic guitar. Beautiful melodies and lyrics with a slight Gram Parsons influence. 9/10
2. Paper Tiger
Swooping bollywood strings over electric guitar and eastern percussion. Again beautiful melodies and lyrics with his voice sounding richer than ever. 9/10
3. Guess I'm Doin' Fine
This track finds a lonesome Beck crooning over slide guitar and Nigel Goldrich's weird sound fx. Again the Gram Parson influence wears well. Fantastic. 9/10
4. Lonesome Tears
The lush string score sits well over the sparse beats n guitar. 9/10
5. Lost Cause
"your sorry eyes, they cut through bone" swoons Beck. Rumoured to be about the short lived relationship with Winnona Ryder. The lyrics strip away the veneer of the Hollywood fame thing very well. Another winner. 8/10
6. Nothing I Haven't Seen
Not as strong as the tracks so far but with the underlying piano, it makes it more than worth a listen. 7/10
7. All In Your Mind
Probably one of the saddest sounding songs from Mr Hansen with the key lyric "I wanted to be, a good friend". Another beautiful song. 8/10
8. Round The Bend
Strong Billie Holliday feel to this one mixed with mysterious eastern strings and solitary guitar strum. Superb. 8/10
9. Already Dead
Back to the soft rock muted drums and a slow burning accoustic number. One of the weaker tracks both musically and lyrically. 6/10
10. Sunday Sun
This one could've fallen off 'Pet Sounds'. Subtle latin percussion and great vocals. 7/10
11. Little One
Hints of solo John Lennon during his 'Imagine' period. Not a bad song, but not one of his strongest by far. 6/10
12. Side Of The Road
Accoustic and sparse, not much going on lyrically either and a bit of a weak closer. 6/10
This was a 9/10 album but slowly started losing points around track nine. Many people don't care much for his accoustic outpourings, but I personally love them so was disappointed towards the end of the album. It starts off very strong but feels like he ran out of songs to put on this record.
I'd say either download from iTunes the better tracks or grab the mid price bargain from Amazon for a tenner.
7/10
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Beck is really bummed. And if song titles such as "Lost Cause", "Lonesome Tears", "Already ... more
Dead" and "Nothing I Haven't Seen" don't make the point, his achingly sad lyrics andSea Change's unerringly downcast sound do. While 1998'sMutations--arguably th...
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Beck is really bummed. And if song titles such as "Lost Cause", "Lonesome Tears", "Already ... more
Dead" and "Nothing I Haven't Seen" don't make the point, his achingly sad lyrics and Sea Change's unerringly downcast sound do. While 1998's Mutations--arguably ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Chilled out almost accoustic album with the excellent lyrical content you'd expect from Beck Disadvantages: Might not be what you were expected (although i wouldn't call this a disadvantage)
mjmaltby 27.11.2004 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Sea Change - Beck
Advantages: Chilled out almost accoustic album with the excellent lyrical content you'd expect from Beck Disadvantages: Might not be what you were expected (although i wouldn't call this a disadvantage)
mjmaltby 27.11.2004 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Sea Change - Beck
Nov 21st, 2005
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