Sea Change [DVD Audio] - Beck

...certain tracks here and there, Sea Change is still an all time favourite.
Sea Change (produced by Nigel Godrich), originally released on 4 different CDs, with just the covers differing and none of them giving you the lyrics in a less annoying and difficult to read style, is still one of my favourite albums.
This DVD-A, despite including the videos, isn't a whole world different. But for suckers like me, who not only bought the 4 CDs ...
...One is like a soothing sea shanty for those adrift and lost out in the sea of confused and broken feelings.
Side Of The Road, the last track, is a lazy acoustic, blues driven song that ambles away almost insignificantly. A fitting finale for this LP.

The videos. (6/10) create an atmosphere of lonesome woe and lamenting.
Lost Cause:- Cleverly illustrates Beck breaking down, after his marriage did the same.

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I'm a huge Beck fan and despite not over enjoying certain tracks here and there, Sea Change is still an all time favourite.
Sea Change (produced by Nigel Godrich), originally released on 4 different CDs, with just the covers differing and none of them giving you the lyrics in a less annoying and difficult to read style, is still one of my favourite albums.
This DVD-A, despite including the videos, isn't a whole world different. But for suckers like me, who not only bought the 4 CDs and a promo version of the album, just had to have these pleasingly amateur-esque videos.

If ever anybody poured their heart out on an album like Beck does here, please let me know. Trent Reznor didn't do bad on Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails. (Entirely different bag though!).
STANDOUT TRACKS*.
Opening with The Golden Age* preparing you somewhat, for the forthcoming sentiment filled sounds, summed up by the lyrics "drive all night just to feel like your OK"
On Paper Tiger, Beck just sounds like he's trying too hard to sing in a diverse manner, which he usually does so naturally when choosing to.
Guess I'm Doing Fine* is self assessment by a bewildered Beck. Seemingly continued on Lonesome Tears*, Beck reminisces whilst questioning all the usual relationship breakdown angles.
Lost Cause* finds Beck searching for some solid ground for which to re-engage his sanity, accepting that life goes on, and maybe, just maybe, that it could be for the best, that life goes on.
End Of The Day is a bit too reserved and restrained, failing to engage the listener. An album filler.
It's All In Your Mind* is a rework of an early Beck favourite. Realising where his head and heart were at, deciding to cover this track was a stroke of genius, giving it the true tragic edge Beck hinted at when he first did it in his earlier, crazier days, when his sound was locked and loaded with entirely different ammo and his musicianship obviously less established.
Round the Bend returns to End Of The Day mode, but with even less enthusiastic singing.
Already Dead* is a side of the road blues salesman's anthem, making you listen intently as it's subtle hooks slowly pulling you in with an empathetic line.
Sunday Sun's multi layered offering of broken thoughts, for me, is made with the piano solos here and there, leading us to the tracks chaotic finale. Oh, did I mention the piano solos?
Little One is like a soothing sea shanty for those adrift and lost out in the sea of confused and broken feelings.
Side Of The Road, the last track, is a lazy acoustic, blues driven song that ambles away almost insignificantly. A fitting finale for this LP.

The videos. (6/10) create an atmosphere of lonesome woe and lamenting.
Lost Cause:- Cleverly illustrates Beck breaking down, after his marriage did the same.

Guess I'm Doing Fine ( by Spike Jonze ) :- Shows Beck dragging himself around, wallowing in self pity, with his guitar as his only companion, despite having been thrown away by it's heartbroken owner Beck. Becks way of showing that even though he's hurting, and not interested in creating music, it's a sure way of exorcising those damn inner demons.

Little one :- A collage of arty camera tricks, compiled nicely to create a video!

Round The Bend :- Imagine the cover of Sea Change stirring into motion early on a Sunday!

Lonesome Tears ( by Jason Lee ) :- Starring Jasons best buddy, ( both from My Name Is Earl fame )is resembant of track 2 with different settings and playthings. Possible re-enactment of the split with his wife ( apparently it took place over the phone ).

The Golden Age :- A dusky beach, lit with a sunset of imaginable beauty, and Beck dressed like a Womble, playing his guitar on the sad and lonely seashore.

So, to summarise the whole package... A must have for Beck fans, but just go out and buy the standard CD, so you at least have this music in your collection.
An undisputable show of maturity, revisiting Becks 'Mutations' LP, again shattering any labels placed on Beck.

 

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