23 tracks of relief for those who suffered any regret buying Beck’s debut album Mellow Gold on the strength of the catchy (and funky) Loser hit. On the sleeve, Beck Hansen strums banjo besides an ice-cream stand, wearing a Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper mask, daring the world to take him seriously. ... Read review
A review by ihatebroccoli on Stereopathetic Soulmanure - Beck August 3rd, 2000
Author's product rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
Advantages:
Another great album of contradictions
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
23 tracks of relief for those who suffered any regret buying Beck’s debut album Mellow Gold on the strength of the catchy (and funky) Loser hit. On the sleeve, Beck Hansen strums banjo besides an ice-cream stand, wearing a Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper mask, daring the world to take him seriously. The record company Geffen did, and this album example of the slacker artist’s early years (1989-'93), highlights the bravery of their decision. Beck and his loft-dwelling pals take a good shot at wooden-porch blues, Deliverance-style hillbilly, Tom Waits, Sonic Youth and country rock, punctuated with what sounds like acid-befuddled diary entries. Worth pursuing.
Tracklist:
Pink Noise (Rock Me Amadeus) Rowboat Thunder Peel Waitin' For A Train The Spirit Moves Me Crystal Clear (Beer) No Money No Honey 8.6.82 Total Soul Future (Eat It) One Foot In The Grave Aphid Manure Heist Today Has Been A F***ed Up Day Rollins Power Sauce Puttin It Down 11.6.45 Cut 1/2 Blues Jagermeister Pie Ozzy Dead Wild Cat Satan Gave Me A Taco 8.4.82 Tasergun Modesto
Advantages: songs and wit Disadvantages: somewhat irritating intermezzi
This collection of songs - don't waste your time looking for coherence - dates from the very beginning of Beck's career. Back then he just played in any bar that would let him, slept on the street, mooned cars, stole beer... Quite a contrast with his recent shows with neon lights, sax players, background choir and giant beds coming out of the sky!
I love "Stereopathetic Soul Manure" because it never bores, to say the least: changing from "Pink Noise", ... ...to the beautifully laidback country song "Rowboat" - even Johnny Cash's cover isn't as good as the original! - isn't something you'd expect from "the 'Loser' guy". After those promising openers you can expect more stripped-down country, some straightforward ("Thunder Peel") and somewhat less straightforward ("Tasergun") rock, hilarious spoken word parts and at times slightly irritating noise intermezzos. He might not do THAT much, but WHAT he does ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Notes: Contains a hidden track "No Money No Honey Pt.1" right before "No Money No Honey Pt. 2 and 2 hidden tracks after "Aphid Manure Heist Pt. 1." Personnel includes: Beck (vocals, various instruments, programming); Bobby Hecksher (guitar); Leo Le Blanc (pedal steel); Anna (bass); Lisa, Rachel, Dallas (drums); Johnny Cashmachine (background vocals). Recorded between 1988 and 1993. When Beck made the major-label deal that resulted in his 1994 debut album MELLOW GOLD, his contract stipulated that he be allowed to release his less commercial projects on indie labels. The tireless troubadour took full advantage, releasing both STEREOPATHETIC SOUL MANURE and ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE in the same year as MELLOW GOLD. Like its companion album ONE FOOT... STEREOPATHETIC SOUL MANURE is a combination of wacky 4-track antics, bizarre electronic sounds, and primitively recorded, postmodern takes on traditional folk/blues styles. While many of the cuts are little more than sonic gags and absurdist audio collage (Beck's dada streak goes back to his grandfather, a member of the Fluxus art movement), some memorable songs peek out of the chaos. "Rowboat," a folk/country prayer for redemption, was covered by no less a figure than Johnny Cash. "Today Has Been a Fucked Up Day" could be a folk anthem of existentialism. Though this isn't the best place to encounter Beck's myriad talents, SOUL MANURE accurately represents both Beck's reckless, experimental side and his traditional leanings.
Album Reviews: Spin (12/94, p.104) - Highly Recommended - "His folk music sounds most sincere when he piles on the star wars and other galactic funk....a far richer album, fitting folk and new wave and blues and punk together..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Pink Noise (Rock Me Amadeus)
2.: Rowboat
3.: Thunder Peel
4.: Waitin' For A Train
5.: Spirit Moves Me
6.: Crystal Clear (Beer)
7.: No Money No Honey
8.: 8.6.82
9.: Total Soul Future (Eat It)
10.: One Foot In The Grave
11.: Aphid Manure Heist
12.: Today Has Been A Fucked Up Day
13.: Rollins Power Sauce
14.: Puttin' It Down
15.: 11.6.45
16.: Cut 1/2 Blues
17.: Jagermeister Pie
18.: Ozzy
19.: Dead Wild Cat
20.: Satan Gave Me A Taco
21.: 8.4.82
22.: Tasergun
23.: Modesto
24.: (untitled)
25.: (untitled)
26.: (untitled)
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Listed on Ciao since : 03/08/2000
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