Stereopathetic Soulmanure - Beck

Advantages: Another great album of contradictions
Disadvantages: none

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 ...
...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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review