Beck Hansen has a reputation for being different. Modern Guilt is no exception
as delves into psych-rock and psych-electronica. Co-produced by Gnarls Barkley
main-man Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, it’s loaded with ‘magpied’ influences
that loop Hip Hop and Country-Rock grooves together with the psych effects.
Also, Cat Power is guest vocalist on two songs, not that you’d notice. His
career highpoint was Odelay twelve years ago (was it really that long ago?),
and to be truthful he’s only come close once, Guero in 2005. There’s
no doubt that Beck is an acquired taste, and for those who’ve crossed his path
before, things are still the same in 2008.
The apparent root musical references are Prog Rock and Psychedelia, but you never
get the feeling he’s truly understood their meaning: empirical evidence is here
for all to hear.
Led Zep, Pink Floyd and Yes were the leading lights of the genre. Admittedly,
very different stylings, all playing, and leading the way. Psychedelia’s purveyors
were Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, The Byrds, Hawkwind, and again, Pink Floyd.
On a more commercial level The Beatles’ Revolver and Sgt.Peppers. There are
certain key elements to both, with none, of a significant meaning, found here.
Another problem is that producer del Dia, Danger Mouse, has maybe too much
input. There moments when this could be Gnarls Barkley without vocal maestro
Cee Lo.
When Modern Guilt is good, it’s very good. When it’s not…, well you
know what I mean. Most of it isn’t I’m afraid.
The funky groove is here from the off with Orphans. After the thumping
opening sequence it stutters along with shades of CSNY hovering in the background,
though it’s nothing remarkable. Gamma Ray has an infectious surf beat
riff, and G-B (maybe B-52s) immediately comes to mind. It’s pretty basic stuff.
Beck’s originality emerges on spacey Chemtrails, a song about aeroplane
vapours doing climate damage. Midway, there’s thunderous rippling drumming,
creating an ominous sound. Foot tapping Modern Guilt is catchy, quite
good considering its message: isolation. Youthless promises much after the
funky groove and techno drop-ins but fails to take off. Walls is a
clattering mish-mash. Messy Replica should have been dropped – totally
pointless.
The next two – Soul Of A Man and Profanity Prayers
are equally forgettable. As much as he tries to impress on the finale,
Volcano limps out on drifting soundscapes, lacking any creativity,
particularly from that man again, Danger Mouse.
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.
