In an attempt to re-create the photogenic ethereal Grammy-winning hip-hop sensation of Odelay, Beck has cut-and-pasted (in traditional Beck format) thirteen tracks together to form various styles of hip-hop magic. Each track assimilates a specific styles of music, from the latin-rooted Guero to the psuedo-Gameboy beeps and boops that form the intro to Summer Girl. From the first listen to the last, we get the feeling that Beck has lost his panache to invent and is rehashing bits and pieces from his previous experiences. What happened to the absolute production buffet of Midnite Vultures? We get glimpses and snapshots of the best dance album to hit the airwaves in Chain Reaction, but the three and a half minute song fails to achieve much of the glory that it's sonic predecessor Pressure Zone achieved in the first five seconds. It aches the listener to hear Beck flail about with his patterns, no longer is the wild horny drive to the grand finale of each song existent, instead we are treated to several minutes of generic hip-hop copycat beats with semi-indulgent lyrics, but nothing of the grand magnitude we have come to expect from such an honored musician, sonic-artist, and lyricist.
My opinion? Give Guero a run-through, then whip out and dust off your copies of Odelay and Midnite Vultures. Sit back and enjoy them, it may be a little while before we hear something of their magnitude from Beck again.
2/5

you pirate

Nah dude, I'd give it way more than 2 stars. While there is an 'Odelay' feel, this one has that same dark, melancholic righteousness thats in 'Sea Change', one of the most beautiful albums to come out in the last couple years. Taking that melancholy and injecting it with upbeat electronics and rhythms gives the tunes far more depth and complexity. It's a great cd, one to check out for sure dudes.

I agree it's worth more than 2 stars. While it's not his best work, it's definitely worthy of purchase. I like the electronic/rap element. Works for me.

Beck suffers from severe multiple personality disorder.

i liked the single he released.