IN REVIEW: Beck - "Morning Phase"

Of all the varied and eclectic of Beck's albums, perhaps none was more of a left turn than 2002's Sea Change. When it was released, critics stood agape at its rawness and emotion. Go figure: after almost a decade of pushing limits with slacker folk, warped hip-hop and gonzo disco groove, his serious singer/songwriter turn was the one that they didn't see coming.

Still, Sea Change is arguably Beck's most well-received album; a heartbroken and haunted set of tunes, it (perhaps more than any other Beck album) demands a specific mood. It won't have any of your good times, optimism or foot tapping, as there's nary an upbeat number to be found. The songs are pulled off wonderfully, but they're almost alienating in their relentless sullenness. As someone who prefers bold, genre-defying Beck to moody, despaired Beck, it's not one of my favourites even though I respect its vision.

So, when Morning Phase was heavily compared in advance press to Sea Change, I couldn't help but lower expectations. This isn't just because I'm not personally a fan of Sea Change; more so, why try to follow up what many consider your greatest work with something that aspires to be so similar? Especially once you've forfeited the element of surprise that Sea Change had going for it?

To be fair to fans (and to flip off mainstream press of the record), Morning Phase isn't quite the "sequel" it has been advertised as in some circles. It's a slow record, to be sure, and one that favours quiet reflection over wild experimentation, but that's where the similarities start to dry up. More relaxed and assured than vulnerable and hopeless, Morning Phase isn't born of the same heartache and fears that Sea Change was. An album like that can only come from one place at one time, so it's a foolish and contrived endeavour to try and replicate it.

Heart Is A Drum is enough of an illustration of the differences between the two albums, a mid-tempo ray of sunshine that sounds like Slayer compared to Sea Change's fastest numbers. Also, the use of orchestration on several tracks (especially around the album's midsection) is a clear sign of separation. Many songs that would have been stark, cold tunes on Sea Change reach for the stars here, shimmering with dramatic flourish.

Overall, by using more colour and a greater variety of tempos, Morning Phase is a more enjoyable album than Sea Change. However, these moments of enjoyment are brief entries into a sum that's more ballad than breezy. Moreover, when compared to albums that are NOT Sea Change, it still feels especially timid and sluggish. Call me a stubborn old goat, but after waiting about six years between studio albums I'm a bit let down; I wanted reason to be excited for Morning Phase, but I'm afraid excitement isn't what Beck's looking for this time around.

February 25, 2014 • Capitol

Highlights Morning • Heart is a Drum • Blue Moon

Year in Rock 2025

Alright, I've got some explaining to do. By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but: a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...

Year in Rock 2014: And the Winners Are...

It's been a long year, and another great one for rock n' roll. While the pop charts were overrun with barely legals obsessed with their asses, rock soldiered on undeterred even as pundits (hell, in some cases even rockers themselves) mourned the genre. Sure, rock didn't dominate the money game in 2014, but that shouldn't evoke sad nostalgia and eulogies. Even for as little perceived impact rock music made, a hell of a lot happened if people had only paid attention. From grizzled vets adding jewels to their crown (Springsteen, Petty) to new beginnings (Against Me!, Antemasque) to happy returns (Faith No More, The Tea Party) and all points in between, rock continued to thrive, evolve and thrill in 2014. Enough talk. It's winning time. Your Year in Rock winners for 2014 are...

Hear Me Out: Why Do A Greatest Hits Album?

So, Silversun Pickups announced a "singles collection" today. Now, I'm no expert on "singles" or "hits" compilations; even so, I've got to say this announcement threw me for a loop for a couple of reasons. For starters, isn't it a bit early for a band like Silversun Pickups to be given the "greatest hits" treatment? I know, I know, it's a "singles collection". But, come on; it looks like a greatest hits album, it smells like a greatest hits album, so on so forth. More importantly, though, are these really necessary entities in 2014? I mean, who is this album for? Casual fans who've already downloaded the singles they like or established fans who are expected to shill out $15 for one new song?

SOUND BITES

Search This Blog