Beck
Modern Guilt
Print
Interscope, 2008
7.6
Album Reviews
Written by Chris Fore
Monday, 14 July 2008
 On his eighth album, Beck takes a trip with producer Danger Mouse to a more psychedelic era.   Splashy beats and swirling effects give Modern Guilt an acid-tinged feel while reverbed vocals spread throughout add an almost haunting texture.  As a whole, it's no less than another inspired twist to the man's wildly prolific career.  

On Modern Guilt, Beck delivers a made-in-SoCal performance that blends sunny psych-rock with a DIY garage vibe.  It's an engaging, adventurous tour through '60s effects with a modern trip-pop edge.  From the soft distance vocals on "Chemtrails" to the fuzzed-out bounce of "Profanity Prayers" both Beck and Danger Mouse lay a groovy blanket on Beck's signature alt-rock.  Modern Guilt also has more future-leaning moments like the quirky shuffle on "Youthless", the wafting "Walls", and the metallic punch of "Soul of a Man".  

Modern Guilt has less of outstretched arm and more of a inviting, come-into-our-world appeal than Beck's earlier releases.  But it's as compelling as any of his efforts, and unsurprisingly, shows that there's even more virtuosity left in him.

MP3 Stream: "Gamma Ray"

-Chris Fore
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