The Information (Beck, 2006)

[X.]

Beck is one of America’s coolest musicians. He’s like the local doofus who trips over curbstones, gets up, dusts off his clothes, and then goes home to his bedroom to make genius music. “The Information” is Beck’s new album; it’s possibly his greatest album since his debut “Odelay.” Produced by Nigel Goodrich who is a regular Radiohead collaborator, “The Information” has sophisticated sonic engineering, and it is driven farther by Beck’s eclectic mix of folk, hip-hop, rock and, of course, served up in his trademark absurdist humour ("I think I'm love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so...."). The CD was released with no cover artwork. Beck worked with art directors to choose a set of stickers that allows fans to make their our own customised cover.This reminds me of another favourite artist Duncan Sheik who released “White Limousine” as a 2-disc set with the second DVD-ROM disc -- called YOURS -- that included instructions and software to allow fans to remix and re-engineer his entire album. An interesting way to democratise music.

Back to “The Information” -- as the title suggests, there’s the theme of technology and how it liberates and isolates people. With tracks like “1000 BPM” and, specifically, “Dark Star” and “The Horrible Fanfare/ExoSkeleton,” Beck gives further proof of his interests in Science and Space Travel. (He is a Scientologist after all). It’s difficult to pick the best tracks because the album is so good. But, pressed against a wall, I’d go for “I Think I’m in Love,” “Strange Apparitions,” "The Information" title track and the David Bowie influenced “Dark Star.” “The Information” is a funky, meticulously produced slice of psychedelic electronica pop. And it will win Beck, the chameleon, many more fans.

Rating:
out of

[njduffy72]

Funny thing... after Mellow Gold - Beck's debut record -  I dismissed Beck as soulless tat and was never prepared to give him a go and then... he showed up on 'Later... with Jools holland' (cutting edge music show in UK) and did a song called 'Clap Hands' - this was 2 years back, and it came off the limited edition of Guero. I was in. I Snapped it up asap and  it was a heady soundscape of rhythm and beats... it was intoxicating. Never looked back - 'Girl' is impeccable stuff.

So, converted, I was all over the release of The Information - which I thought was even better. It's pretty flawless stuff, gotta say... but AK, I have to add that Soldier Jane is another stand out track.

Interesting you mention the David Bowie influence... and, Ok this isn't directly related to Beck - but there's a great track from Blur called 'Strange News from Another Star' which I recommend you give a listen too.

[X.]

...but AK, I have to add that Soldier Jane is another stand out track.

Strangely enough, I found Soldier Jane a bit laconic, very much in the old Beck of "Sea Change" vein. Still, a terrific track, but, in all earnestness, I much prefer the others.

On Blur, what do you make of Albarn's new project The Good, The Bad and the Queen? Gave their first single a couple of listens; not very impressed.

[njduffy72]

Well, funny enough I was going to mention this... two albums constantly spinning with me at the moment - The Good, The Bad and The Queen and Darkel - which I'll get to in a minute.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen didn't get me initially but the more I played it, the more I was getting it. Having played it relentlessly for the past two weeks, have to say, it's won me over. Give it a chance AK, it will work it's spell...  Like a most albums that Albarn has a hand in half of it's awesome and the rest forgettable. 'Herculean' 'The History Song' 'Kingdom Come' 'Bunting Song' 'Green Fields' and the storming 'The Good, Bad, The Queen' are sonic stunners; I'll be surprised if I hear a collection of tracks as good as this all year. Albarn is a genius; he re-invents himself for every record and get's out at the time before getting to associated with something.

Darkel is the debut album by 'Air' boy JB Dunckel. Much like an Air album, it's full of sweet, smooth chilled out sounds... there's a sweet deceptiveness of the lyrics, blended with an elegiac new age synth feel... 'Be my Friend' and 'TV Destroy' are gems.

[X.]

Honestly, Duff, I've had a stormy relationship with Albarn's other project Gorillaz. His propensity to experiment and try different things is notable, but -- call me an old foggy -- I like the idea of a certain kind of consistency from a musician. Albarn's side projects disorient me a little. That said, to be fair, will be giving "The Good, The Bad and The Queen" a listen soon.

And thanks for the Darkel tip.