Music Review
Modern Guilt - Beck
Unlike previous Beck albums, Modern Guilt lacks a clear mission statement; its tracks are stylistically scattered between the updated folk of "Chemtrails," the minimal electronica of "Replica," and the modern psych-rock of "Gamma Ray." And while some genre explorations work better than others ("Gamma Ray," for instance, is easily the best track here), Danger Mouse has woven together a disparate arrangement that never feels out of place. The record, though, very rarely sounds adventurous—there are few, if any, boundary-pushing moments—and it'll make listeners realize they expected more of a collaboration between two such talented musicians.
Lyrically, Beck is at his darkest since Sea Change, swapping that album's personal heartbreak for apathetic declarations about the world at large. Claiming on "Orphans" that "We're all just orphans in a tidal waves' wake," it's clear we have on our hands a world-weary, bummed-out bohemian who's not particularly stoked about the way things are going. Sad! Especially considering there's no flip-side, no suggestion of change ahead: "All I can take from these scars is hope / But all I can see in this night are boats sinking," he sings on "Chemtrails."
Certainly there's nothing wrong with feeling overwhelmed by modern life (right, everyone else in the world?), but the everything sucks bathos doesn't always make for convincing storytelling. So Modern Guilt isn't a Dylanesque masterpiece of social commentary or a groundbreaking sonic achievement, but for the most part, it is a compelling listen. One of the few top-selling musicians still willing to take chances, Beck can be praised for his unwillingness to stay in one place for too long. And while this particular metamorphosis isn't his finest, we're always willing to see what comes next.
Related: Beck, Modern Guilt, Music Review, Pop
Posted by: obamabatmitsva on July 17, 2008 3:59 PM
As far as Scientology, the facts point to Beck being born into it.
Posted by: jackson on July 18, 2008 1:44 AM
I think modern guilt may be beck attempting to cry out for help from scientology, read some of these lyrics;
I feel uptight when I walk in the city
I feel so cold when I'm at home
Feels like everything's starting to hit me
I lost bed ten minutes ago
-Many Scientologist have experienced intense feelings of paranoia, brought on by the institutionalized belief that the world is against scientology.
Modern guilt I'm under lock and key
-Frequently when scientologist inciate members into their higher levels, they will begin a period of forced isolation.
As for the term, "Modern Guilt."-
[Modern Guilt], Don't know what I've done but I feel ashamed
-Another scientology ritual has the aim to induce intense loyalty, which involves getting the subject to admit to things they have done in the past, and crimes which they didnt even comit.
These people talk about impossible things
And I'm falling down the conversations
-Few Scientologist who may be rushed into heirarchal registration find the advanced beliefs very difficult to believe. This is because scientology is designed to break down your resistance to new and new beliefs over time.
Modern guilt is all in our hands
Modern guilt won't get me to bed
Say what you will
Smoking my cigarette
Don't know what I've done but I feel afraid
-Easy enough, Beck may be feeling that scientology is a mixed up and made up religion, and that he is very stressed about losing his life to it further. As he was born into it, he may feel that he had no other option but scientology.
I hope you get better Beck, that maybe you break out of this cults hold! I want you to know that their are alternatives and that you should feel safe.
Posted by: Kingbling on September 4, 2008 11:56 PM
I think it could be said that you could track the downward trend of Beck's albums directly to his joining Scientology.
The average person is always bummed when they hear this news, man people still refuse to believe thats he drank the koolaid- -but he's a Xenu lover.
HIs wife got him into it and he has been going down a terrible path ever since. R.I.P. Beck, you were good while you lasted.