|
Review: Beck "Guerolito"
By Ankitha Bharadwaj
With labels mates like Eminem, Dr. Dre, and The Game, Interscope's Beck is definitely an artist that stands out on his own record label. Ankitha Bharadwaj reviews the “remix album” to the “Guero”, quaintly entitled, “Guerolito”.
Interscope’s psychedelic asset, Beck released a remix of his toe-tapping album Guero, with a long list of bizarre videos and head-scratching lyrics comes his latest album Guerolito.
Beck is ranked among those few jewels who had been able to maintain popular status attained in the early 90's to today. Although some may regard him as being an old, outdated wannabe who’s trying desperately to hold on to any strands of fame dangling in front of him. Beck still manages to outdo the superstars of today and continues to keep people in wondrous anxiety for his next album release.
Guerolito is no exception to Beck’s reputation. The album starts off with “E-Pro”, remixed by Homelife. Although the familiarity of the original song is lost in the remix, the new “Ghost Range (E-Pro)” is equally or even more catchy. Some would argue that there are too many noises and distractions in the song, but then again, that person’s probably not very familiar with Beck’s innovative style. The background music and apparently “unnecessary” beats do all tie together to give the song a head-bobbing vibe.
From “Ghost Range (E-Pro)”, the album proceeds to “Que Onda Guero” remixed by Islands, a funky song that asks a very meaningful question: Guero, where are you going? Paying close attention to the lyrics results in hysterical laughter. This Latino influenced track includes everything from a vegetable man driving a vegetable van to a popsicle melting. Then all of a sudden in the middle of the song, the track begins to sound distorted. I feel that this part of the song takes away from the overall essence. But then again, it is Beck. This guy can make anything work. What else is left to be said?
Guerolito entails quite a handful of catchy songs as well as a healthy balance of emo-esque songs. One being “Missing” remixed by Air. Just the creepy backdrop is enough to force you to push the forward button. And despite the almost cheery tune of “Girl”, the lyrics suggest otherwise. This song’s message is somewhat unclear, but definitely connotes something more brooding.
While checking out Guerolito, I was also listening to Green Day’s American Idiot, and I noticed that unlike American Idiot, Beck’s album doesn’t string the songs together to convey an overarching story. Although there is no transition from one song to the other, the tracks do connect the rhythm of the album by maintaining an “upbeat-downbeat-upbeat” pattern. The songs are arranged in such a way that a few are upbeat, then they become more dark, then the songs return to the cheery mood.
All in all, this album is suitable for playing and working out to, or just hanging out with friends while looking at some weird art. Picasso perhaps?
|
|
