I took some time yesterday to read reviews of Beck’s Modern Guilt yesterday and was displeased with what I saw. Do I think it’s his greatest album? Nope. Do I think it holds up pretty well against his most recent material? Absolutely. In fact, I think it’s the most underrated album of the year. Could it be 2008’s Sky Blue Sky, which no one admitted they liked until the year-end polls were announced? Maybe.
You can read my thoughts over at Blinded by the Hype. As you read it, ask yourself who’s tried to do what Beck’s done at that level for more than a decade. Here’s a hint: Chris Cornell isn’t an acceptable answer.
Cool write up on the new Beck album. I missed “The Information” but I’ll give both a listen. I enjoy the variety of styles that Beck experimented with in his earlier albums.
I think it’s interesting that you use Sky Blue Sky as a reference point for Beck’s mediocre reception. Wilco albums, like Beck’s, have radically different approaches (and levels of critical acceptance) from one release to the next. Both artists explore outside of the sounds and styles which were well-received in the past. However, I’m not sure that I could go as far to say that Jeff Tweedy as a solo artist parallels Beck’s exploration. I agree with you that it’s difficult to find someone that has accomplished what Beck has over his lengthy career. Dude’s almost 40!
Was Sky Blue Sky not well received? I guess by the time the reviews were rolling in, I was already in love with it.
I listened to Sky Blue Sky via some one-night radio stream a few weeks before its release. I remember it completely blowing me away on first listen. I think it may have even prompted me to purchase Audio Hijack to rip the stream (and later purchase three copies of the album/iTunes for self/gifts).
I feel like some of Wilco’s best work is on that album. At least “Either Way” made me try and learn some fingerpicking guitar. 🙂