Beck
Modern Guilt
XL

A new Beck album is always guaranteed to raise keen interest, his direction never set in stone. ‘Modern Guilt’ was written with Danger Mouse and covers a wide range of styles, from the gently woozy opening bars of ‘Chemtrails’ to the much more upbeat and pop-influenced ‘Gamma Ray’. The Beck vocals are right back to form, slightly up in the mix but still quite chilled in their delivery, and the album hangs together really well with its mix of psychedelia, bliss and poppy hooks. All recognisably Beck – but all very difficult to imitate, on another fine album for the pioneering songwriter.

5 Out Of 5

Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood