Absolute Radio: Discover real music

Back in the day when Odelay was released I'd encountered Beck only from the Loser video I saw intermittently on MTV. Liking this track and having heard a snippet of Devil's haircut, I decided to take a chance on the CD. Now considering all I lived for at that time was pure dance/garage, this was a big step. I remember listening to the album in its entirety and although it was ok I doubted that it would ever feature in my top 50 of all time. Luckily i listened a second time, and a third, and a fourth and found the sonic world of Beck opening up to me. So much so that it's addictive nature has made it one of my favourite discs of all time!! I expected more of the same from midnight vultures but was hugely disappointed. Even Guero didn't scratch that same itch. The information however has taken me back to that special place. Again it's a grower. But what a grower!!! Each track answers the music needs you require and compliments every other track. A masterpiece as good, if not better, than odelay. Free your mind and your ass will follow.

Rating: 5 out of 5

For some reason I had low expectations of this album, even though I enjoyed its predecessor "Guero", and consider "Sea Change" to be among my all-time favourite records. However, I find myself absolutely loving "The Information".

This is a bit of a hybrid of those two aforementioned albums in terms of style and mood. It runs the full gamut of Beck's repertoire to date, with quirky rhythmic bits and melancholic folky bits and everything in between.

Most importantly, it's a collection of very good songs.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Beck has always proved a bit of an enigma; part post-modern playboy and part wounded troubador and some are not sure which is best. Some would claim the shallow fun of Odelay is his stroke of genius; while others claim Sea Change (the album most claim to be a real bore-their wrong; it's beautiful) to be the one. Well with The Information I belive he's finally done it! And the reason? He's successfully married his weird, funny cool rap style with his sensitive side. The Information is all about our modern times; the confusion, the fear, the craziness is brilliantly captured on an album that will leave you breathless. So we get those crazy indie hipster rap songs of old (Elevator Music, Cellphones Dead) and beautiful heartache songs (the brilliant Soldier Jane and We Dance Alone).
Some of said the 17 tracks is a bit much, but I disagree, there's such a range of styles here you don't have time to get bored. This is a musician realising how to marry up the contrasting musical sides of his nature, as well as telling us about our messed up modern world. This is an album that reflects this time in history; and that makes it very important!
Album of the year; no doubt; possibly album of the decade! I am not kidding; buy it NOW!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Never written a review of anything before, but the return to form of America's most consistently interesting songwriter was not something I could leave unheralded. Guero, the album Beck had out only eighteen months ago, was such a major disappointment that I had no real expectations for The Information.

Well, I only bought The Information yesterday evening and I am already giving it a fifth run through, with harmonies, grooves and melodies solidifying in my mind and new sounds, unexpected angles and hidden corners being uncovered with every listen. The songwriting is better and the sound, produced expertly again by Nigel Godrich, is richer and fuller.

Beck is back, thank God(rich)!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Just a quick review while i listen to this cracking new Beck album, its a great piece of work no question on par with odelay, sea change and last years Guero if your a fan its a no brainer! go buy however if you have never listened to a beck album (and i cant imagine why not) this is a great place to start. peace out

AL

Rating: 5 out of 5