Deadweight

by

Beck

Edit

Deadweight is a great single that, unlike many of Beck's singles, does not feature any remixes. Those remixes usually only illustrate how a great song can be butchered to death.

The first song on the single is, obviously, "Deadweight." This song ranks as possibly Beck's best non-album track. The only other contenders for that honor are "Timebomb" and "MTV Makes Me Want to Smoke Crack." "Deadweight" was created for the movie soundtrack to "A Life Less Ordinary," which is not a bad movie. The song on this single is an edited version, as the original version contains two minutes more of Beck noise. The song is not weakened by the edit.

The second song on the single is "Erase the Sun." This song is similar to "Minus" and some other compositions in its noise factor. It is loud, with distorted acoustic guitar and insane lyrics hidden under the noise. If you listen to the lyrics, you will find that some of them were recycled for "Diamond Bollocks" on Mutations. "Erase the Sun" is a good song, not Beck's best, but one of his best B-sides.

The third and last song on Deadweight is "SA-5." It is a catchy, way too short track (it is only 1:38 in length). "SA-5" is a very good song, better than "Erase the Sun," but suffers because it is so short. The song could probably use another verse to make it that much better. The song's name comes from the Casio SA-5 mini keyboard that Beck has used on several early tracks (including this one).

In conclusion, Deadweight, simply stated, is a must have for any Beck fan and one of his best and most essential singles.

If you're like me, then you'll agree this song written for the film, "An Ordinary Life" was the best part of said...film. It didn't get too much play on the radios here (most of the time is now devoted to running "busy child" ad naseum)and as for buying the whole soundtrack, there was no reason as it was another alterna-compilation of already issued singles pandering to white males age 18-25. Also, the diverse Mr. Hansen provides your $ worth for the single with a bevy of 2 (count 'em, two)b-sides! always the best part of bringing a single on home.