Sea Change

by

Beck

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I was having lunch in a vegetarian restaurant in Seattle when I heard this great song being played over the restaurants sound system. The singer sounded like he was accompanied by the philharmonic orchestra. I asked the waiter what was playing and he said; Beck's Sea Change. The song playing was Lonesome Tears, and I know that much because after finishing lunch I went right out and bought the CD. I am over fifty years old and mostly listen to folk music (hank dogs, hem, gillian welch, folkers like that)so buying a Beck CD was kind of out of my range. I have discovered that in the most unusual musical way that Sea Change is actually addicting. I would put a label on this CD: Warning, may be habit forming! I see that it has been referred to as a downer, a bummer, that Beck is in transition from some dark place. Do not let that steer you off course from Sea Change. The music just takes you along on this sea of sensation, and not once have I felt brought down by it. Infact it seems to put me at ease, as if I have surrendered my anxiety. I can listen to it on my way to work in the morning and last thing at night and its effect seems to have the same results, I want to play it all over again. Thank you for sharing your formidable talent,Beck. I expect your next CD to be something entirely different as that is your apparent musical nature.

Three and a half, to be exact. Three and three quarters. Just because i'm a hard grader.

Since when was sounding like the greats of the past a bad thing? Millions of us would sell our souls to the devil to make music that sounded anywhere near Nick Drake, or the Beatles, or whoever else people say this album sounds like. (Although Round the Bend does seem like it belongs over the top of River Man on Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left.) Beck has a talent for every type of music, and this album showcases one of these areas. Sea Change is yet another classic from another classic artist. Yes, artist.

Whoever says this album is boring or uncreative is not listening closely enough to the songs. The celestial background seascapes on songs like Lost Cause, Lonesome Tears, and others give the 60s and 70s an incredible modern twist that only beck could think of. It is truly incredible the little things Beck adds to his music to make it unlike anything else. The string arrangements, like in Paper Tiger, are incredible, as well. How he gels electic bleeps and whizzes and strings so completely with his ever-interesting bass lines and vocals will forever amaze me. Sea Change is a perfect example for all these things.

For those who say this album is one big block of sad, you may be right. But have you ever heard such heartfelt, focused, beautiful, intriguing sadness in all your life? Yes, i'll admit, you probably won't want to listen to this CD on your way to your wedding, or on the car ride to Disney World, but that doesn't mean its a bad album. Its just means you have to be ready for it.

Although not as free as Stereopathic Soulmanure or Mutations, Sea Change holds great value in my eyes from its sheer musical beauty.