Morning Phase

I've been a fan of Beck since 2006's The Information. I guess you could say a lot of us have been fans at one point if we enjoyed the song "Loser" back in the 90's, which was a big hit for him and an anthem of that decade. He's certainly a symbol of the 90's alternative rock scene. But more importantly he's grown as an artist over the years, adding more versatility to his impressive discography. I like going back to his quirky 90's material but I was especially impressed with albums like Sea Change. It's certainly not for everyone but no one can deny his growth and songwriting abilities.Just to be able to put together an album like this is an impressive feat. The production is spectacular, the lyrics exceptional. The songs are mellow and graceful. It's a very intimate album and it doesn't overstay it's welcome or try to over impress. It's a lush and layered album that continues to grow on the listener. If you're looking for upbeat music or quick and obvious hooks, you aren't gonna find it here. This album is a journey and it's subtle. It brings great albums back to what they used to be like, with a concept and a cohesive sound. This album will make you a better person.

Beck has been around a long time. I never listened to him. This is my introduction to his music. There are so many reasons why I shouldn't like this CD: The songs aren't the most melodically inventive. They all have a midtempo beat without much variation. But despite that, this is an AMAZING CD!!! It's Beck, the arranger, that really wows. Listening to the set on headphones is a great sonic experience. On the lovely "Turn Away," he has the predominant acoustic guitar coming out of the right speaker and augments it with a second acoustic guitar playing substantially the same thing, but with slight differences that give the music depth and adds Stephanie Bennett on harp. The harmonies and flow of the track are glorious. "Morning" is a lovely track with Beck's airy-high-register harmonies with echo chamber touches giving the music a dreamlike quality, "This morning, I let down my defenses; This morning, it was just you and me." "Blackbird Chain" is one of the most melodically distinct tracks on the disc, feeling like tumbling in space. The lyrics are complex, especially using "exegesis," which I confess sent me to the dictionary [Webster's: literary commentary, interpretation and elucidation of Holy Scriptures], "A keepsake in the dresser from who knows where, a symbol of your exegesis in a full-length mirror." Other tracks like "Wave," "Waking Light" and "Say Goodbye" are also gems. Listening to Beck's "Morning Phase" is listening to an artist in full control of his craft. Bravo!

Being an old hippie, I’m breaking “Morning Phase” down as an LP. The brief, glistening strings by Beck’s dad, David Campbell provide an excellent segue into the first real song “Morning”. Like many songs here, the album definitely has a “Sea Change” vibe. The chorus of Becks on this song are a nice touch as they are on “Say Goodbye” which reminds me a bit of Neil Young’s “Old Man”; “Blue Moon”; “Unforgiven” with its odd piano effects and quirky percussive stops and starts; and “Don’t Let It Go”, a lovely, plaintive ballad. Another favorite is “Heart is a Drum” with its thoughtful sonic ambiance in the background and fresh melody.The one real standout for me would be at the end of Side 1- “Wave”- mysterious, building in intensity, those fantastic strings by Campbell, the minimal lyrics with the word ‘isolation’ repeatedly sung at the end- pure genius! I would have liked more of this sort of thing on the record but that’s a minor complaint- Beck still shines. “Phase” is another lovely short segue with strings that introduces “Turn Away”.The songs that leave me a bit cold are “Blackbird Chain” with its flaccid lyrics and melody while “Turn Away” and “Country Down” have the same problems. “Morning Phase” ends on a definite highlight- “Waking Light” is an instant classic. The arrangement is inspired, the melody beautiful and strong, the performance owned, the psychedelic spiral freak-out at the end- this is what I crave as a Beck fan. In summation, if you loved “Sea Change” and the mellower side of Beck I’m betting you’ll love this too, possibly more as Mr. Hansen shows little sign of slowing down. I am still in awe of him.

Never really listened to Beck before and heard this through recording studio speakers. Wow! Amazing sound and really great record.