Product Description

The pop chameleon Beck returns for a tenth studio LP, this time produced under the watchful eye of the prolific Dangermouse. Ever the contrarian, Beck's evolving sound here pays homage to British beat groups of the 1960s, especially on cuts like 'Beggars Shoes' and the title track itself. In keeping with this more economical sound and approach, the album itself is notably shorter than previous Beck efforts, barely scraping over the half-hour mark. 'Modern Guilt' also benefits from the contribution of Cat Power on backing vocals on several songs.

Track Listing

1. Orphans
2. Gamma Ray
3. Chemtrails
4. Modern Guilt
5. Youthless
6. Walls
7. Replica
8. Soul of A Man
9. Profanity Prayers
10. Volcano

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #975 in Music
• Released on: 2008-07-07
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
If there’s one thing that’s proved consistent about Beck Hansen, it’s that every fresh record will be a curveball, and so it is with Modern Guilt. If 2006’s The Information felt like a return to familiar Odelay territory, a gleaming beats-and-raps record with an eerie futuristic twist perhaps inspired by its maker’s interest in Scientology, its follow-up feels like a step out again into uncharted territory. Recorded with the help of hip-hop beat-maker turned multi-talented producer Brian ‘Danger Mouse’ Burton, Modern Guilt is a foggy, sometimes distant-sounding affair apparently inspired by canyon-dwelling psychedelic rock, conspiracy theories, and end-of-the-world angst. "You and me hit by a test of white evil/Watching the jet planes go by", he strains, urgently, on "Chemtrails", eyes fixed to the sky. "Orphans" and "Walls", two songs recorded with Cat Power’s Chan Marshall feel like a bit of a missed opportunity, Chan’s vocals pushed too far back in the mix. But Danger Mouse’s beats are a delight, giving what could be quite morose numbers like "Gamma Ray" a skippy, vintage beat group feel. All in all, it’s not Beck at his most engaging or playful, but there’s a thoughtful, mature quality to Modern Guilt that you don’t find when he’s playing postmodern prankster, and it’s got much to recommend it. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews

Album of the year
Absolutely amazing album.

I originally bought it on download, but I've now bought the proper CD as compressed MP3 really doesn't do justice to all the layers and vibes going on.

Easily Beck's best album since the glorious Odelay. Definately his most accessible. Yes it is only half an hour long, but when you listen to it you don't feel short changed, it's half an hour beauty.

Innovative, wise and most of all you can dance to it.

Love it.

Pleasent surprise
Couldnt really be bothered with another beck album boring me to sleep none the less i was given this cd as a gift and well..............what a surprise! each song flows into the other like sweating cheese and before you know it your putting it on again and again and ag.... you get the drift if you like your chedder seriously sweaty then buy this it is MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Competent, but no classic
'Modern Guilt' has the feeling of an 'in-between' album, although having said that, Beck's last truly great album was 'Sea Change' - 'The Information' and 'Guero' had moments of brilliance, but were incomparible to 'Midnite Vultures' or 'Odelay'.

I think the saddest thing about this album is that its hard to even pick one song that could have been a decent launch single. Its all just... samey, which is a shame.

I've not given up on Beck, because he clearly has talent... but this feels like an album cranked out in his sleep.