[.ca] Midnite Vultures (Ltd.Ed)

From Amazon.com:
When Beck mangles folk, hip-hop, country, blues, and lo-fi rock into a unique sonic species, he pays homage to his influences in a way that is utterly entertaining. Indeed, the alt-rock vagabond is responsible for some of the 1990s' most indispensable music. In his lesser moments, however, Beck's attempts at emulating his preceptors fall flat, creating only B-grade versions of the genuine articles. Midnite Vultures splits down the middle between the great Beck and the not-so-great Beck. About half the album gorges on retro pulp fiction, a "Becksploitation," if you will, where his relatively straightforward impersonations shortchange his influences. On the slow-burn soul tracks "Peaches and Cream" and "Debra" or the 808-driven tributary "Hlwd. Freaks," he lacks the pipes, heart, and history to pass as a legitimate double-breasted soul man or old-school rapper. The other half, finding Beck in his element, is exhilarating. His unfaltering studio mastery is especially evident on standouts such as the horn-punched "Sexx Laws," the steamy, slap-bass-blasted "Nicotine and Gravy," and the wah-wah bombast of "Mixed Bizness." The album proves that Beck playing the straight-up funkateer will never match ranks with the raw talents of Marvin Gaye, George Clinton, or Prince, but as long as he adheres to more inventive genre splicing, he remains compelling in his own right. --Beth Massa

nice:
I can understand why people get scared off, they're trying to take this album too seriously. It's not about beautiful music and deep lyrics. It's about funky bass, horn - everything - lines, sex, and anything that rhymes. Listen to Hollywood Freaks and you'll understand: Hot milk/Mmmm...tweak my nipple/Champagne and ripple/Shamans go cripple - why would you even try to take this seriously? Just sit back and enjoy.

come dance with me:
This is one of the most enticing albums that have ever graced my ears. All tracks on the album are standouts, all could be singles. Of course, favorites cannot be avoided, but even these seem to swim in the great bombastic dance album that is "Midnight Vultures". Songs like "Mixed Bizness", "Sexx Laws", and "Debrah" simply outdo themselves. This album takes me to a place and time where contemporaries would include Dianna Ross, James Brown, and Run DMC. I'm shoved about by this music willingly, from one era to the next. I never lose my energy, and neither does Beck.

groovin Beck:
love this cd, its always in my player. I cannot stay in a bad mood after hearing these tunes. Audio prozac. Love ya beck

an entire album of "Where it's At":
Ok. "Where it's at" was a good tune. But an entire album in the same style? That is basically what this is. Does it work? Not really. This record is average at best compared to Mellow Gold or Odelay. Die-hard Beck fans only need apply. I am a Beck fan, and I don't really like this. I highly suggest listening to this before you buy it. If you are expecting anything like Mellow Gold or Odelay, you will be dissapointed.

I wanna defy the logic of all sex laws...:
Beck's 4th album is really exceptional for the most part but some songs taint the beauty of Midnite Vultures. While Beck in the past has touched on several music genres, Midnite Vultures gets to the '70s funk side of Beck. The first song, 'Sexx Laws' is the highlight of the album. It's one of those songs you just have to dance to, no matter what you're doing. The next two songs live up to the awesome funkiness of this album. But then comes the low point of Vultures. 'Get Real Paid' & 'Hollywood Freaks' tap into the hip-hop side of Beck with terrible results. If there is one genre Beck shouldn't try to tap into as a ridiculously talented music artist, it's hip-hop. But (thankfully) those are the only two songs on the album that fall into that category. The album finishes off beautifully with high points at 'Peaches and Cream', 'Milk & Honey', & 'Pressure Zone'. Beck taps into new genres with every album. The '70s funk influence on this album shows the unsung genius of Beck and with the exception of the two tainted songs, Midnite Vultures is yet another great Beck album.

• Sexx Laws
• Nicotine & Gravy
• Mixed Bizness
• Get Real Paid
• Hlwd. Freaks
• Peaches & Cream
• Broken Train
• Milk & Honey
• Beautiful Way
• Pressure Zone
• Debra