Guero - Beck

Beck keeps it interesting -- and pretty clean

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Common Sense rates it
4
Heard the music? Review it
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Beck
  • Genre: Rock
  • Label: Geffen Records
  • Parental Advisory: No
  • Edited Version: No
  • Release Date: 03/29/2005

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that a few conceptually violent words are used, either with gentle instrumental tracks or as poetic non sequiturs.

Families can talk about the power of musical context, and whether the words "trigger" and "noose" (for example) seem more or less threatening over soft, sweet instrumentals than visceral hip-hop beats.

Message

Social Behavior:

Perhaps a bit overly self-obsessed?

Consumerism:

Nothing obvious.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Does "confection of venom" count?

Violence

Some violent images, wrapped in dense poetry.

Sex

Nothing obvious.

Language

All clear.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

On GUERO, his sixth major-label album, Beck lets himself loose in a playground of musical influences. There are Bossa Nova and Bo Diddley beats, Spanish-language lyrics, synthesized string sections, hip-hop moments, sensitive balladry, and a space-cowboy-folksy sensibility in stories told with a degree of self-reflection that might seem excessive to non-teenagers. With lyrics that are visceral yet obscure, the songs could be deep, or they might be vapid -- it's just hard to tell, and perhaps beside the point. Occasional violent imagery is defused by its obscure poetic context, and phrases like "loaded rifle" or "confection of venom" don't seem to be the point either.

Is it any good?

4
This CD delivers an imaginative and interesting collection of diverse styles and oddly powerful, if sometimes inaccessible, poetry. All of this is wrapped inside richly textured arrangements and perfectionist instrumental performances, sung with Beck's familiar expressive, adenoidal vocal stylings. Overall, it's a strong offering from an interesting artist who can't help but be his own weird and wonderful self.
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4


Posted on 06/27/06 by smokeydiablo Kid contributor, age 15
4


Posted on 04/08/06 by hithere Kid contributor, age 12

For when you want weirdo lyrics to awesome music

This is a fun CD! I still can't say Beck is my favorite artist but you can rarely say that when you only listen to one of an artist's albums. My favorite track is "E-Pro" (whoever you are, I guarantee you will love it) and "Girl" comes in a close second. I just gotta say though that CSM made a mistake when they said the the language is "all clear". There is a song called "Hell Yes" that repeats that line a lot and uses the d word once. It didn't bother me (that song is kinda catchy after you listen to it a few times) but it could bother some other people, so I'm just pointing that out. Oh well, that doesn't relate to the CD. Try out Guero and you'll probably like it too! NA NA NA NA NA NA NAAA....
5


Posted on 06/15/05 by miles_for_prez Kid contributor, age 14

Third Best Of Beck's Albums

This is a very awesome album. Catchy single, creative lyrics and well produced. This is the thrid best Beck album to Odelay (first) and Mellow Gold (second). Please, do your self a favor and buy this album.
4


Posted on 05/03/05 by NetGhost Kid contributor, age 12

One of Beck's less imaginative albums, but still top-notch

Guero, which is Spanish slang for "white boy", feels more like a compilation of all Beck Hansen's different albums, a "Greatest Hits" per se. It's still a good album, and there is a lot of innovation. The headline to this review might be a little misleading, because see, all of Beck's albums are VERY imaginative with loads of musical styles thrown in there. The only reason this album isn't as imaginative, is because of the "Greatest Hits" feeling. As for the content, I wouldn't say that the violence is really a problem. There are a lot of things that are pretty subtle, such as in the song "Girl" he wants to take the girl, "where her soul belongs". And one major thing that is not mentioned in the review is the song "Rental Car" which is presumably talking about a prostitute. From "Rental Car": "She's taking me far, as far as a rental car can go" and "Hey now girl, at the end of the road, down where the reaper is walking alone, singing a death knell, clapping along, at the end of the night, that's the road we'll be on". Though these lyrics are substantial in what they underlying message is, these won't usually be picked up by a younger audience, and even if it is, the way the song is sung it's not in a way that glorifies the subject. What I say: get the album.

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4


Posted on 06/27/06 by smokeydiablo Kid contributor, age 15
4


Posted on 04/08/06 by hithere Kid contributor, age 12

For when you want weirdo lyrics to awesome music

This is a fun CD! I still can't say Beck is my favorite artist but you can rarely say that when you only listen to one of an artist's albums. My favorite track is "E-Pro" (whoever you are, I guarantee you will love it) and "Girl" comes in a close second. I just gotta say though that CSM made a mistake when they said the the language is "all clear". There is a song called "Hell Yes" that repeats that line a lot and uses the d word once. It didn't bother me (that song is kinda catchy after you listen to it a few times) but it could bother some other people, so I'm just pointing that out. Oh well, that doesn't relate to the CD. Try out Guero and you'll probably like it too! NA NA NA NA NA NA NAAA....
5


Posted on 06/15/05 by miles_for_prez Kid contributor, age 14

Third Best Of Beck's Albums

This is a very awesome album. Catchy single, creative lyrics and well produced. This is the thrid best Beck album to Odelay (first) and Mellow Gold (second). Please, do your self a favor and buy this album.
4


Posted on 05/03/05 by NetGhost Kid contributor, age 12

One of Beck's less imaginative albums, but still top-notch

Guero, which is Spanish slang for "white boy", feels more like a compilation of all Beck Hansen's different albums, a "Greatest Hits" per se. It's still a good album, and there is a lot of innovation. The headline to this review might be a little misleading, because see, all of Beck's albums are VERY imaginative with loads of musical styles thrown in there. The only reason this album isn't as imaginative, is because of the "Greatest Hits" feeling. As for the content, I wouldn't say that the violence is really a problem. There are a lot of things that are pretty subtle, such as in the song "Girl" he wants to take the girl, "where her soul belongs". And one major thing that is not mentioned in the review is the song "Rental Car" which is presumably talking about a prostitute. From "Rental Car": "She's taking me far, as far as a rental car can go" and "Hey now girl, at the end of the road, down where the reaper is walking alone, singing a death knell, clapping along, at the end of the night, that's the road we'll be on". Though these lyrics are substantial in what they underlying message is, these won't usually be picked up by a younger audience, and even if it is, the way the song is sung it's not in a way that glorifies the subject. What I say: get the album.

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69 votes