Released following his break up, this is a relatively stripped back and sombre set of numbers, with Beck really pared down for the majority of the record. It is a style that suits him, as it leaves nothing but his songwriting talent to engage the listener. The songs were apparently written in the week after his relationship ended, and it was a couple of years before Beck felt that he could release them, and there is certainly a very raw, emotional side to the lyrics. This is immediately obvious on Guess I'm Doing Fine, and the majestic Lonesome Tears, which is jaw-droppingly powerful, yet stunning delicate.
I thought that the album was very good, and the music extremely powerful. However, I think that it is an album that gains a lot from the listener being in the right emotional place when listening to it; that emotional place being pretty down and heartbroken. I am very fortunate to say that I'm not in that place, and I hope not to be for a long time to come. For that reason, I don't think I enjoyed the album as much as I otherwise could have. It is a work of art that I admire, rather than being fully moved by. I found myself interspersing listening to this album with other music more than I normally do, which reflects on the draining nature of this album.
It would be wrong of me to avoid pointing out that Chloe absolutely loved this album, in particular thinking that the first six tracks were beautiful.
Chloe's rating: 9
Chloe's favourite track: 2. Paper Tiger
Olly's rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 4. Lonesome Tears
Next week we have selected 688. Arise by Sepultura. Beautiful, powerful and emotionally raw. Well, maybe two out of three...
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