Its time again to review the nominees for "Album of the Year" (well, technically this is just the 2nd year I've done this), but anyways. The review process will be much like last year. Each track will be reviewed, followed by either a ✔(great track), an O (just okay/average), or an X(throwaway/poor). Following the review, I'll have the percentages for each rating. The raw score will come with multiplying the ✔ percentage by 2, adding the O percentage, and then subtracting the X percentage. Got it? Okay. Here we go.
Beck - "Morning Phase"
(All video rights to Beck and Capitol Records)
1) Cycle
It starts off with a nice string opening. Very calming feel that builds upon itself. Its a good intro to "Morning Phase". (✔)
2) Morning
Begins with a guitar intro, slow and methodical. It features an interesting echo vocal effect that builds. Its a tranquil continuation of 'Cycle'. This track is really elevated with an intro like 'Cycle'. It sets and builds that kind of calming feel. (✔).
3) Heart is a Drum
It builds off of prior themes. There's some interference between the guitar rift and the vocals. It doesn't work as well as it did in 'Morning'. It does feature some nice lyrics though; "Your heart is a drum/ keeping in time with everyone". While the intro may be distracting, it does build and improve with real meaningful lyrics. Has a rather eerie ending , possibly foreshadowing future tracks. (O)
4) Say Goodbye
It starts off with a more traditional intro, with little to no effects. 'Say Goodbye' has a nice banjo/folk instrumental backing. The instrumentals play off each other. The track is simplistic (but in a good way). This allows the lyrics to play out; "See the street that rests upon/ The quiet street we're standing on/ It is time to go away". (✔)
5) Blue Moon
It has a bit of a "world/soundscape" intro. A very lyrical song (but with repetitive instrumentals). Its maybe a little bit too simplistic. It does feature very powerful lyrics though; "Don't leave me on my own/ So cut me down to size so I can fit inside/ Lies that will divide us both in time". (O)
6) Unforgiven
Has a bit of an EDM/Daft Punk kind of feel for the intro. The instrumentals feel crowded. It does feature solid lyrics; "Somewhere unforgiven/ Time will wait for you/ Somewhere unforgiven/ I will wait for you". Overall, it just feels too muddled, like its trying to do too much. (X)
7) Wave
It has a nice string intro (a movie soundtrack feel). This track really finds a way to capture emotions (the strings combined with Beck's vocals). (✔)
8) Don't Let it Go
Takes the album back to a folk kind of feel with the intro. It kind of has a James Taylor - vibe. 'Don't Let it Go' doesn't try and do too much. It has a perfect blend. (✔)
9) Blackbird Chain
It has a very sublime/Nashville feeling (a switch from the intro). Almost has a bit of a Jimmy Buffett vibe. The track doesn't quite seem to mesh with the rest of the album, but its a good song nonetheless. (O)
It starts off with a nice string opening. Very calming feel that builds upon itself. Its a good intro to "Morning Phase". (✔)
2) Morning
Begins with a guitar intro, slow and methodical. It features an interesting echo vocal effect that builds. Its a tranquil continuation of 'Cycle'. This track is really elevated with an intro like 'Cycle'. It sets and builds that kind of calming feel. (✔).
3) Heart is a Drum
It builds off of prior themes. There's some interference between the guitar rift and the vocals. It doesn't work as well as it did in 'Morning'. It does feature some nice lyrics though; "Your heart is a drum/ keeping in time with everyone". While the intro may be distracting, it does build and improve with real meaningful lyrics. Has a rather eerie ending , possibly foreshadowing future tracks. (O)
4) Say Goodbye
It starts off with a more traditional intro, with little to no effects. 'Say Goodbye' has a nice banjo/folk instrumental backing. The instrumentals play off each other. The track is simplistic (but in a good way). This allows the lyrics to play out; "See the street that rests upon/ The quiet street we're standing on/ It is time to go away". (✔)
5) Blue Moon
It has a bit of a "world/soundscape" intro. A very lyrical song (but with repetitive instrumentals). Its maybe a little bit too simplistic. It does feature very powerful lyrics though; "Don't leave me on my own/ So cut me down to size so I can fit inside/ Lies that will divide us both in time". (O)
6) Unforgiven
Has a bit of an EDM/Daft Punk kind of feel for the intro. The instrumentals feel crowded. It does feature solid lyrics; "Somewhere unforgiven/ Time will wait for you/ Somewhere unforgiven/ I will wait for you". Overall, it just feels too muddled, like its trying to do too much. (X)
7) Wave
It has a nice string intro (a movie soundtrack feel). This track really finds a way to capture emotions (the strings combined with Beck's vocals). (✔)
8) Don't Let it Go
Takes the album back to a folk kind of feel with the intro. It kind of has a James Taylor - vibe. 'Don't Let it Go' doesn't try and do too much. It has a perfect blend. (✔)
9) Blackbird Chain
It has a very sublime/Nashville feeling (a switch from the intro). Almost has a bit of a Jimmy Buffett vibe. The track doesn't quite seem to mesh with the rest of the album, but its a good song nonetheless. (O)
10) Phase
Very similar to 'Cycle', setting up the back-half of the album. Its very hopeful sounding. Its not as profound a track being in the middle of "Morning Phase". (O)
11) Turn Away
A simple two-note guitar strum starts off the track, accompanying the vocals and letting them stand out. The lyrics are powerful; "Turn turn away/ From the sound of your own voice/ Calling no one, just a silence". Truly lyrical vocals. (✔).
12) Country Down
Has a bit of a similar feel to 'Blackbird Chain'. Lyrics include; "What's the use of being found/ You can lose yourself/ In the weeds hiding down river right next door". A harmonica is featured towards the middle of the track. Overall, its kind of slow and trudges along. (O)
13) Waking Light
This is a perfect closing track that wraps up nicely. It has a nice electric/synth guitar feature. This track also features some of the strongest lyrics; "When the memory leaves you/ Somewhere you can't make it home/ When the morning comes to meet you/ Lay me down in waking light".
Beck is certainly an acquired taste, but "Morning Phase" has a nice melancholy yet hopeful feel to it. Beck's vocals really mesh with the tranquility of the album.
✔ = 54%
O = 38%
X = 8%
Beck - Morning Phase: 138
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