Review Summary: Like it or not, here's a track by track review of Beck's 2005 album "Guero". It's one of my favorites, and I think it'll be one of yours all well.
This was arguably the album that got me into music. It was roughly a year ago (maybe two) when I first listened to this album in it’s totality, and I was hooked from the very beginning. It was the first piece of Beck’s work I had ever experienced, and remains my favorite to this day. Incorporating everything from techno to twang, it’s certainly worth a thorough listen, for though complex, and at times even exhausting, it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.
The album opens with the killer track “E-Pro” which was actually the second song from the album I ever heard. You’ve likely heard it as well, and would recognize it by it’s classic, metallic, and excruciatingly repetitive guitar riff. This song is lot’s of fun, and really ***ing catchy, but otherwise nothing special. It follows a standard pop song structure, with several verses, a meaningless chorus, and a bridge that’s bland and blatant. Minus the fact that it’s fairly ordinary, it has fantastic guitar. A fair 3/5.
Next up, we have “Que’ Onda Guero”, the track from which the album acquired it’s title. It’s Spanish slang and translates to “What’s up, white boy?” in English. Beck wrote the song as a colorful description of his days growing up in a Spanish neighborhood. It includes game boy sound effects, a hip-hop structure, all backed up random yelling in Spanish. What more could you want? I’d give it a 4/5.
Then you get “Girl”. This song has caused some light controversy, and with good reason. It’s lyrics could be interpreted one of two ways: a love song chalk full of lust and adoration, or a stalker’s homicidal anthem. With lyrics like “And I know I’m gonna steal her eye/She doesn’t even know what’s wrong/I know I’m gonna make her die/Take her where her soul belongs”, it’s not hard to see why. Also, the chorus, simply the repetition of a phrase that has been heard as many things, including “My southern girl”, “My sun-eyed girl”, “My cyanide girl”, and is typed on Beck’s website as literally “My … girl” has also been reason for controversy. Casting all this aside, it’s a great, summery tune that can be danced to as easily as any pop song on the radio. It gets a 3.5/5.
Once you’ve gotten over “Girl”, arguably the most complex track lyrically, you have “Missing”, a slower song which suggests that this is where the album will begin tone down. It’s really a bit of fake out, seeing as the album doesn’t truly slow down until several tracks later. It’s music is fairly simple, and a limited selection of instruments stand out. The lyrics speak to a simple message of finding your way in life. In one word, mellow. 2.5/5.
“Black Tambourine” is easily my favorite, and likely the most popular song on the album given it’s substantial radio play and commercial success. It was the first song from the album I ever heard, and is therefore a classic to me. It includes a fantastic guitar line, strong, sensual lyrics, and of course, killer tambourine. It gets an easy 5/5 for it’s complexity both musically and lyrically, and it sentiment to me.
“Earthquake Weather” stumbles in suddenly, like a drunk rapper, before taking a more simple, tropical turn. Fun, repetitive, nothing special. It’s fun nature, interpretable lyrics, and heavy musical layering makes it a 3/5.
After that, you’ve got “Hell Yes”, easily the most profane song on the album (which isn’t saying much, this is a very clean album) if only for it’s repeated use of the word “hell” and singular use of “damn”. Besides that, you’ve got electronic influences, complex rap, and repeated sampling of Christina Ricci saying “Please Enjoy”. So, do so! 4.5/5.
Now that you’ve popped it, locked it, and dropped it, the album really starts to slow down. “Broken Drum” offers sorrowful lyrics about lost love, and a no-tempo, almost monotonous tune. While the lyrics will really hit a soft spot, negative miles per hour music with slight country influences will do little more than bore you. 2.5/5.
There are far more heavy country influences yet to come with “Scarecrow”. And where are scarecrows? Cornfields. You’re going to think Beck wrote this in a cornfield when you hear it. Paced at a jog, VERY twangy, and lyrically complex, it’s not exactly my cup of tea, but it’s a fun tune none the less. Why not give it a 3/5?
Beck slows down again with “Go It Alone”, but not too much. This track includes a beautifully muffled guitar, a fun, steady line of percussion to clap your hands to, and an alternation between complex lyrics and vocables. This one might just get stuck in your head. 2.5/5?
“Farewell Ride” is even slower, and offer more twang (lot’s of it) as well as wind and a backing chorus. The repeated phrase “two eyed horses in a line” seems strange at first, but is easily interpreted eventually. Let’s just say we know Beck won’t be taking his farewell ride anytime soon. Lyrically, this song would have been far more appropriate as the final track. I’ll give It a 2/5 for it’s misplacement, slow tempo, and overused country influence.
“Rental Car” will have you singing a bridge of “Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala Alone and Zoning” (whether those are really the words or not) every time you pass an airport. This is definitely my favorite song on the album. It’s fast paced, fun, and complex instrumentally. It is, in a word, weird. And I like it that way. 5/5 easy.
Like all good things, “Guero” (and it’s review) must come to an end. It does so with “Emergency Exit”, but exiting this thrill ride is hardly in case of emergency. The final track is, as final tracks often are, longer than the predecessors. It’s tempo is fairly slow, and while the music may be slightly intimidating, the lyrics cover topics such as kindness and children. As innocent as it gets. A rating of 3.5/5 and a more than fair track to close the album. Overall, the album gets a 4.5/5. Superb. An instant classic, and an instant favorite, guaranteed. If you don’t believe me, go listen for yourself. Whether you like it or not, one thing is for certain. Beck’s black tambourine will never stop shaking!
