A bounce-back from The Information. Beck sounds like he's maturing and becoming a little reflective. I like where he's headed.

I like Danger Mouse, I like Beck. I like Modern Guilt.

A short, straightforward album. It's an okay album but I don't think I listened to it very many times. It doesn't have much to keep you coming back. I wonder when we'll get another album from him.

Another solid record from the man, c'mon lil gamma ray.

If this is bad work by Beck... That not too shabby. Beck is amazing.

Minor Beck? Still quite irresistible from start to finish.

Some have grumbled that "Modern Guilt" is minor Beck. Sure it doesn't twist your mind into as many shapes as its predecessor ("The Information"), provide the perfect soundtrack for cruising through Los Angeles ("Guero") or open your ears to the enormous sonic possibilities of sadness ("Sea Change"). Yet "Modern Guilt" is a step forward with its stripped down more rock heavy sound and fairly plain album jacket. Lyrically it constitutes some of his richest, most honest writing yet. Personally I wish the production was less murky (why not a little more shine?), but it's a small complaint. Each song is impressive, but none on the album can top the ethereal "Chemtrails". I've haven't heard anything this year as musically stimulating or as darkly haunted.