| Review by JW April 30, 2003 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
If you like David Sylvian you stand a good chance of liking this one - a lot! Not that Beck is not an original artist in his own right. The album definitely has its own signature. But just take one listen to "Round The Bend" and the comparison with Sylvian is unmistakable. Beck has put together a great album full of acoustic rock songs, all sporting impressive soundscapes. There is a lot of music here and the recording quality is outstanding, allowing you to hear deep into the soundstage. Michael Fremer (musicangle.com) compared him to Nick Drake. To form your opinion you should read his review of the album as well.
This is acoustic guitar (country)rock music, enhanced by massive string arrangements and many moments where Beck is able to evoke images drenched in mystery. It's an interesting combination with many surprising twists and turns.
It took me a while to order this SACD. I had never heard of Beck and somehow 'forgot' about the existence of this album. I can tell you that this has turned into one of my better SACD's in all respects - very nice late night listening music as well..
If you want to know more background check out Becks discography here: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=7:09:49|AM&sql=B2zvyxdjbjoly.
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| Review by ddarch88 April 23, 2003 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| This is an amazing sacd in Multi-channel format. I would venture to say it is the first I have heard which truly takes advantage of the format. (A close second is DSOTM) I love the overall feel of an early seventies English folk album coupled with all of the mixing/sampling/electronica. More than any other SACD, this one creates a different sonic atmosphere with each song. My favorite cuts are "The Golden Age", "Lost Cause", and "Guess I am doing Fine." The truly sonic standout for me though is "It's all in your mind" in which the last forty-five seconds is stunning in MCH. The only complaint I have is the "sameiness" of some of the material...almost everything is slow to mid-tempo. Nothing rocks out. Also, if you don't know Beck, his lyrics are often very dark, so don't listen if you're already on anti-depressants:-) In my opinion, everyone who owns a MCH setup should own this sacd.
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| Review by unclefesto April 27, 2003 (3 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| One of the best pieces of music I have heard in years. Nuff Said!
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| Review by Rinkrat May 18, 2003 (7 of 7 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
I just got an SACD player and have been picking up a few discs including this one, I've had a few hits and more misses. I like the Stones remasters and of coutse Pink Floyd DSOTM, but I have to admit, THIS is my favorite disc so far. On first listening I could hardly believe it was Beck. There is no rap or even commercial tunes. it is one of the most laid back crosses between folk and country that you'll ever hear. What makes it so great is the multi-channel production. The strings are lavish and the synth noises add a quirkiness that brings it all together. The songs are well written and they worm their way into your skull by about the third listening.
I've found some great remasters of old CD's on SACD and I've found some new music that I can tolerate only because it's an SACD, but this is the first SACD that I've found that is impressive new music AND has incredible sound. In fact it's the perfect one to show off what it's all about.
Discs like this one are the reason why I bought the player. I hope there are more out there.
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| Review by Tom May 27, 2003 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| A pleasant surprise for both sonics and presentation. It's now one of my top 10 favorates.
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| Review by projectmayhem325 July 21, 2003
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Performance: Sonics: |
| I Have seen Beck on his Sea Change tour twice now and I think that hearing this SACD is a close second to being 5 rows away from the man himself, and significantly better than seeing him in a big venue. I had the CD version, and I didn't know what the engineers could do to an album like Sea Change to make it Multi-Channel worth while and interesting, but tey used the discrete channels to their fullest advantage. I am still a bit confused by the difference on song 9: Already Dead. The lyrics are just slightly different at 1:05, no big deal, but noticable to someone who has listened to the album almost 100 times. None the less, a necessity for anyone starting an SACD collection
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| Review by greendiamond September 2, 2003
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Performance: Sonics: |
| Rinkrat got it just right -- this is the only SACD that I have that combines great new music with a five star surround mix. I was not a Beck fan before -- had only listened to some of "Odelay"on a listening station and wondered what all the critics were so excited about. The dearth of good rock music on multichannel sacd led me to give this one a try and I'm very glad I did. Second only to DSOTM as a way to demonstrate your multichannel setup to anyone who is not a committed classical music fanatic.
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| Review by Luffy September 4, 2003 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| Well I got this disc a while ago after reading the reviews here. I have to agree that the disc is sonically impressive, especially the surround mix. I definately recommend this disc as the songs are really nice and calming and the mix is just great. I just wanted to note the disc is rather mellow (the whole thing), so I couldn't give the disc a 5 star rating for the performance because I like a bit more variety with my music so it is more of a personal taste.
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| Review by Metoo September 9, 2004 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| This is what surround mixes should sound like! period.
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| Review by DrOctodivx October 24, 2004 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| This disc is crystal clear and uses all 5.1 speakers fully but tastefully. The music itself is quite good, and I expect to be listening to this album with some frequency. I recommend this disck in general to most listeners with broad tastes, though it is not for everyone, especially if you prefer more upbeat music.
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| Review by sthebkrman February 26, 2005 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| Simply Amazing! This is one of those CDs you listen to 100 times and never hear the same thing twice. There is so much going on with the synthesizers and bells. It is so spacious. I like Beck's rockier stuff but this just shows what a genius he is. He makes this mellow music so interesting you cannot stop listening to it. It will really show off your system, especially the bells and the bass notes that drop to a bottomless pit.
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| Review by Rob March 4, 2005 (1 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| Some of the best sonics I have heard in multi channel. Very mellow music. Perfect for a rainy afternoon. I have listened to it at least 30 times and never have tired of it. Even if you don't think you like Beck you should check this out. It is like a mellow version of Mutations
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| Review by mindovermatter March 10, 2005 (0 of 7 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| The best depression you can buy on surround. It's a great album and sounds great too.
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| Review by dbfarr63 May 15, 2005 (2 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
| I heard a friends copy of the cd and thought it was okay. This was way before sacd came on the market. The same friend gave me a copy of the sacd and I was hooked. This really is a great multichannel disc. The sound is perfect and the music is brilliant. I can see the comparisons being made with Nick Drake as I have recently become a fan of his music. I hadn't heard of Beck before this, but I will be looking out for more of his work. One of the best I've got.
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| Review by FivePointOne May 17, 2005 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
| I'd give the MCH sonics 6 stars if I could. This is one of the discs you can use to show off your 5.1 setup. Light years better than the conventional redbook, the sound engineering is quite tasty and always surprising. Put this on, and you'll feel enveloped by the music. It's that good. It's not your average Beck CD...very mellow, supposedly after a breakup. Still, it's got plenty of melodic hooks around which the 5.1 effects float.
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| Review by captain May 30, 2005 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
| One of my favourite SACDs. This album may take a few listens to get into but well worth it when you do. Phenomenal songs, arrangements, vocals and sound. A huge improvement over the conventional CD. Highest possible recommendation. I have not heard the multichannel mix
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| Review by Beck June 18, 2005 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
I simply had to add my two cents worth: I had never heard of this album but enjoy several others by Beck (hence my Moniker). I bought this for the sonics after reading reviews, expecting it to be a good disc to go shopping for speakers with...well was I surprised!. This has become a favourite in a hurry. I liked it so much I also bought the DVD-Audio version just to compare the two formats. Differences are subtle, but I thoroughly enjoyed both (and the videos on the DVD edition)
This album is an artist masterpiece: honest, heartfelt, beautifully produced and masterfully written. I was so used to thinking of Beck as an electronic artist and after this album, I simply think of him as a brilliant artists...period.
What else can I say? Every one I've played this album to, who's had a few minutes to seriously listen to it has enjoyed it. This came from being far off my radar to a top 10 disc after a few listens.
Highly recommended for content and the sonics are unsurpassed for a recording in this genre.
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| Review by colewade January 12, 2006 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
I have enjoyed this extraordinary album on CD format since it was released thee years ago. Even in that format the album sounded very good. Beck must have sunk to the lowest depths to commune with some sort of higher power making this one. It is that good, and that listenable even three years later. Since many tracks from the album rank high on my play list even now, this was an excellent album to truly compare formats. The multi-channel SACD version wins hands down in this case. The format itself lends itself nicely to Beck’s unique artistry. It greatly improves a recording I was already quite happy with.
Since the record companies don’t seem to be providing new non-classical releases in SACD, I would love to see independent alt - rock bands push demand for this technology through the roof through their own efforts. I suppose money is the problem. Despite the “fussy” nature and complexity of this new technology, Beck’s, Sea Change and Roxy Music’s, Avalon presents undeniable proof for me that SACD format itself was worthy the investment for any kind of music. Awesome and original tunes, perfect delivery, and astounding acoustics are the three best reasons to buy any commercially recorded music and it certainly true for this one. Buy it!
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| Review by CaryGrant March 15, 2006 (2 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
| For me, this is one of those SACDs I bought and listen to because of the sound quality, not because the music really grabs me. If there was more rock/pop SACD selection, I wouldn't have purchased this album. The sound is truly impressive, and certainly worth a few listens to see if you like the style, which is very mellow and even down at times.
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| Review by The Rang August 25, 2007 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
This recording seems to be a love it or hate it proposition.
Sadly I must put myself in the latter category.
The sonics are fine, but I don't find them as outstanding as others do.
And the music is dreadfully dreary IMHO, the tempo varies little from track to track.
Maybe I'm missing something, and as a Beck fan I will give this disc another chance, but my frst impression (which usually sticks) is not good.
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