Odelay

A good chunk of the songs here have been lurking around my playlists for a long time! "Devil's Haircut" "The New Pollution" "Where It's At" and "Minus" are my faves on here, but "Jack-Ass" and "Ramshackle" might also be getting added to the mix!

I listened to this album driving around aimlessly on my lunch break, having made my way through a good chunk of my checklist for the day. The only Beck songs I knew by name going into this album were Loser and Debra; despite this, and for reasons I don't fully understand, I was somehow expecting Beck to sound more sophisticated or classical, as if those two songs were outliers wihtin his catalog. Again, I have no idea where this perception of Beck came from, because it was woefully misinformed. Rather than any kind of classic rock, this album is essentially the blueprint for modern day solo indie rock artists; some of these tracks wouldn't sound out of place from an artist like Joe P. Odelay is a folk-tinged indie rock album full of heavy distortions and occasional screams to keep things edgy and punk, containing personal and confessional lyrics delivered in a vocal style that prioritizes emotional conveyance over classical skill; Beck's voice is so enchanting to listen to, it feels like I'm being hypnotized. The production quality is fuzzy and rough-around-the-edges, contributing to that indie aesthetic. There are also eccentric little touches here and there, like the random horn sections which show up sometimes or the early Beastie Boys-style hip-hop sensibilities which intertwine with the rest of the instrumental influences to give this album even more character and personality, immediately taking its place as one of my favorite albums of the project so far. I am now incredibly excited to hear from Beck down the road. Highlights: Devils Haircut, Hotwax, Lord Only Knows, The New Pollution, Derelict, Jack-Ass, Where It's At, Sissyneck, Readymade, Ramshackle, Computer Rock

There are some absolute bangers here but its the slow down beat songs that really shine on this album.

Just a fantastically laid back record. Hits all the right spots for me, even thought I know it's a bit flawed din places.

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I was torn between giving this album a 4 or a 5. Compared with my favourite albums, which I consider to be perfect masterpieces, it would be a low 4. However, Odelay is the 14th album in my 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die journey, and it was certainly the first album that was engaging and enjoyable from beginning to end. Its eccentric twists and unpredictability make it a great soundtrack for people with ADHD like me. After enduring The Cramps and Talking Heads, I'll do the honours of awarding Beck with my first five-star rating.

What was this guy smoking? But it works, a blend of genres that leaves you questioning!

My parents had this album when I was a kid and I always wanted them to put it on because there was a dog on the cover. Same with Trouble at the Henhouse by Tragically Hip. And I remember loving it. Almost every single song is a save.

Really liked this one.

Beck is a friend of a friend so I've always been rooting for him in the sense that he was "one of us". The 3 times I've seen him live were spectacular. I wish I had understood this record more when it came out. It's really almost the end of postmodernism as the irony is starting to shift into authenticity. But is still very postmodern, and in fact really a perfect example of the form. He's a brilliant lyricist, one of my favorites. His detour back into Scientology in the 2000s was disturbing but I think he's left the fold once again thankfully. So many songs I love and my journey with him mostly started with this album, which still sounds like the future. Great to listen, it's been a while.

Okay, first time I gave this 2 stars, but I get it now. Listened to it on the road and felt it.

Deserves 5 stars just for Where It's At. It was so cool at the time and just weird enough.

Beck is a master of getting a bunch of different genres in a blender, putting it on "High", pouring the mix out, and then sprinkling goofy, expressive lyrics over it. And this album is his style turned to 11. Having said that, the criticism of people saying "is he just messing with us" is perfectly valid.

I haven't listened to this album in quite a while. It'll be fun to revisit it. Yeah, I probably don't listen to this album enough.

Haven't heard this albumin a long time. Reminds me of the 90s living in Austin. Good times!

As a hungarian a huge plus for the artwork: KOMONDOR

Please see Teen Dream review

Most bands pick one lane to excel in, Beck wants to be good at them all, and frequently is

His best work

Classic

Raro amigo, pero bueno, nunca pensé escuchar hiphop country

Gw banget jir

Álbum excelente! Todos os elementos musicais que Beck experimenta nesse disco soam fantásticos. Obra Prima. Roseselsa Quietsea II.

It’s easy to forget how fresh Beck’s music started, as he has firmly transitioned into being an established artist. Odelay however is the sound of a young Beck tilting at windmills. A lot of credit here has goes go to the production of the Dust Brothers for their production, as well as Beck, matching his songs with more hip hop style beats at times that give the album its distinctive sound. The singles are great, but so’s the album!

Despite loving Where It's At, Devils Haircut and The New Pollution at the time of release, I'd never listened to all of Odelay. It's such a weird mix of alt-rock, bluegrass licks, and hip-hop sampling - just endlessly funky with Beck's sort of disinterested, talky-singy thing pulling everything together. I particularly loved Hotwax, Lord Only Knows, Minus and Sissyneck. Derelict comes across a bit Bjork to me - it reminded me of Army of Me in places. Novacane and High Five (Rock the Catskills) were both a bit Beastie Boys. Readymade felt a bit Eels thanks to the vocal delivery. All the way through I was thinking this was a 4 or 5, but probably a 4, but then I realised I had no real reason not to give it a 5. I basically like every track (most of them I really loved), I wanted to listen to it again as soon as it finished, I intend to come back to it again. So I talked myself into it. 5/5

Innovative. He is incredibly creative. Each song was a different musical experience with surprises around every corner.

Loved this more and more on each listen. Another blind spot for me but great and weird and addictive. Also Geese’s music now makes more sense listening to this.

Marvellous!

A crate digging masterpiece. Beck may have never been better, but the Dust Brother’s production should be hung in the Louvre.

Finally an album that deserves to be on this list. Beck is a generational talent.

Sounds like his previous work, but more experimental. It has more electric guitars and synthesizer and turntables. Really good album. It deserves more credit than it gets for it's influence on modern artists.

Amazing album

Very insane album I had fun with, will be listening again and to more Beck

Yeah still good

Every song on this offers a different experience, concept or vibe, and it all works to some degree. An album as eclectic and weird as this can never get boring.

Who are you? I’m the enchanting wizard of rhythm. Why have you come here? I’ve come here to tell you about the rhythms of the universe. This album makes me very happy. Super funny, completely playful and unhinged. And it’s filled with great songs.

Ah, 1996. "Loser" was still all over the radio and Odelay was Beck's follow-up album. Suddenly "Where It's At" is all over the radio. I don't think I listened to this record in full until a few years later, but I've certainly done so now and then. It's a big mish-mash of a tons of different styles of music. Everything from 70s rock to hip-hop is in there, and it's all really good. A real masterpiece of an album.

I did not know much about Beck before checking out this album. I thought of him as strangely popular, in some left field way, but I didn't know what he was about or how to "get it". I knew the opener of this album (Devil's Haircut) because it was on a triple j hottest 100 CD. I read some of the reviews here, and that gave me hints. The album took me a couple of listens to get into (headphones good), now I'm liking a lot of the tracks, a lot. I dug around a bit more (wondering which riffs were originals that became famous, and which might be samples dropped in from where). If you (dear reader) would like to hear (read) Beck interviewed about his music back in 2005, may I recommend this: https://www.thebeliever.net/an-interview-with-beck/. The album? I think I'll rate it as Quite Wonderful, 9/10. (Rating might go up with more listens :-)

Great Monday morning album

Another great alternative album my ex introduced to me.

I really like the sound of Beck. Its like im on drugs but not. Probably a good album to get stoned too. Favorite: devils haircut Least: computer rock

This record was definitely a fundamental one when I was refining my music taste. It was time to move on from grunge and this was one of the greats from 1996 to push me in a different direction.

Wait this is fire. I never listened to much of Beck but I had heard the name. A lot of great songs, some of which remind me of Pavement. In general, great stuff.

Slightly biased because I remember this, but even with nostalgia glasses I think this is a really good capture of the 90s alternative music at the time. 5*

Odelay captures the zeitgeist of the mid 90s. It's aloof, nostalgic, mildly irreverent, and still sounds cool thirty years later.

Phil

A record that blends styles with ease and energy, shifting from funk to folk while staying coherent. It’s fresh, rhythmic, and playful, which makes it stand out. Still vibrant decades later, it fully earns that 5/5

When Beck released his first album, I hated it. But then I get hit by Two Turn Tables & A Microphone and I've never looked back. This album is one of my favourites.

I don't necessarily love Devil's Haircut or Hotwax, but they are so exciting. The way Beck blends genres on Odelay is groundbreaking, and still sounds pretty unique - its like slacker rock plunderphonics. High 5 sounds like a Beastie Boys song. I don't really think there's a miss on the album, save except maybe those last 43 seconds. But even that repeating electronic bar is so unequivocal that it presents intriguing questions - is there a follow up electronic album coming? (A: no, not immediately at least). Fave Tracks: Devil's Haircut, Hotwax, The New Pollution, Jack-Ass, Where It's At 4.5/5

Fuggin classic.

Fantastic album, banger after banger. Never gets old for me.

A unique artist from the 90s, when alternative rock was mainstream. That’s my generation right there.

Perfect for a Punk Kitchen

A fun Beck album. I don’t know if it’s my favorite or second but it’s a great one and a great listen. No one else like him.

9.0/10 One of my favourite albums…so weird and awesome

Love it!

Totally bullshit lyrics ✅ Every song destructed in the end ✅ If needed also with donkey noise ✅ Weird mix of styles ✅ All songs bangers and still enjoyable after 100 listens ✅ I so love this album. On my all time top 10

landmark, watershed album. foundational work for alt/indie/outsider music to follow. yes i was obsessed with this album in high school how could you tell.

Really captivating album.

Honestly it’s a fairly complete document of American pop music from that era, with undeniable hits. It succeeds at aping and manipulating multiple decades worth of genres.

Que gran disco. Soy super fan de Back pero nunca había escuchado Odelay completo. Me gustó mucho, tiene cosas bien interesantes, es un disco arriesgado, innovador y sumamente artístico y autentico. No le da miedo experimentar con sonidos y técnicas poco convencionales, además la mezcla de varios estilos y géneros hacen toda la diferencia. Sin duda uno de los mejores discos hasta ahora en mi lista. Gran disco.

Light 5 but very fun listen, maybe a bit ahead of it's time.

I was STOKED to see this album on this list. I’m far from being Beck’s biggest fan, in fact I think if I tried to convince myself that I was a massive fan of someone who in reality is a dumb scientologist koolaid drinker I’d just burst into flames or start violently vomiting blood. But joking aside, yah I’m not really a fan of Beck as person. But that being said this album is his part of his redemption to the rest of humanity, cause it is truly an absolute masterpiece. There are no skips, its completely original, it has pop culture impact on a massive level, the cover art is super iconic and instantly recognizable. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is easily one of my favorite albums of all time. It's also an album I'd take with me to a deserted island (that hopefull still has enough power to play this album on repeat until I inevitably starve to death). There is so much variety I don't know how you could ever get bored with this album. This album just has to much to offer. Again the only fault this album has is that in being a fan of this album and having bought the album in physical form means I've given money to Beck which he has, one way or another, given directly to a massively dangerous and evil cult that has ruined and ended the lives of many. Not to mention the organization (not a religion) has covered up the fact that the leader, David Miscavige, has gotten away with murdering his wife and only God knows how many others in his prison camps. Seriously, I've never taken the time to advertise for something before but you should go watch the Leah Remini FX show about the cult. It will hopefully make you feel better about enjoying this album, and if you hate the album, then it'll give you even more conviction in your well deserved anger. (Also just for the record, I know that Beck has actually publicly disavowed the evil supervillan organization, I just like to air out their dirty laundry as much as possible, its what I give back to the community).

Bit of a trippy album, this one. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. Who even is Beck, anyway? I thought “Sea Change” was depressingly lovely when we got it 630 days ago, but it’s clearly far, far different from the guy’s more standard fare if this album is anything to go by. I knew “Loser” was sort of a loose rap track with some acoustic flair behind it, but somehow, my brain never parlayed that into it being his whole shtick, with some wild genrebending in between, including some plunderphonics / sampling throughout that feels reminiscent of the Beastie Boys. It’s a shtick that I like a lot, and one that feels innovative for ‘96, at least in terms of reaching the mainstream. I also find myself struck by how the lyrics come across; a lot of this feels like total nonsense with a tight structure, and the confidence of the delivery & flow somehow makes them feel compelling all the same. There’s a review on the site that compares his style to Anthony Kiedis, and I honestly hear it. The Red Hot Chili Peppers can cover it up with great grooves, and Beck does a lot of the same. Yes, the Peppers are a bit catchier & a bit easier to sing along to (and at least, on this album, I can’t say there’s a catchy chorus like “Loser” has), but something about Beck’s up & down approach clicks really well. “Where It’s At” does the filter trick where Beck is practically screaming into a mic layered at the end of the chorus, and that dichotomy between being really chill & being kinda manic just keeps this whole album on its toes, in a really positive way. That said, I can’t help but wonder if the album could’ve ended at a much safer spot on “Where It’s At” – I like every track here, but it does feel like diminishing returns start to come in immediately afterwards, with “Minus” feeling a bit plain afterward, “Sissyneck” being a little goofy (in a good way), “Readymade” being cool in concept but a little safe in execution, and with “High 5” being a little bit of a proto-Limp Bizkit in a fun but strange way. No complaints about “Ramshackle” though; that’s a great track. The last 5 tracks didn’t wear me down or anything, but they don’t exactly keep the album gliding with the same momentum it had through the first 8 tracks. If that’s enough to bump this album down to a 4 for some people, I think that’s valid. If “Computer Rock” did it though, that’s just petty. Ultimately, I think it’s still a pretty strong 5 for my tastes. I can’t tell you half of what Beck was talking about, but I can tell you how cool the production work is & how charismatic Beck comes across, even in his sort of lackadaisical way. I just think it’s a fun album, and while it could’ve been a SUPER tight 33 minutes (or 38 minutes if you want to add “Ramshackle”), I think there’s no shame in the full 52 minutes here. It’s pretty enjoyable throughout, and I feel like I have a way better sense of who Beck is as an artist compared to “Sea Change”, which was already pretty good. I really hope we get “Guero” soon, just because I’m very intrigued to see what he does with 2005 tech. For this album though, it’s a pretty strong 5.

Je connaissais mais assez peu en réalité… 1ere fois que j’écoute un album entier, c’est le top ! J’ai écouté en courant La voix, la vibe, la diversité de style

Зазвичай я досить консервативна в своїх смаках і не люблю альбоми з багатьма жанрами, але це щось інше. Часто дивно, але чіпляюче дивно. До багатьох композицій хочеться повернутися і дослідити ще

Ah, to be in high school again—Odelay brings back memories, every single one involving being stoned, which I think is the appropriate way to enjoy this album. Odelay came out the year I was born, but it was still an essential piece of listening in my youth. Depending on the social path you carve, certain albums seem like they are destined to be a phase you end up in. We all know the kid who wouldn’t shut up about dark side of the moon or Ok Computer, Madvillainy or Highway 61. Odelay may not have quite the cultural cachet of the other mentioned albums, but I think it fits that same niche as an album that, for a certain kind of person (ie, me) you go through a (hopefully brief) stage where that album chisels a new mark in the burgeoning relief of your personality. Though it’s been likely since college that I’ve listened to Odelay, those little indents are now part of a larger frieze and, unlike other, more fervently pursued marks, I don’t regret the impression Odelay left on me. It’s far from ‘all killer no filler,’ as the kids say, but the filler make this album what it is. It’s an atmosphere that, more than anything, feels like the soundtrack to Beck’s idiosyncratic, scattered, stoney, slacker universe. If that world doesn’t appeal to you, you’re justifiably going to hate this album, even if you can’t deny that some of it is throughly catchy. The lyrics sound like what Anthony Kiedis is always trying and seldom succeeding in—nonsensically vivid, saying absolutely nothing yet creating a coherent aesthetic. Musically, Beck and the Dust Brothers put the nineties into a blender and pull out something that is unique even as it generously borrows from its contemporaries—Beastie Boys style hip hop mixed with a dash of lo-fi electronic, a throwback love for psychedelia-tinged easy melodies, all mixed with a Grunge-esque attitude of signifying an antipathy towards conventional success while ultimately making fairly radio-friendly music. While sounding unmistakably a product of its time, Odelay is still re-listenable and nostalgic. It has every reason to feel trapped in a bubble of dated references and a misremembered zeitgeist, but somehow—perhaps only because of my own fondness—it avoids that. It’s not a classic for everybody, and I don’t think I’d really argue against somebody who hates Odelay. But it’s my first five, which says as much about my advancing age and the proclivities of my slipping youth as anything. I’ll probably be old and senile before ‘two turntables and a microphone’ stops randomly popping into my head and ramshackle will always hold a place in my heart as a remarkably sweet little tune.

5 stars great!

Awesome

Cool a.f.

Awesome! Sometimes Beck strikes me as pretentious which turns me off listening to his music. This album is gold though.

Amazing. Somehow derivative and completely original at the same time. Great crunchy production highlights the slacker vocals. Nonsense sings but really powerful. Jack ass is on my all time top 20. He's a genius

Ok, this one sounds as fresh as it did when it was released. I remember it being so different to everything else I was listening to at the time.

Fun creative album.

Peak Beck

Gran álbum de Amish Hip Hop

Exactly the kind of stuff I love to hear. Just weird rock.

A stacked, all-time great album!

וואוווו

i do not recommend this album for autistic people

Beck is so cool and this album just grooves. Love it! Favorites: Devils Haircut, The New Pollution, Ramshackle Would I listen to it again: Yes

Amazing album. The oddest fusion of white-boy hip-hop, folk, rock, and ramshackle electronic elements—-it shouldn’t work but absolutely does.

Classic

Gah! I loved this and honestly am surprised I haven't listened to this whole album front to back before. Where Its At is a song I can credit with shaping my music tastes from the country of my upbringing to the indie fanatic I am today. Bek is always ahead of his time. While made in 1996 this album could have also been made in 2006, 2016, or even today and it would still be a hit. Ahead of his time, yet also timeless. Amazing.

Goin back to Houston Do the hot dog dance Goin back to Houston To get me some pants. Genius.

I'm very familiar with Beck's discography, so I've heard this album a few times already. Such a fun and interesting listen, with engaging and ever evolving instrumentals and lyrics that are a bit surreal but really paint a picture.

I feel like I’ve k own this for a while now but i definitely didn’t give beck enough credit all the years I’ve been listening.

Album 9/1001. Listened 1/19/2026. Truly an original. Could listen to this all day.

Svakalega töff plata, massívir hittarar og alltumlykjandi klassík spiluð í drasl í mörg ár eftir að platan kom út. Djörf sömpl, góð grúv og sérstaklega sjarmerandi kæruleysislegur flutningur. Að öllu þessu sögðu þá er ég ekkert mjög hrifinn af Novacane og Minus, en þetta er nú samt fimma.

When to listen: feeling like the main character getting ready to leave the house. I loved that this album had a distinct sound / through line but added a new element to each song that fit, e.g. a saxophone or East Asian inspired melodies.

I think Bender put it best when he said “my dream was to be a musician-poet who transcends genres as he reinvents them”. Regarding Beck

this album oozes style its a fusion of so much stuff

Really fucking good

Because I discovered Mellow Gold before this, I might’ve nominated that one just because it broke the mold and introduced the world to Beck and his rummage-sale sonic sensibilities. And yet, I cannot deny the gravitational pull of songs like “The New Pollution,” with its irresistible groove and saxophone refrain, the off-kilter “Derelict” or the sweet lullaby-like “Jack-Ass.” While this album has more polish than MG, it’s still got the requisite helping of ’90s junk, with weird electro breaks, noise, boom-bap beats, Blacksploitation samples and snippets of White People dialog that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on 3 Feet High and Rising and make it such a fun listen. Plus, the lyric “Everybody knows my name at the recreation center” rivals “I quit my job blowing leaves” from its predecessor. A pillar of Gen X Slacker culture.

So many bits, boops and burps to like in this album.

damn ts kinda fire, es super mi estilo, el artista me parece re chimba tambn, es un poco largo igual pero bien, la real me gustó mucho

Fuck. This album is 30 years old this year... Still sounds great.

It's a completely marvelous album from start to finish. The last track, the gloriously lo-fi and morosely melodic 'Ramshackle', describes the approach. It feels like some sort of painting, a collage of sounds that all come together into a magnificent whole. Drum beats, breaks, pedal steel, slide, blues harmonica - elements of breakbeat, blues, folk, country blended into something new. The vinyl fluff crackles and you get the impression of a DJ Shadowesque record collection supporting this. Running through it all is Beck's unique take on life; accessible yet obscure metaphors, lyrical maps; idiosyncratic witticisms. It's a sort of geeky genius. 'Jack-Ass' is one my favourite songs of all time. Beck showing not only can he rap, rock and twang but has a great baritone for the slower tunes. It takes the shimmering guitar of Dylan via Them and transforms it into something superior. He is so genuine and therefore feels so authentic. It doesn't feel like an exploitative rip-off nor a cringefest. Just a unique genius at play. Objectively and inarguably a five.

Idk I really liked it

I've really liked, maybe loved, probably half a dozen Beck albums, including this one. I'm a sucker for Dadaism, I suppose. A cool thing that I got from relistening to this album this time was how much these tracks foreshadow things Beck is eventually going to expound on. There's the sexxy funk happening in Hotwax that he's going to explore at length on Midnite Vultures. Lord Only Knows feels like it could have been on Mutations. Jack-Ass has long been my favorite song on the album, but that probably has something to do with it not being a big single so it's my own little "secret".

Everytime I get a Beck Album, I really enjoy it. Firstly, some really cool melodies at the start of the album. Kinda like a George Harrison Revolver Era Indian Inspired sound. The lo-fi of the instruments is always cool, and Beck even makes country sound great. I do remember hearing some clever lyrics in there too. Top album! 5 Stars.

Genuinely liked it! I might listen again. Erick knew this album too!

I don’t need to tell you he’s a genius. Hell yeah brother

One of those that I was delighted to see come up, as I already knew I'd be giving this 5*. It's a weird, idiosyncratic, unique but brilliant album. Every song brings something a bit different although I still find Odelay has a distinctive sound, mostly based on the meshing of hip-hop/samples and alt-rock. It's a real creative statement and Beck's work with the Dust Brothers is a winning combination.

Oh man the amount of times I listened to this album in my teens is insane. I’d throw this CD on my weird little boombox thing and just do, random things? I actually don’t remember. Anyways, I will enjoy re listening to this. I didn’t realize this came out in 96 that’s actually crazy it feels a lot more like 2000s music to me. This album is so weird. So fucking good. Masterpiece tbh. Weird time signatures, crazy genre blends, tasteful af. Mix isn’t even something I used to think about and am also still not thinking about now cause it’s just so easy to listen to it’s a well sculpted album lol.

Splendid 👌

While I don’t like a number of songs in this album, it has some of my fav songs on it.

classic

I haven’t listened to this album in forever. Going back there are some lesser known tracks that I forgot I loved. Only skipped one song so this is my first five star!

You have to be in the mood for it, but it's bloody good when you are.

Geez-Louise. This album is still great. I recall this album being seemingly everywhere back when it was released. A welcome omnipresence.

I was obsessed with this one when I was a freshman in college, interestingly it was this and a Silver Jews album that I listened to nonstop. So very good great awesome in my book.

No notes. As an album, it comes together really well.

Genre bending classic

Beck is the constant innovator and he is the most varied artist on the planet. Great vibes to this one and worth multiple listens.

Beck is one of those artist that may not have a firmly defined sound, but you know immediately who is playing. I completely understand why this is not for everyone, but to me the wild creativity and genre blending is unbeatable.

I'm a little embarrassed I've never given Beck a listen before, this album is really good and feels fresh to me even thirty years later.

Never actually heard this one, which is odd since I'm definitely partial to Beck and really enjoy both Mellow Gold, and Sea Change. This was another awesome listen. He's got a lot of sixties influences which feel like they push through. Some moments where he really sounds like he's doing a modern take on the Beatles or Stones. Not in the Oasis way, either. In the "I'm going to throw some samples together, and a driving bass, and trippy lyrics in the spirit of psychedlia." Lots of hip-hop influence as well. Just an artist who really sounds like he knows a lot of music and likes all of it. Great album

This is a really cool album that captures Beck as his most wildly creative and experimental. Since this, most of his albums have seemed like genre experiments that are hit or miss, but this is all over the place, and better for it. Beck hooks up with the Dust Brothers of Paul's Boutique fame and turns in a sample heavy album that combines hip-hop, electronica, rock, blues, punk, and psychedelia. Coming of the heels of the demise of grunge and britpop, it's a weird album that may not have had the success it did in another time period. Lots of great tunes here including "Devils Haircut", "Lord Only Knows", "The New Pollution", "Jack-Ass", "Where It's At", and "Ramshackle". 5 stars.

It's hard for me to be objective about this album because it unlocks a lot of great memories. Odelay came out when I was 18 and it's an album I usually put on when I was already in a good mood, so it's the soundtrack to the best bits of starting university - and the following year, Beck was the undoubted highlight of my first festival. I had a Beck poster up in my student house, and now I have an (amazing) artwork a friend made for me based on the Odelay cover hanging in my living room. Aside from the nostalgia though, I do believe Odelay is a genuine banger. It's quirky, inventive and eclectic, but underpinned by some great tunes.

Yes please. Dunno how you define Beck as an artist yet this is surely the definitive Beck record. Full of tunes, full of creative ideas, there’s something else every time you stick it on. Belting.

Beck is one of the most amazing and unique artists out there. He reinvents himself constantly and never disappoints. This was the sound of my college and post-college years; Beck will always bring me back to those days, quite fondly. This was his chance to push back against the backlash he got after "Mellow Gold", and he successfully defied the haters and showed he was his own artist, on his own terms. He's still changing his sound today; can't wait for what he does next.

Now here’s a nostalgic album for me! Beck was one of my mom’s favourite artists when I was growing up; Odelay and Guero were staples in our house. Odelay is an absolute hodgepodge of genres: there’s alternative rock, blues, country, hip-hop, jazz, and tons of experimentation. You never know what the next track has in store for you, let alone the rest of the current track, but somehow the ever shifting genres manages to be surprisingly cohesive as an album and the tracks are incredibly catchy. There’s really not a bad song on this album. Where It’s At in particular is one of my all time favourite songs

Stellar album. Just the right kind of distortion and unique sound. Beck is an absolute legend for the sound he created and passed on. You can hear the slight hip hop influence in the drumming/beats, but it's just so interesting and so Beck.

Man I really wanna be a cowboy.

One of my favorites

This is still really good. Beck landed like an alien when this was released. It was wild and intuitive, filled with stream of conscious compositions. It was like he shook all the sounds out of the radio and rearranged them. I don’t love all of this, but it’s undeniable.

lowkey really fire and kinda reminds me of pavement. is this loser era? i love beck’s album colors and milk and honey but this is a different sound which is also good. he sounds like stephen malkmus bless up

Odelay and Midnite Vultures are two of my favorite albums of all time, so I’m very glad this one made it into the list. Extremely creative blend of sounds and styles

LoFi greatness

This is ageing so well - just a great album.

Yea

Beck's debut was a kitchen sink effort - every idea was a great one no matter how odd it seemed. I'm glad he toned it all down in his latter releases, but as a first go, it is top draw.

i will literally listen to anything from Beck so maybe i'm biased.

Je vais pas passer par quatre chemins: j’adore cet album. Chaque piste est tellement différente de la précédente, avec des arrangements weirds et du sampling de n’importe quoi. Incroyablement, mis ensemble, ce bouillon musical forme un album très tight et étrangement consistant. En plus, le cover est 10/10, il représente à 100% le feeling d’écoute

Great album, one of my favourites of his

So, the generator has not finished feeding me Beck albums and we hit peak Beck, in his mid-90s pomp. Within Beck's discography, you get a total variety of different flavours of albums. Within this album you get a complete smorgasbord of different kinds of songs and within each song you're also likely to get a ramshackle pick'n'mix of hip-hop, folktronica and psychedelic rock. The raucous guitar line that underpins Devil's Haircut, the irresistable stomp of Where It's At, the groovy electronic mosaic of The New Pollution (complete with dreamy sax solo on the way out), the delicious bassline of Novacane or the glittering country twang of Jack-Ass. Take your pick, it's all fantastic.

Another album that got the "hell yeah" reaction when it came up. First off, all-time album cover. I loved this album when it came out, and still do now. The fact that Beck does this genre-bending stuff, going from country ("Lord Only Knows" "Sissyneck" both of which I have sung to myself regularly) to punk(ish) ("Minus") glam rock ("Devil's Haircut") and even tries to rap ("Hotwax" "Where It's At" "High 5 (Rock the Catskills)") without managing to sound like a total dork is in and of itself an accomplishment. . If I had first listened to this as a grown-ass man, I'm not sure I'd have the time for THIS many nonsense lyrics, but be it nostalgia or just loving the music so much, I don't find myself irked by "Going back to Houston/do the hotdog dance/Going back to Houston/Get myself some pants" or literally every line of "Devil's Haircut" and "The New Pollution." It's fundamentally just a fun, silly album from an incredibly talented musician. It's a no-skip listen for me, as are all of his best albums (this, Sea Change, Morning Phase, Midnite Vultures, Guero). This is all 90s as hell. I'm 43 and the world is falling apart. I'll admit it, I miss the 90s. Five stars.

Beck's interesting, came in as the ultimate slacker with no musical education...ends up writing some of the best pop collage albums of all time. Sounds both very 90s and also very prescient for trends to come. Gets 5 stars as there isn't a weak track.

Brilliant set of songs, really stands up to repeated listens. Brothers and sisters just clap your hands

Yup

I don’t hand out a lot of 5s, but relistening to this album shows me why I loved it so much when it came out. It continues to stand the test of time. Beck does an amazing job of weaving traditional blues-based music with hip hop, electronic music and psychedelia.

Odelay. Just an excellent album: lots of good songs which are nice to listen to. We enjoy them.

Yes lad

Wall to wall bangers

Great album, was obsessed with Where It's At when it came out, like a precursor to some of Avalanches stuff. All the singles are bangers, and him live at Witnness cemented my love for him and this album. Jack-Ass my favourite of all his tunes, great Van sample, but great lyrics, always come back to it..

Some epic tunes on this, easy five stars. Although he does sometimes get carried away with his noises.

Had this as a cassette for the car so I’ve listened 1000 times.

Lots of sound layering and really sweet beats. 5/5

Tremendously diverse, Interesting throughout. I understand why no radio singles, but masterful all the same

I already knew the album and listened to it again after a long time. And I still like it very much. 5/5

One of the best albums of the 90’s for me and still a great listen today.

It amazes me how mainstream this was at the time.

1996 peak Beck. 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

Played this album to death when it came out, it's still excellent today.

Инцельское дерьмо

This one takes me back to my teens. I was a big fan of Beck back then, although I have mellowed (yes, pun intended) a bit on him in recent years. This was always my favourite album of his. So many different genres, experiments, and wacky lyrics it's even hard for me to pick out highlights. I can see why it might not be for everyone, but it certainly opened my mind at the time.

One of my favorite albums!!

10/10 no notes

I am a huge Beck fan, and this is probably his magnum opus. One of the most unique albums of the 90's, it just combines so many crazy and unique ideas. I think the more lowkey songs are underrated on this album, I really love Jack-Ass and Derelict, I think they just have really great vocal melodies. Also Ramshackle is one of my all time favorite songs. High 5 (MF more dead than alive)!

Im probably the oldest in that poll. I was a huge fan of Beck at this time, I even had the luck to meet him briefly ! Of course Odelay has been one of the records the most played at my home. A true pleasure to re-listen to it now. It's awaking my old crush again !

Show me someone who doesn’t like Odelay, and I’ll show you someone who can’t be trusted. 5/5 Highlights: Devil’s Haircut New Pollution Where It’s At High 5 (Rock The Catskills) Ramshackle

Such a good album maintains a consistent vibe whilst being batshit insane in places. I think my first 5 star I have such a soft spot for it

Enjoyed every note and loved the randomness of the lyrics.

This is great album. Different. But very, very good. Idiosyncratic is the phrase that comes to mind. The guy covers so many genres of music so effortlessly, it's hard to keep up. I get why some people don't gel with Beck but I really like his approach

Un super bon album de Beck ! J’écoute ca fréquemment depuis plus de quinze ans. C’était l’album de l’heure à l’époque. Ça m’a pris du temps avant d’embarquer, mais je ne regrette pas les efforts.

🎵 Day 36 / Beck – Odelay (1996) 🗯 Beck was never supposed to be more than the ‘Loser’ guy. Instead, his outing with The Dust Brothers blew that and the whole idea of genre in general to pieces. Already a huge fan of this record, it’s a junkyard carnival — hip hop loops, dusty folk, fuzzed-out garage riffs, mariachi horns, and whatever else he felt like throwing in. And somehow, it works. Songs like ‘Where It’s At’, ‘Devils Haircut’, and ‘The New Pollution’ are stitched together from samples and scraps, but they swagger like fully-formed anthems. It’s messy, absurd, and deeply, deeply cool. When someone asks, “How do I get into Beck!” I tell them to listen to this and ‘Sea Change’. One moment you’re in a thrift-store rap, the next you’re knee-deep in psychedelic blues. Credit to the Dust Brothers (also behind Paul’s Boutique) for turning Beck’s eccentric vision into a landmark of 90s postmodern pop. This isn’t just eclecticism for its own sake — it’s a snapshot of a decade drunk on possibility. Still feels refreshing almost 30 years later. Play it loud! Verdict: Essential For fans of: Beastie Boys, Pavement, Blur, sampledelia at its peak

ovo je BANGERRRRRR. Nevjerojatan album, svaka pjesma je doslovno feast for the ears na sasvim novi način. Odličan listening experience. Glas je predivan i tekst isto. Lagano 5/5. Najbolje pjesme su “Ramshackle” (EASILY), “The New Pollution” i “Jack-Ass”, no zaista svaka pjesma s ovog albuma je certified drmalica i zaista nemam NIKAKAVIH ZAMJERKI!!!!!

Do I need to listen to an album I’ve heard 30 times? It was groundbreaking and fun. Years later it’s still awesome. Beck super talented. Great album.

One of my favorites. Probably top 50 for me. It’s a mix of several genres of music. Cow poke country to hip hop to bossa nova to post modern driving rock. Lyrically it’s Beck at his finest, always coming up with absurd scenarios and creative wordplay.

Oh man do I have memories with this album. I would have been 13. Really brings me back to Amarillo. May have been the last time I visited there before I grew up, only returning briefly and for the last time when Dad died. I guess I was playing this shit constantly that summer. What a great album.

These fucking drums on Derelict. Don’t stop. Play Forever. But then it does stop and we get weird with novacane. This album is just an amusement park of sounds and grooves.

My favourite album to date. Completely up my street. 4.5/5 rounded up to 5/5

so so so cool and such variation in genres that it stayed so interesting to listen to. absolutely obsessed and loved it.

Great album that I haven't listened to in years. Saw Beck live on this tour at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Sure miss the 90s. 4.5/5 #133

Cover 6 Great album. Can listen all the way through, no skips. "Hotwax" is sorta whatever but tolerable. That's probably the weakest song for me. Otherwise, great album.

nice

A masterpiece or something of a blip? For a few years there it sure felt like the former, but I’m not sure how kind time has been to it. To some extent that is Beck’s fault, revealing he has a few default modes - white boy leftfield hiphop, sad sack, pop star, sometimes all at once - which he has returned to over the years, although never quite recapturing the “whatever works” melange on Odelay. Beck’s succeeded in large part because of taste: his and wherever the public is. He applies this taste via a classic pop/rock formula: take this one genre and pair it with an unrelated one and see what happens. Odelay is maybe his most singular statement in this regard, thanks in large part to the Dust Brothers’ sampledelia, but the ethos is present throughout a number (all?) of the songs here: just about every one is up-tempo, light, catchy, etc and the lyrics are about abandoning the past, leaving people, the world not measuring up to a standard, etc. Maybe calling this record Mutations would’ve been too on the nose, but change and transition is all over the place. I can’t quite make sense of whether the sampling/genre mix and match scans as metaphor or if this was just in the ether in the 90s from Tarantino to the Dust Bros to Wu-Tang to Pavement. Reusing old, “dead” art to create something new and have a rebirth, that functions as part of the mutations metaphor. Odelay’s one of the few CDs I had with me wherever I went in the second half of the 90s. You could just sense that this was about as airtight and uncompromising a statement as Beck could make. Some of it feels a little dated in its white boy rap schtick but it’s a classic.

This album is very nostalgic for me, since I was a teenager when it came out. I loved it then and I love it now. Expressing quirkiness elevates it. Bajam. That's it. Five stars. One thing I will add is that I want to meet Beck one day, and read this very review out loud to him. Wouldn't that be a day?!

Great!

61/1001. After sauna grillaamista (barbecue), next to the outdoor fireplace which is falling apart, made out of an unused concrete well ring (tai mitä vittuja kaivonrenkaat englanniksi ovatkaan), sun is shining even though it is near midnight (yay Inari!), Beck's Odelay is playing. What a time to be alive!

OK, I admit that when I first heard Beck from "Loser" fame and buying Mellow Gold on CD, I thought it was going to be another one of the infamous 90's one and done acts. So, so so many of them in the 90's when CD's got cheap enough to buy and forget that you only liked one or 2 songs on it. But no... Beck came out with O'Delay and changed the game. This CD was strong right out of the gate with Where It's At being the lead single, and then following up with New Pollution, Devil's Haircut... it just got better and better. I was a solid Beck fan by this point. Great album, it's hard to find a flaw in it. Great sampling in it from the most obscure sources. Midnite Vultures will still always be my favorite Beck album but this is right up there. 5 stars, easily.

Beck is a musical chameleon, seamlessly blending surf rock with with old country twang and inventing a new vibe with it. Every track on this album has endless layers of instruments and samples that I can listen to on repeat and always find something else I didn't catch on the first listen. This is my summer jam kinda album.

Listening through this years later - wow! How unique, creative and resourceful!

"Odelay" is a word. Just look it up in the Becktionary.

This was super fun, Beck really did some experimental stuff with his work and it’s a treat for anyone listening.

C’était vraiment cool on ressentait l’influence grunge grave sympa

I'm a simple man. I see Beck and I give 5 Stars.

Banger

Super Dope

first time listening to this one, definitely has has own vibe

Wholly original, it's almost like it's its own genre of music. Alternative Rock? Hip-Hop? Electronica? Lo-fi Indie? Experimental? All of these, and yet none of them. I can only assume it sounded like the future to audiences back in '96. It still sounds like the future now, but a kind of retro-future, the future envisioned in the 90s that never came to pass. Of course, all of this would be meaningless if the songs weren't good. And they're great. Fun and catchy, odd and at times very silly, and throws a bunch of left-field ideas to the listener without it sounding forced and try-hard. Not taking itself too seriously is also a strength, but that was the Gen-X/Slacker ironic zeitgeist, and this album couldn't have come from any other cultural moment. Key tracks: Devil's Haircut The New Pollution Jack-Ass Where It's At?

This record speaks to me. For about a year, I didn't really vibe with it much and Beck was always too weird for me. But as time progressed, I became one with what Beck was laying down on this. I became a sucker for getting down and funky so to speak. The use of samples and sounds make this one of the most unique albums I've ever encountered. It's punk, it's down right dirty rhythm, it's hip hop, it's this mix that makes Beck all his very own. I love it. (8/10, 5/5 on this scale)

Great

Surreal perfection

Espetacular

I bought this when it came out but I haven't listened to it in a while. It still seems fresh and inventive.

I love Beck. This album is in the running for my favorite Beck album -- probably depends on my mood but I was definitely in the right mood when it showed up.

I’d only ever heard “Where It’s At” before this. The whole album is very cool.

This album is so freaking good. Don’t try to figure out what any of it means, just have a good time.

135/1089 - One of my favorite albums! The wurlitzer-riff on Where It's At pops in my head all the time. Cool experimental folk/hip-hop music that covers a lot of genres with finesse. In addition to tasteful instrument fills there's the most random crap like yelling through a megaphone, vehicle warning beeps, or a bitcrushed? jaw-harp which really complement the sound. Each song was quite interesting and fun to listen to.

Genre busting brilliance. There’s a little bit of everything and somehow it all works together.

Sleazy in the most enjoyable way

Probably not a true 5, maybe more like in the 8.8-9.2 range. But this is such a fun album, some of becks best work imo. So much nostalgia and such great production. Great album cover too

Amazing

freaking amazing

One of my favourite Beck albums and definitely my favourite album cover of his. Devil’s Haircut is a great song, opener and concept in general. Drums sound like something from a dance anthem. The quirky synths and effects weaved between barmy words quickly establish the credo of the album ‘rotten oasis’ is a favourite of mine. Hotwax bit of an incidental country infused dentist drill of a song. Lord Only Knows has has shades of Crosby, Still, Nash and Young, Nilsson, it’s understated and bizarre at times. The New Pollution is absurd and undeniably poppy. It’s got swinging sixties drumming and guitar riff throughout. Top drawer Beck lyricism all over it. Novacane’s high pitched segment doesn’t do much for me, but hats off for creating such a horrible bit and then going into the lovely lullaby that is Jack-Ass. Where It’s At has such a cool vibe. It’s the highlight of the album for me. Superb songwriting, very vivid imagery conjured up and catchy as heck. And it has those weird Beck moments sprinkled over it ‘that was a good drum break’. Minus has that great earthy guitar and chugging momentum. Sissyneck has a lot of country bumkin, hick charm and then a brilliantly simple, sliding bluesy chorus. Once again, plenty of quality wordsmanship going on here. Ramshackle is the kind of lazy ditty Beck effortlessly makes cool. Would not be out of place on One Foot In The Grave next to Girl Dreams or Cyanide Breath Mint.

A great album, and Beck's high point by a long shot, where the stars align on all the eclectic musical interests he has. The album isn't even of course--you wouldn't really expect a Beck album to be. Minus is a minus, for example, and High 5 is a little grating. But the high points of the singles--Devil's Haircut, New Pollution, and Where it's At--as well as deeper cuts like Hot Wax, Novocane and Jack-Ass, far outweigh the misses. 5/5

really good. genuinely like nothing ive ever heard before.

Love this album.

This is “Where it’s at”! Love the slide guitar and scratch noises. It’s my kryptonite!

Pretty damn glorious. I knew a handful of tracks and I really love New Pollution and Devil's Haircut, but ever track was enjoyable. I love the combination of great songs with ramshackle instrumentation, drum beats and stream of conscious poetry vocals. There's punky numbers, laid back ones, plenty of fun lines. Deservedly a classic.

Great, very my style of music, some long songs with lots of instrumental parts

I love all things Beck. Mellow Gold was a nice record but this one really pushed him into the stratosphere. People will be singing "Where it's at" to themselves for generations

Note : 4,5. Top from the 90's. Listened to it 1000 times, still fresh after 30 years, filled with good songs and strange sounds.

Yeah, Beck zeigt die ganze Bandbreite in einer wilden Fahrt durch Genres. I like it!

Awesome

Great album.

Still listen to this one frequently. An eclectic mix of songs and sounds.

Ended up really really liking this. Some songs maybe went on a little too long. But overall I loved this.

Still holds up. Amazing how analog it sounds now, despite seeming like it was beamed down from another planet at the time. Kudos to Beck & The Dust Brothers for an all-time/nuanced banger.

This was the album that sparked my love for Beck after knowing scattered songs of his. Ever since, he's been one of my favorite musicians.

10/10 5/5 loved it no notes

Masterpiece. Fav song: Jack-Ass

Odelay is what happens when you give a musomaniac genius an opportunity to build his perfect album. Beck threw everything he loved into this album. Why wouldn’t you add Middle Eastern modes into Derelict? Was Novocane originally a Beastie Boys song? All songs like New Pollution should start like the Jetsons and mold immediately into a 1970s Curtis Mayfield groove. My favorite songs were Jackass, which was almost autobiographical about my late 20s, and Sissyback, which is just a whistle blowing country-funk mashup that I am still trying to decode, and, of course, Where It’s At. There were no albums like this. There are no albums like this, even by Beck. This is his and our opus.

Random thoughts: * This is such a 90s album. It just sounds so 90s with the hip hop influences and samples. Plus the freak folk of Beck. * This is peak Beck in my opinion. He's done so many different things since but this was his masterpiece. He's done a lot of great stuff since but nothing ever matched this height. * Top tracks are "Devil's Haircut", "The New Pollution", "Jack-Ass", and "Where It's At". * The lesser tracks are good too. "Derelict" stands out for me.

Wowza. So many amazing sounds towards the end. …5?

loses a little steam in the final third or so but otherwise Right up my alley

So gooooood. Total 90's dream.

Love this. Classic. Listened to it when I first got into Beck and come back to it often when I want some Beck.

Choice 👌🏻

Where it’s at, indeed

Joyful, full, upbeat and complicated.

So good

I listened to this album a lot in the 90's, and I revisited it and Beck's whole discography a couple years ago. I think Odelay feels a bit its age, unfortunately. However, I think it is still fun trip of nostalgia for those that knew it or a view into a time when something this fresh could come out of left field. There really aren't much being created like this with this production, right now, because the state of the industry doesn't really allow it. Therefore, I could really give this a 4 based on how much I may really want to listen to it nowadays or 4.5, but I think 5 is deserved if you take into account where it came from, how much it really was "everywhere," and how original it really was at that time, mixing together so many things into every song.

I just like it! Every song has a unique groove and honestly really good writing. There's some really interesting instrumentation in there. That flailing piano in the background of Hotwax along with some nice bongo, the bass in Lord Only Knows holding it all down (also that unhinged scream at the beginning was ideal) and the fun little acoustic interlude near the end, the sax in The New Pollution, the percussion in Derelict marching along and each piece offsetting the rhythm of the others and the lyrics and what a great ending with the stretched out chords, the thrilling background in Novacane contrasting with the fuzzy vocals, the snappy keyboard in Where It's At and the nice wind interludes (especially the sax), the perfectly timed chimes and stretched out hits in Minus, the soaring guitar contrasted with the alarms and then that crackling static at the end in Skyneck feeding into the same effect in Readymade which has jangling keyboard riffs and horn interludes, High Five has that beat laid down with jangling tones contrasted with smooth horns and a fun percussion feature in the middle, the acoustic guitar with slight key change in Ramshackle.

Great album I've heard many times. Devil's haircut was the first beck song that really grabbed when I was a teenager

This was the first "cool" album I bought. Its such an odd album in that it all feels cohesive in the way it's so random and almost searching? Its not the best album but I think that's the point. When it works it's magic and when it doesn't it's still a whole lot of fun. My 5's are getting weird

Let’s make it out baby

For the longest time, all I know from Beck was Loser. I've never liked Loser all that much, so I thought I just didn't like Beck. It's only recently through the countless reccomendations from my parents that I decided to open my mind to his music. I heard a few tracks from this album, and thought they were pretty good. I was no longer a Beck hater. Now with listening to Odelay through this challenge, I think I'm a Beck fan. This thing is full of fun and interesting ideas. Percussion is fantastic throughout, the sampling is incredible and the extra bits he adds all contribute wonderfully to the final product. Fantastic song writing. It's honestly such a fun time. Truly genius work here. Standouts: The New Pollution, Jack-Ass, Sissyneck

Awesome!

Not many records can be brilliant and have a sense of humour. Great record. Bit too long.

Excellent

An absolute mess of an album in the best possible way. Folk, Lo-Fi, Hip-Hop, Dadist Poetry, Blues, Pop, Southern Drawled vocals - there's something for everybody here. Beck and the Dust Brothers at arguably the peak of their powers. Best Tracks: Devils Haircut; Lord Only Knows; Where It's At

cool as fuck and still sounds amazing

Love this.

Really great stuff here.

Cooky and influential

Great album so many memories 5*

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Slackery remix jams. Like sugar ray but good

Beck's *Odelay* (1996) is a landmark album that redefined genre boundaries in popular music. Its eclectic mix of alternative rock, hip-hop, folk, blues, and funk, combined with Beck's surreal lyrics and The Dust Brothers' groundbreaking production, created a sonic collage that remains influential. Below is an in-depth review of the album focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its pros and cons. ## **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Odelay* are often abstract and surreal, showcasing Beck's knack for stream-of-consciousness storytelling. Tracks like "Devils Haircut" feature vivid imagery and cryptic lines such as "stealing kisses from leprous faces," which evoke a sense of disillusionment and identity crisis. "Where It's At" celebrates music's transformative power with playful rhymes and quirky phrases like "two turntables and a microphone," which became iconic. Songs like "Hotwax" and "Lord Only Knows" blend nonsensical wordplay with cultural references, creating a patchwork of evocative yet elusive meanings. Despite their abstract nature, the lyrics often touch on deeper themes. "The New Pollution" critiques consumerism and modern culture, while "Ramshackle," the album's subdued closer, reflects on loss of identity in a homogenized society. Beck’s lyrical approach is less about direct narratives and more about painting fragmented images that resonate emotionally or intellectually[1][2][5]. ## **Music** Musically, *Odelay* is a kaleidoscope of genres. Beck seamlessly blends bluesy guitar riffs ("Devils Haircut"), country twang ("Sissyneck"), funky grooves ("Where It's At"), and Eastern-inspired melodies ("Derelict"). The genre-hopping nature of the album is one of its defining features. Tracks like "Hotwax" shift between folky blues, psychedelic rock, and hip-hop within minutes, showcasing Beck’s ability to make disparate elements feel cohesive. Sampling plays a significant role in the album's sound. The Dust Brothers brought their expertise in layering samples to create intricate soundscapes. For example, "Where It's At" features a playful array of samples, including spoken-word snippets and quirky sound effects. Meanwhile, "Readymade" incorporates Mexicali influences with techno beats to craft an intentionally tawdry yet compelling vibe[2][3][5]. ## **Production** The production on *Odelay* is nothing short of revolutionary. The Dust Brothers' work on the album involves extensive use of sampling, looping, and layering to create textured tracks that feel both chaotic and meticulously crafted. Their approach was influenced by their earlier work on the Beastie Boys' *Paul’s Boutique*. Beck described their studio process as experimenting with how much they could "mess up" each song while still making it work[2][6]. This experimental ethos allowed for moments of brilliance where seemingly incompatible elements coalesced into something unique. For instance, the gritty guitar riffs in "Devils Haircut" are paired with hip-hop beats to create an infectious groove. The production also ensures that every track feels distinct yet part of a cohesive whole[1][3]. ## **Themes** *Odelay* explores themes such as identity, disillusionment, consumerism, and cultural fragmentation. While Beck's lyrics are often cryptic or nonsensical on the surface, they reflect broader societal concerns beneath their playful veneer. For example: - **Identity**: Tracks like "Devils Haircut" delve into questions of self-perception and societal roles. - **Consumerism**: "The New Pollution" critiques the emptiness of modern consumer culture. - **Cultural Fragmentation**: The album itself is a metaphor for cultural hybridity, blending genres and influences from various traditions to reflect the fractured yet interconnected nature of contemporary life[1][5]. ## **Influence** *Odelay* had a profound impact on both Beck’s career and the broader music industry. It cemented Beck’s reputation as one of the most innovative artists of his generation and proved that he was far from being a one-hit wonder after his breakout single “Loser.” The album’s genre-blending approach influenced countless artists across alternative rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. Critically acclaimed upon release, *Odelay* won two Grammy Awards (Best Alternative Music Album and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for “Where It’s At”) and has since been regarded as one of the greatest albums of the 1990s. Its adventurous spirit encouraged other musicians to experiment with genre fusion and sampling techniques[2][6]. ## **Pros** 1. **Genre Diversity**: The album’s ability to seamlessly blend multiple genres is unparalleled. 2. **Innovative Production**: The Dust Brothers’ use of samples and loops creates a rich sonic landscape. 3. **Timeless Tracks**: Songs like "Devils Haircut," "Where It's At," and "The New Pollution" remain iconic. 4. **Lyrical Depth**: Despite their abstract nature, the lyrics evoke strong imagery and emotions. 5. **Cultural Impact**: *Odelay* redefined what an alternative rock album could be. ## **Cons** 1. **Inaccessibility**: The abstract lyrics and eclectic style may alienate listeners seeking straightforward narratives or cohesive genres. 2. **Aging Elements**: Some tracks or production choices may feel dated compared to contemporary standards. 3. **Inconsistencies**: While most songs are brilliant, tracks like “Minus” or “Derelict” are less engaging compared to standout hits[3][4]. ## **Conclusion** *Odelay* is a masterpiece that captures Beck's creative genius at its peak. Its fusion of genres, innovative production techniques, and surreal lyricism make it an enduring classic that continues to inspire musicians across genres. While its experimental nature may not appeal to everyone, its cultural significance and artistic achievements are undeniable. For fans of boundary-pushing music that challenges conventions while remaining accessible enough to enjoy on multiple levels, *Odelay* is essential listening—a testament to Beck’s ability to turn chaos into cohesion.

que buen álbum, hace un recorrido por varios sonidos y géneros el nivel de producción esta bestia y deja las bases para la música que se haría las siguientes dos décadas

mindfulness...

30 yrs after the 1996 debut, the height of my new found curiousity w ph I had nver heard it in it's entirety.....loved it, way ahead of it's time.

Old classic for me. Good memories.

Loads of fun, great.

This was awesome!!

so good, never gets old, will have this on repeat for the rest of my life

Amazing production. Every song sounds like it's on the same album, even with a ton of different "genres". Awesome mash of folk with a Beastie Boys style of rock and hip hop

Great album, terrible person

I listened to this on repeat when it first came out

Elska Beck þótt hann skuldi okkur tónleika. Mjög weird plata en á góðan hátt. Veist í raun aldrei hverju þú átt að búast við í næsta lagi. Gæti verið tekið upp í einhverjum kjallara í miðbænum. Hrátt, skrítið og töff.

Beck er snillingur. Alltaf frumlegur og með sinn stíl en samt í takt við tíðarandann.

A nice and summery album that feels very at-home in the 1990's.

Such a well constructed album. Love Beck. Love this album.

Next time I'm in LA I'll be listening to this album in stop and go traffic. Really captures the culture

genre: rock pop alternative 90s random. i loved it!

Rad album!!

Really fun and creative album! Pretty all over the place creatively and genre-wise, but in my opinion that doesn’t hurt it. It’s constantly entertaining and inspiring. The Dust Brothers production shows clearly, as many of the songs are reminiscent of the Beastie Boys, in a great way. The album sounds remarkably fresh still, and wouldn’t be out of place if it was released today. The songs are catchy and memorable, with enough dissonance and chaos thrown in to keep you on your toes. Again fun to listen to, and can hear its influence resonating in many indie and alternative albums from the late 90s and 2000s

strange

Love this. One of my favourite albums from my teens. Easy 5.

So many gems. Outstanding.

Day350 - i remember buying this and loving it and now revisiting it really brings it back

This is such an excellent album. Beck's creativity and genre exploration are so natural, and certainly helped me and countless other 90s kids understand that punk, hip hop, folk, country, disco, and any other shape of music can work together and sound fascinating and even beautiful. I whistle the intro to "Sissyneck" regularly.

Going down to Houston, To the house of dance. Going down to Houston, To get me some pants.

I freaking LOVE this. Every track goes a different direction but they're all so seamlessly put together. Drums in the back are awesome, and whatever tf he decides to do with his voice always pays off. The word gruff is a great way to describe this Fav Songs: Devils Haircut, Minus, High 5 (Rock the Catskills)

Love this album, came out the year i graduated and i went to see beck and no doubt at the shoreline not long after. Listening to it again, i was struck by the consistent tone no matter the song.

What a banger!

I remember my friend Peter bringing “Loser” around in our medical school study area (maybe there was subtext?), and it blowing up everyone’s well-coifed Pet Shop Boys-like heads. How do you follow up being so original? Then this messy, groundbreaking, nonsensical masterpiece arrived and cemented him forever as the best poet of slide guitar. And he’s still doing it oh so well. Foundational for him and for all of us listening.

90s classic. This album sounded so fresh when it was released and although it has lost some of that excitement I had when I first heard it, I still think this is an excellent album front to back. The production is rich and the songs sound fantastic. High Five

A pretty great album, probably a five for how much I loved it in the day. Still very strong.

Indisputably one of the best albums of the mid 90s. I remember being quite intrigued by the nonsensical lyrics back then - yes - he actually is singing about his time being a piece of wax that's falling on a termite that's choking on the splinters. Oh, OK then. It's not about the lyrics - it's about how the sound of his voice fits in with the music, and the music is delightful.

Loved this album—the way the genres blend and the diversity of sounds used is incredible. I'll probably have to give it another listen, but man, songs like "Derelict," "High 5," and "Lord Only Knows" were some of my favorites. There were a few tracks in the middle that weren’t as amazing, yet they were still good. I think I’m feeling a 5 on my first listen, might bump it down to a very high 4 though.

Super fun album. It feels like going to a party unstuck in time. There's something for everyone in here

Loved it

i fw this heavy

own

A transcending blockbuster that is like any other. The perfect sophomore album (yes he had One Foot in the Grave) in the mainstream to crush expectations and cement Beck's legacy as an artist that cannot be matched.

No private session used for Spotify. I love this album, I was amazed by what it blends musically. I got into Beck previous albums and became a fan of the Dust brothers. I love every track on this album.

I liked this, but it's not my favorite Beck album.

Didn’t recognize any song titles but I sure knew the tracks as soon as they played! Great mix of styles and sounds, really good album! I didn’t love every track but having a hard time finding negatives, would easily listen again, and therefore giving it 5/5

Unforgettable innovation

One of the best albums of the 90s. So inventive, so melodic, so fun, so different to other popular albums at the time. And just so good.

Still bonkers, still just as creative 30 years later

Epic!

If it ain't perfect, it ain't far off.

Haven’t revisited this one in ages. Still holds up. Not better than Sea Change or most of his other stuff for that matter, but still a fun listen.

I haven't listened to this album in a while and I appreciate it more in the context of this project.