Reviews (page 6 of 13)
Dudes a genius, how does he sound like that
Catch me in the right mood and this album is awesome. It's a little slow and melancholy for everyday consumption. I'm a sucker for steel guitar, and this album has it, so that's a plus. Vocally and lyrically Beck shows why he's held in high regard on this album.
I really really like the melancholic/emotional vibes. Different from his previous albums. Personal Top3 in no order: Paper Tiger Lost Cause End Of The Day
Wow, what an amazing album. I love all the different tones here. I know that he wrote this in reflection of the break-up of his girlfriend. But even so, there is a lot going on here. Once I heard "Lonesome Tears," which I thought was a cover at first, I knew I was in for a ride. This is the second album of his, after "Odelay" which begs for another listen. I am quickly becoming a big fan of his.
As with a lot of Beck's output, I suspect this is a grower, but even on the first playthrough I can that this is a great record. The string arrangements are gorgeous. Favourite tracks: Paper Tiger, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Little One.
I felt like it needed a couple change of pace songs mixed in.
Sad. Nice. Good album.
Good soundscape but it's like 3 songs too long
I enjoyed this album quite a bit. I acknowledge it is not perfect, but I enjoyed my listen
I don't know why, but I initially thought this was going to be terrible. Why do I have a bad impression of Beck, despite not knowing a single song he has done? Do I have him confused with someone else? Anyway, wow. What a nice surprise. Great voice, few skippable tracks, but mostly solid ones with a few gems in there. How have I never heard him before??
Good stuff. I remember when 2014’s Morning Phase came out I listened to it three or four times thinking “hey Beck’s really good” and I should go back and listen to some other stuff. Of course, squirrels and other shiny things, I never did. So I’m glad this album came up in the rotation.
Quite the slow and steady album, and such a sea change from Midnite Vultures (my favorite Beck album)
This album hangs like an Elliot Smith album. Heavy on the soul.
achei um pouco interminável mas eh bonito
Gorgeous
Always love a bit of beck! One of his better albums!!
Bought it on a whim years ago and although I didn’t mind it, I never quite embraced it. Listened to it Sunday morning doing yard work and really felt it more. Solid album. Worth a few relistens.
Superfint. Er noe David sylvian-lignende greier jeg har skikkelig sansen for (round the bend f.eks.). Super blanding av pop, folk og rock i fine balladegreier Sterk 4
Mellow singer / songwriter album for the millenium. Very slow and beautiful album that is reference quality recording. It sounds absolutely gorgeous. The music is just as meticulously crafted. The first half of the album is stunning. Gorgeous songs. The languid pace does cause my attention to wander in the second half of the album but the sheer beauty and craft is always evident. 4.5 stars knocking on the door of 5 stars
Oh, the things a broken heart can do... When you build a career based off of one intriguing stylistic change after another, it becomes hard to envision a record full of heel dragging heartache; the kind that spins the wax off records from thirty years previous and it becomes refined for a similarly devastating experience for the artist and the audience that still captivates twenty years onwards. Sea Change is both literal and figurative, for Beck was not only feeling things, he was turning a new leaf and years of changing colors. His career would have been just fine if he kept on doing the zany things he had mastered by then but, by achieving this, he had given himself a new boost. Oh, what a broken heart can do. Favorites: The Golden Age, Paper Tiger, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lonesome Tears, End of the Day, It's All in Your Mind, Sunday Sun, Little One.
Really fantastic. I’ve been familiar with some of Beck’s work but haven’t sat and listened to an entire album and I really enjoyed this. Felt some similar vibes from other bands I love, felt the sadness, will be listening again.
Very full bodied album. Don’t know what a song was about
Great production right from the start. That first acoustic guitar chord rings so well. I also always love when indie acts tie in synths into acoustic instruments. That first intro synth melody sits so nicely on top of the very warm acoustic guitar and the brittle sounding pedal steel guitar. I've never been a huge Beck fan (honestly probably only for lack of trying and I can almost guarantee that I will be a big fan once I spend more time diving into his music) but it's very obvious that there is a mastery to his craft here. Little details have intention- like the flow between songs (the seamlessness of track 1 into track 2 for example), and there is care placed on just about everything you hear. Nothing is phoned in. "Guess I'm Doing Fine" is really great. I instantly added it to my annual playlist (new year new playlist) which I listen to daily. "Lonesome Tears" is also equally great and beautiful. He has a great ear for when to use these impressionistic key-borrowing chords at times to match the emotion of lyrics without ever sounding too modal. It's mastery. This is a really great album. "Round The Bend" ripped out my heart with those strings. Unbelievable beautiful. I will have to listen to it more but right now it's a 4 out 5. I feel like when it was over I wanted a little more movement out of the songs and that there were just a few too many midtempo ones.
Je ne connaissais pas du tout cet album de Beck (je connais assez mal Beck de façon générale), très bonne surprise. J'ai beaucoup aimé la première et la dernière notamment.
J'ai beaucoup écouté les deux premiers albums de Beck mais pas trop celui-là, et c'est dommage, parce qu'il est vachement bien. De la très bonne pop folk mélancolique, les chansons sont assez variées et efficaces
This was a bit of a revaluation, only new beck from Odelay and this was a complete step change
Tranquilo. Bonito.
Surprisingly pleasant.
A fantastic album but I can’t listen to Beck very easily anymore.
I used to be a bigger Beck fan when I was younger, and Golden Age and Lost Cause were always amongst my favourites. I think this album is a bit too dreary in places, and the last few songs are quite dull. But overall it still holds up!
Dreary album (after a breakup with his long term girlfriend), but it deserves a couple of listens to let or sink in. Wiki: "the album features themes of heartbreak and desolation, solitude, and loneliness. For the album, much of Beck's trademark cryptic and ironic lyrics were replaced by simpler, more sincere lyrical content." "Little One" has a Nirvana feel
Un excelente álbum de country, que expande el catálogo de Beck a un sonido menos irónico y más reflexivo, desechando la producción con tintes de trip-hop que venía presentando en sus trabajos anteriores. Una muy buena adición a la lista de los 1001 álbumes que escuchar antes de morir.
Very emotional
This is my second Beck album and this one is completely different to the other. This album reminded me of Radiohead - (in rainbows) and Elbow. I’m impressed that Beck can produce such varied albums that are high quality in such a short time period.
Big surprise from "Loser" artist, I really liked the downtempo chill vibes!
One of the great opening lines of any album ever, and a record that once held a great deal of personal meaning and the first Beck album that ever resonated much beyond a novelty, "oh-that's-sorta-cool" factor (everything else feeling too contrived and overcooked). It even became a best-friend sort of record during a difficult time (for reasons of mood-calming and empathy-feeling). The strings sound better than I recall, but there's little deying just how drowsy this gets toward the back, which keeps it from top ranks. But that “Put your hands on the wheel / And let the golden age begin” – man, is that good and redeems so much. "Guess I"m Doing Fine" and "Lost Cause" and "Sunday Sun" are next best. Much else is forgettable for being just too sleepy. The release date of Jan 1 also seems salient. " 3.6 > 4 (rounding up for nostalgic and emotional reasons and because one hopes Beck is feeling better about the breakup).
At times felt a little boring, but ultimately I liked this. Beck’s lyrics were actually relatable. Lost Cause was by far the fave.
Mopey but not bad. This album reminded me a lot of the nick drake album we last heard and is different from other Beck I’ve heard.
Lovely
Very chill
such a refreshing shift in his discography. breakups usually bring out the best in artists. the production paired with the songwriting feels like getting a blow job and then falling asleep for a good long while. however since i don’t have that kind of time i will say this album is too long. i would cut End Of The Day and It’s All In Your Mind.
Found this to be an incredibly tender record, gorgeously produced. Really touching stuff that I didn't necessarily expect with what I knew from Beck. The trio of Lonesome Tears, Lost Cause and End of the Day as the records centrepiece is something special. Fave track: Lost Cause
Sad. Bleak, Somber. But still very nice to listen to. Standouts: Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lost Cause 4/5
I prefer his more eclectic albums, but this stripped back focus on songwriting Beck is not too bad either.
Only heard loser by Beck before, though I knew he had a much wider range of songs/albums than that. This was really good, there were some great songs here. I think he has a country music voice and applying to it to acoustic singer-songwritery stuff makes it much more interesting. Only complaint would be it's all pretty much one gear, so listening in one sitting started to get repetitive. I'll probably cherry pick some tracks from this but not listen to the album again.
Not sure I've ever really listened to Beck before. This was ok, none of it did too much for me and passed me by a bit. Seems like Beck was having a bad time when he wrote this. Poor lad Actually gave it a second listen and enjoyed it more. Very chilled but melancholic. Highlights were: The golden age Lost cause Already dead 3.5
Strong album with a Standout in Paper Tiger
I enjoyed this one. This album is so damn laid back & chill, It legit made my morning a lot better. Immaculate vibes all around.
Quite mellow enjoyed this
Enjoyed this album as it was different then expected. Sappy songs. 4/5
this is objectively a very good album. i can see how it has inspired other artists and why it means so much to a lot of people i know. it is sleepy and very sad, although i will admit that when i'm in a sleepy and sad mood i am more likely to put on jeff buckley first. that being said, there is still a mood that i can be in to listen to this, which can't be said for most of the other albums i've listened to so far. favourite: guess i'm doing fine. least favourite: round the bend. really struggling on whether to give this 3.5 or 4 as i really recognise the musical value but i am not sure how much i will remember the individual songs. i'll say 3.75 although giving this anything less than a 4 does feel like a crime.
I'm shocked
I never thought that I liked Beck’s music much except “Loser”, but this album changed my mind and I’ll be listening to the rest of his albums.
I only know Beck from his hit single Loser, so I had different expectations that what this album was. Sea Change Can best be described as alternative folk and alternative chamber music. Sometimes the two styles crossover but more often it’s one or the other. But frankly, I think it’s pretty good. The lyrics are very heartfelt with themes of despair and a broken relationship, themes more emotional than Loser, which discusses themes of being a loser in a comedic way. The highlights are Golden Age (a good example of Beck’s songwriting with an interesting alternative folk sound that totally caught me by surprise and good lyrics) and Lonesome Tears (a nice chamber ballad with pop and alternative influences that give it a grand feel to it amidst themes of a broken relationship). This album was really good, truly took me by surprise. I really wasn’t expecting me to give this rating but I’d say this album warrants a 9/10.
I had heard about this album, but did not take a chance to actually listen to it until today. This is sad Beck and it's very good. It's a lot of sadness, so it gets a bit sound-same at the end, but overall just a really good album and a nice dichotomy from his usual quirky work. I am going to investigate more Beck, as I have usually just dismissed him as a quirky guy who doesn't have much depth.
My favorite breakup album
It was a nice discovery, but difficult to pinpoint what I like. Not something to listen to daily though
This is my second Beck album in this generator (the first being his album Odelay, which was released 6 years prior to this one). This album has a much more intimate feel to it, with it being mostly acoustic with the addition of some keys and strings here and there. The reason this one is so stripped down is because Beck had recently broken up with his long time girlfriend, and this was his way of healing from that heartache. The pain and suffering of heartbreak, and depression can be heard all through this album, and made this record really surprising to me (I was expecting the hip hop/alternative rock stylings that I heard in Odelay). The one similarity was Beck's ability to take largely nonsensical lyrics and make them paint a beautiful tapestry for the listener. Overall, another excellent Beck record. This is another side of him that I didn't know about, but I'm glad I discovered. Favourite songs: The Golden Age, Sunday Sun, Lost Cause, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Already Dead Least favourite songs: Round the Bend 4/5
Personally loved this, my favorite Beck album until this date.
Some sad Sgt. Pepper energy. liked it a lot more than the first Beck album I got on here.
Sea Change by Beck is a deeply introspective and emotionally resonant album that showcases his versatility as an artist. Released in 2002, it marked a departure from his eclectic sound, embracing a more stripped-down and melancholic approach. The album's delicate melodies and poignant lyrics, such as in "Lost Cause" and "The Golden Age," evoke a sense of longing and heartbreak. Beck's vulnerability and introspection shine through, creating a captivating and intimate listening experience. While the album may not appeal to fans of his more upbeat and experimental work, Sea Change stands as a testament to his songwriting prowess and ability to craft deeply affecting music.
Elle te méritait pas beckounet..
Lovely, dreamy sounding album, probably my favourite by Beck.
Nearly perfect album, every song is amazing and inflicts great emotion, but I must qualify it by saying that it’s not very memorable. I would want to rate it a 4.5, but a 4 makes more sense than a 5. Initial reaction was great, it just didn’t really stick in my head for too long.
'twas really good
Really enjoyable. Listened to it while working but would like to give it another listen with more intention. 4/5.
This album meanders (takes its time?), but in a way I enjoyed most of the time. The melodies/progressions were actually pretty uniformly pleasant. Nothing immediately jumped out as a banger, but this doesn't seem to be the album for that anyway. It's pretty long at ~52 minutes, but the strings are nice and give me Pink Moon vibes. My only prior experience with Beck was Odelay, and this is super different, stylistically. Overall, I liked it a lot. Standouts: The Golden Age, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lonesome Tears, It's All In Your Mind, Already Dead, Sunday Sun
I immediately recognize this album cover, but had never really listened. Was just a bit early from when when I hit my big Indie pocket. A soaring album of dramatic swells and emotions. Really keyed in on the lonesome aspect of heartbreak, highlighted by the use of space and small effects suspended in them.
Impresionante el esmero puesto en que cada paso de un acorde al otro sea sumamente triste, desolador. Me transportó a un dolor conocido y confortable. Con sus aromas a Elliott Smith, golazo de Beck.
Used to be on my heavy rotation. Solid all the way through, and a legit concept album.
Musta on jännä, miten muuntautumiskykyinen Beck on, ja miten taitava tyyliin kaikessa, mitä se tekee. Itse tykkään tästä levystä tosi paljon, mutta ymmärrän kyllä, miksi sitä aikanaan dissattiin. ****
Much like Bowie and Cohen, I really want to love Beck. While I do like it more than them, it's not in a genre I love, too subdued a lot of the time.
Me gustó bastante, las guitarras, el sonido "triste" y súper calmo
I prefer Beck's more upbeat stuff. This was a solid record though and showed he could do just about any style of music. As an artist Beck is fantastic.
I used to listen to Odelay in the car with my parents but never listened to anything else. between 3.5-4
I hadn’t listened to any Beck outside of E-Pro. 3.7
Het klinkt allemaal mooi, technisch ook dik in orde. Fraaie strijkers, een heldere acoustische gitaar, lekker ruimtelijk, zang is op orde. Een beetje Bowie-achtig, maar dan wél fijn om naar te luisteren. Het duurt allemaal wel een beetje lang moet ik zeggen. 52 minuten is voor mij iets teveel, ondanks dat het goede nummers zijn dus. Album kruipt voorbij. En dan krijgt ie bij Sunday Sun nog een beroerte ook. Meer geschikt als soundtrack van een sombere ruimte-film dan als album om even lekker naar te luisteren tijdens het werk. Twijfel toch tussen 3 en 4 sterren, omdat ik het wel echt kwalitatief goed vind.
I'm a fan of this album. It's definitely a sad bastard type record, so I have to be in the right mood for it but the songwriting is really strong. I've listened to this one off and on since it first came out and it definitely reminds me of a specific time in my life. Beautiful songs, trying to decide between a 4 and 5 because there are definitely Beck albums I'd go to more often and first (Odelay, One Foot in the Grave and parts of Mellow Gold) but this is still such a strong record. Standout Tracks: The Golden Age, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lost Cause, End of the Day, It's All In Your Mind, Already Dead, Sunday Sun
A bit of a portent for what's was to come in terms of style from Beck. I like it's down-tempo melodies. Good to listen to.
Beck's musicianship is just outstanding. And all of the musicians that he surrounded himself with for this album are outstanding. And the songwriting is outstanding. It's just really not my jam. Someone give Beck a cup of coffee and a hug already. He really seems like he needs it. "Sea Change" is so damn melancholic. Like... REALLY a downer. Unenjoyably so. Listening to this album feels like sitting next to someone crying on the subway. You don't know them and can't help them so you and everyone else in the car are left to just awkwardly and uncomfortably witness someone else's public grief. It's rare that I listen to an album and think, "dang, that's really good and I REALLY don't like it" but "Sea Change" is one such album. It for sure isn't my vibe but the quality of songwriting and performance just can't be denied.
An album I feel like I should be familiar with but I'm just not. I really enjoy it alot from a vibes perspective.
An album I like but don’t love. Connected more to Becks next two albums
Very nice
I really enjoyed this!!!
Beck mellows gracefully with some lovely little songs. Sometimes a little samey, especially when you compare it to his eclectic previous catalogue, but it's just very pretty
The good album.
Beck is super cool. This isn't my favorite album of his, but it's still great. I also think it's easier to appreciate Beck by listening to all of his stuff (or at least a sampling of all of his albums) at the same time. The man has range, but each album is different. So, when you listen to just one, it's easy to just think he's "okay" - but you'd be wrong.
Nice, chill, moody. Loved finding Paper Tiger earlier this week, and very much a companion piece to Morning Phase, which I loved already
Actually decent
Great instrumental work blended with electronic components, melancholy and yearning is present in instrumentation long deep strums, minor chords, and dragging low pitch/energy voice. Touches of psychodelic influences to boost memory imagery
Radiohead folk
Super chill, ambient indie rock/country/folk Some songs have a super spacey sound Reminds me at times of Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
This album was basically regularly played at home - I remember when it came out it revealed Beck to have a little more depth (even though his genius was still undeniable). Now with time, it doesn't have that same impact - the songs are long, and I suspect I am warm to them because I know them, but if I had to hear it for the first time again, beyond the novelty of an acoustic space-y Beck album - I don't think I'd find much more. Just a note, unusually the second half of this record is better than the first, at least that's what it felt like. I still have fond memories of the record so I cannot help but rate it slightly higher
very good - quirky. Want to listen some more, might go up to a 4.5 on additional listens.
It's a very good album. Paper Tiger is a perfect pastiche of Melody Nelson era Serge Gainsbourg, and a later track is like a lost Nick Drake song. A lot of the rest is pleasant Americana. I'm a lot more enamoured of the surrealist Prince of Midnite Vultures, or the punk-folk-hop of Odelay, but this was enjoyable.
good
A melancholic day dream.
this was SOOOOO good. love the cover art and instrumentals and definitely want to listen to it again. the whole album is a work of art
Interesting album. Nice sound design. Great for a specific mood, otherwise the album just felt sleepy to me. Very unique sounding though!
Thank you Beck. Sorry about your breakup with your longtime girlfriend, but this is a wonderful, and sometimes sad, album.
One of the best unintentional slow chill albums I’ve heard. Really enjoyed a few of the cuts. It’s raw and heartfelt.
Big departure from some his previous stuff and I didn't like it on first listen but I feel it love with it and over the last 15 years easily the Beck album I listen to the most. Is it 5 stars? 4.5 I'd say since there a few songs that are ehh, I always skip Round the Bend.
I never listened to this record before and I’m glad for this 1001 Albums effort to have introduced it to me. This was not the Beck I was expecting and showed a completely different view of his songwriting talent. Really a quite beautiful record that I’ll be sure to revisit.
This is the Beck album I've listened to the most after Odeley. It's full on singer/songwriter Beck and I really enjoy it. Side note - I think this is the only album I ever had on SACD. I couldn't tell the difference.
For this record, Beck opts for a melancholic feel, reflecting the ending of a long-term relationship just prior. Lots of sad breakup songs, all of which are solid. What really shines here is the production. Throw on some good headphones and drift away….
Listened to on 12/05/22 3.5/5 Favorite song: golden age, lost cause Beck seems sad but sad Beck writes and sings very beautiful, soulful music that was extremely mellowing
This album kinda had me torn and I was going to give it a 3, but decided to give it a 4 simply because it was recorded so well. This album made me feel the same way I feel about Jacob Collier sometimes. When the music is TOO musical I feel it takes away from the songs. And I think this album was walking on that line just a little much for me. The only one I felt like I could fully breathe and appreciate was Lost Cause. Lyrically I thought was one of the more sound ones, and the parts weren’t too too intricate. Really enjoyed that song. The sonics overall on the album were really great. There were a few times throughout the album where some bell lead lines were a little harsh when i feel they needed to be pleasant. And I thought it was a strange mix choice to have the strings be the loudest thing in Paper Tiger (I think it was that one). Lyrically and melodically I didn’t enjoy a ton of his vocal performances with the exception of a few. Overall it is a well thought out and recorded album. For me I think just a little tooo thought out that it felt unnatural some songs. Anyways overall good album
A stunning album. One that holds deep power for me. "The poster boy of irony looking straight into the camera and confessing his bitterness and desolation following a breakup," as one reviewer put it. I don't have a strong connection to Beck save for this record. I appreciate its honesty and simplicity. I am enchanted by its melodies, arrangements, and (mostly live) production and recording at the hands of Nigel Godrich. I listen to it frequently. His voice here sounds so aged and weary. Nothing like the voice on his albums that came before it. Hard to believe that this is the same artist who launched his career with "Loser," and harder still to believe that he went from that to this, his eighth studio album, by the time he was 30.
Sounds like if Bono made good music
Great album! It was a lot more folk-country than I expected, from the songwriting to the guitar patterns to the way Beck sings. What set it apart for me were the sudden harmonic shifts and chord jumps characteristic of a lot of late 90s early 00s music (think Elliot Smith, Zero Seven, Nirvana, early Radiohead, etc.), and the swelling and wandering string textures. My favorite songs on this album were probably "Lost Cause", "End of the Day", "Lonesome Tears". All super harmonically interesting but never jagged or jumpy. It's interesting because I felt like all of the songs sound kind of similar but I never got bored of the sound or the mood. Beck creates a particular feeling with his somber vocal delivery: it's a bittersweet, "what can you do?" sort of shrug punctuated by a furrowed brow, a mood that melts into quiet wonderment as we look up to the nascent starlight and, despite our tragedy-honed suspicions, imagine better days to come.
Just an amazing sound for Beck. Elements of psychedelic folk, twangy guitar sounds, and gorgeous orchestration. They fit so well together… it’s a cinematic sound and a great pairing. I especially loved Nigel Goderich’s production treatment on this album: inventive, versatile, but never feeling too full. How does he do it? Everything sounds like a movie. I will definitely return to these songs. It was a comfortable, contemplative morning listen.
Very much enjoyed the performance. I am found of the right balance between instruments and vocals. This was well done
Super well produced with many interesting timbres and textures, good songwriting. A bit slicker than other Beck I've listened to, but in a good way.
Stripped down to mostly strings, guitar, and vocals - this album has a moody, chill feel & I enjoyed it.
La chanson Lost Cause me donne toujours des frissons et envie de pleurer. Merci de m'avoir ramenée à cet album. J'adore l'ambiance en demi-teintes.
Sad, subdued and solid. Maybe more of a 3.5 than 4, but whatever.
Beck a été la grosse révélation du générateur la semaine dernière, et malheureusement, le comportement arrogant et vaniteux dont il fait preuve depuis que je lui ai annoncé avoir apprécié son album ont quelque peu gâché l'image que j'avais de lui, sans toutefois me faire changer d'avis sur sa note.
It was a nice one.
This album holds up really well. I loved it. 4/5
Brings a smile to my face. Can’t ask more from an album
Laid back, easy to zone out. I love the acoustic guitar
its no Loser but it's solid
Love this album - great memories linked to it
Beck's sad, breakup, singer-songwriter album! I haven't listened to this one in a long time and forgot how good it is.
So sleepy! Giving me Lou Reed vibes for some reason. Loved the second track way more than the first. I'm excited about the jazzy string vibes. Over-all, a lovely album that gives me early 2000s vibes. The album would be great on vinyl. Ooo, I really like "Already Dead to Me".
Cool Album, good songs...
p888. 2002. 4 stars. Nick Drake for the new millennium. Came cold to this and was pleasantly surprised - strong lyrics, excellent musicianship and production. On the repeat listen list.
I usually like my music cheerful and I am usually meh on the Beck I already know. But this album is lovely all the way through. Calm and calming in the background, sad/melancholy when listening closely. Who hasn't felt like this at least few times in their life? Favorites: Lost Cause, Sunday Sun.
Beck never ceases to amaze me with the depth of his work.
Know Beck obviously, never listened to an album. This is great. Melancholic, polished, a proper album for when you need background music running through your head. Downloaded and saved.
Lot more folk than the beck stuff I've listened to before. Forgotten about lost cause, used to be a song I loved
Loved this. Had a really soothing feel throughout, the acoustic guitar was perfect for his voice, and the songwriting and lyrics were great. I saved almost every song.
This was overall really good. The instruments/lo-fi vibe fits really well with the lyrics but could also be listened to casually while studying or working without tuning into the depressing aura (although maybe you do want to be depressed when you’re studying or working) The Golden Age and Guess I’m Doing Fine stood out to me in the first half. Parts of Already Dead reminded me of No Rain by No Doubt. Definitely the kind of album you hope you don’t feel emotionally drawn to too often but that’s wishful thinking. These themes will be around as long as humanity is which will allow this album to age well. Strong 4/5
Beck is sad so he trades his two turntables and his microhpone for an acoustic guitar and lush string arrangements. Nigel Godrich does an outstanding job behind the board, to the point where his production actually outshines Beck's compositions on some of the last tracks of the album. Up to that point, this was the first time that Beck showed a more personal side of him so Sea Changes is notable for that. Also the songs are mostly really good, particularly the first five.
Probably best Beck Album. I have it in CD for years, might consider buying the vinyl as well. great production.
I think it's the first Beck album that I love from start to finish. It must be said that I am a fan of Nigel Godrich and that his participation appears enormously on the album. There's a lot of rich and uplifting arrangements. The voice is also very calm and felt. Great record!
Not sure I ever had the patience for Beck before now. I really enjoyed sitting with this album.
Cheeelin
Sad boi Beck.
Malo mi je izgubio s godinama
"Lost Cause", one of my all-time favorite songs from Beck, is on this album. I have listened to Sea Change before and several of the songs from the album more than once. One of my big music regrets was not taking time to see Beck when he toured for this album along with the Flaming Lips (who were touring for their album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots). This is a mellow album with a calm energy. As such, the album does not frequently come to mind when I'm looking for something to listen to. At the same time, if anyone were to suggest that I listen to this album, I would easily listen to the whole thing again.
this was really nice! i've liked beck's stuff before, but this makes me think i should check out his full discography. this album at least deserves a close listen.
Big fan of Odelay and Vultures, I've been a sporadic fan since. One of those artists I keep intending to get through their last few albums but I never quite do. So, um yeah, this one took me almost 20 years to get around to. Oops. Woah, Paper Tiger. Getting his Serge on. Ooh, it's sad Beck. Okay. Lush production on Lonesome Tears. Gorgeous song. Some of the quieter ones I think are going to take a few listens to appreciate. At the end, yeah, rating this after one listen feels fraudulent. But I will definitely revisit this.
Enjoyed that this wasn't a quirky album. That's usually what's turned me off to Beck. It felt very serious in a singer-songwriter/country/folk kind of way. I loved the production on this, especially the strings.
This album shows Beck trying to make sense of a breakup by dropping the sarcasm and experimentation in favor of a more stripped down and earnest approach. For the most part, I would say that it works very well. Beck’s voice is almost languid, as though the emotion makes it difficult to sing. The instrumentation is simple but effective as acoustic guitar and strings usually are in conveying sadness. The album is a bit too long.
Or 'Beck goes emo' - following the slacker, funk, tropicalia, and the downright weird, Beck worked with Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Travis, producer du jour) on this maudlin collection of ballads inspired by a break up. It's probably his most consistent album, everything is engaging and the string arrangements are fantastic. Guess I'm Doing Fine and Lonesome Tears are particular highlights. Only thing is I miss fun Beck on this - perhaps one or two more upbeat tracks would have made this a 5 star album.
Not my favourite Beck album, but a Beck album is a Beck album, sooooo
One of the most underrated Beck albums.
Melancholy and soft. Good stuff, but it lacks the sort of humor and fun of other Beck stuff I have listened to, which does bring it down a hair for me.
The album is fantastic but due to the sad nature I don’t think I will be returning that oftern
I remember this album surprising me when it came out. Sea Change is more my speed. Acoustic, melancholic. It showcased a stripped-down Beck with a simple focus on writing break-up songs. It works. Beck feels sad and we all mope with him.
I'm a huge fan of Beck after listening to Mellow Gold, Odelay, and Guero. He's always doing something different. Here we have melancholic folk rock with country and baroque influences. The lyrics are clear and reflective (as opposed to his other nonsensical work), with atmospheric accompaniments that range from tense to relaxed. Songs like "Round the Bend" remind me of 70s folk artists, although I can't remember who. (Leonard Cohen?) Complaints: Too long at over 50 minutes. It's all a bit formulaic. I thought tracks 6-8 were weak and lost the momentum. Favorites: Golden Age, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lost Cause, Already Dead
I guess I'm not totally indifferent to Beck; I do like some of his songs. And, this album is right there with "Odelay" as my favorite. It is quite the depressing affair though. This album was recorded after the break-up of Beck and his girlfriend of nine years. All of the songs deal with heartbreak, desolation, solitude, loneliness or depression and were actually written over eight years but not accumulated into one album until this. Lots of allusions to deserts and roads. Most of these songs are ballads with background string arrangements, a change from previous albums. The production and acoustic/string arrangements are both very good. The lyrics of this album are very straight-forward; this is a break-up album. Not the high-end drama of the Afghan's Whigs' "Gentlemen," much, much, much more subdued to say the least. My favorite songs happen to be more popular ones too. "Sea Change" has an almost Stones' "Angie" start with acoustic and slide guitars. Allusions to desolation uses deserts and driving. "Guess I'm Doing Fine" and "Lost Cause" are very specifically about breaking up and have a very sad and beautiful feel to them. Definitely not the happiest music to start the week with but may be Beck's high water mark.
Beck is kind of a Generation X version of Neil Young on 'Sea Change.' But, with a lower voice. Any number of these acoustic songs- ‘The Golden Age,’ ‘Guess I’m Doing Fine,’ ‘Side of the Road’- they all have that Neil Young sound and feel, even complete with pedal steel and slide guitar (featuring Smokey Hormel, which is the perfect name for a slide guitarist.) But he also gives a nod to the Beatles with a ‘Day in the Life’ ending on ‘Lonesome Tears’ and a drone improvisational conclusion to ‘Little One’ that would have easily fit alongside the other psychedelic pop on 'The Magical Mystery Tour.' His supporting cast are all subtly superb, especially bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who shows how it’s done on ‘Paper Tiger,’ for example, and keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr, who empties out the kitchen sink on ‘Sunday Sun’ with everything from the Clavinet to harmonium. And the secret sauce to this whole thing are the marvelous ambient sounds that pop in and out of virtually every song (especially the outros) like the varmints in a whack a mole game. Imagine composer Steve Roach sprinkling Neil Young’s Harvest with synthesized atmospheric dust and you’ll get the idea. But the three numbers that really put this thing over the top were David Campbell’s creative and lush string arrangements on ‘Paper Tiger,’ ‘Lonesome Tears,’ and ‘Round the Bend.’ With a tinge of an almost Middle Eastern vibe, these three songs were a sonic contrast to the otherwise simpler acoustic country/folk tunes. Again, think of ‘There’s A World,’ and ‘A Man Needs a Maid,’ off of Neil Young’s Harvest. Campbell’s scoring accentuates the defeated and desolate nature of these compositions, written in the aftermath of Beck’s discovery that his fiancée had cheated on him, thus ending their nine-year relationship. The songs on 'Sea Change' develop slowly, so be patient. And don’t expect to find much here other than just an outpouring of hurt. The whole LP is like the raw recovery following major surgery. It’s an inspired work of art that you’ll probably seldom want to play. But when you do… well, research has shown that country music, more than any other genre, causes its listeners to consume alcohol. Between that, and Beck’s desolate lyrics, you’re gonna want to make sure you’ve got plenty of beer iced down before you drop the needle on this one.
After only really knowing Beck from the song Loser. I don't quite know what I was expecting, maybe something that made less sense? I liked this one a lot.
This is very good, on the basis that you like music that shuffles about and murmurs to itself without particularly going anywhere. But why should it? It's a cozy, finely wrought soundscape that Beck has pieced together here, and the result is an album that is a quiet joy. Why not a five? Perhaps it's just a little too comfortable with itself. A minor criticism though...
Sedate
Just what I wanted from beck. Melancholic lyrics but never to the point of melodrama, and with a sound to match
Je connais mal Beck mais c'est toujours bon quand j'en entends. D'emblée les ballades guitare voix, vous aurez compris, c'est pas trop mon truc mais rapidement j'ai bien vu que c'était plus que ça! La réalisation est juste débile, ça sonne comme c'est pas possible! Les tones de drums sont fous! J'écoute sans lire et j'ai eu deux en deux en pensant à Mélodie Nelson (track 2 évidemment) et à neil young plus tard. J'y ai capté des échos lointain de Nirvana et Radiohead aussi. Les arrangements de cordes sont biens, pas trop sirupeux, les petits bouts plus atonaux dans les solos de guits et piano en fin de pistes sont parfait, les synths lointains et pianos à l'envers. Bref j'ai tripé !
Je préfère Beck lorsqu'il est plus éclaté, mais cet album surprend. Les arrangements sont superbes. Un album dans ce mood n'est pas un disque qu'on sort n'importe quand, mais par une journée pluvieuse comme hier, c'est parfait. Pièces préférées: Lonesome Tears, Paper Tiger, , Lost Cause
Sea Change by Beck (2002) It’s fitting that this record should be introduced to me on a morning when the ice is quickly melting off the window panes, but the overcast sky refuses to yield to sunlight. The artist picks up his acoustic guitar and sings a young man’s songs for an old man’s ears. This album is a decided improvement over Beck’s earlier work Odelay (1996), which was marred by its lack of direction and its dependence on ‘electronic factory’ sound and aimless, intentionally absurd lyrics. In Sea Change (2002), however, a 32-year-old Beck emerges as a mature musician, with his scaled-back, laid-back acoustic-heavy ambience, and where the electronic sounds are reduced to appropriate accents (almost always at the end of each track, as if to remind us that this is still, after all, Beck). While studiously avoiding convention, he nevertheless gives us poetic messages that cohere both rationally and emotionally. These tracks are truly songs. And Beck has assembled skilled musicians, arrangers, and a production team to provide body and scope to his compositions. “Guess I’m Doing Fine” is an indisputably moving lament about a love that’s over—a memorable expression of feelings in the middle ground between despair and hope. It is set in a suitably slow country mood, evoking both melancholy and ambivalence: “It's only lies that I'm living It's only tears that I'm crying It's only you that I'm losing Guess I'm doing fine” The inventive and complex string arrangements on “Paper Tiger”, “Lonesome Tears”, and “Round the Bend” add a sense of musical authenticity to deeply discerned passions, with enough innovation and harmonic complexity to generate continued interest. These three tracks alone are worth the price of admission. “Lost Cause” and “End of the Day” are convincing songs, where the listener feels the pain having to come to grips with the fact that it’s over. If you’ve ever been there . . . This album will put you in a mood. Good music does that. 4/5
8/10 Best Song - Guess I’m doing fine
Not beck's best album, but still pretty great
I’m not going through a break up right now, but keeping this one in reserve if that does come up… Nice to get it over a weekend so had the chance to listen a few times. I’m not sure what it reminds me of Pink Floyd/ Neil Young but I doubt I’d guess it was Beck, glad he’s got the freedom to release what he’s feeling though.
very chill. worth another listen
No hip-hop, samples, funk, falsettos, just a ruminative downbeat selection of gorgeous acoustic ballads. If ever you doubted he was hiding a lack of songwriting behind over-complex arrangements, this should set you straight.
4.5/5. Very nice, soothin.
Sad Beck is my least favorite Beck, but it's still pretty good.
Melancholy, chilled, its a good listen for a nice quiet drive home
Iako sam veći fan njegovih ranijih albuma gdje je lo-filija izražena <3, ovaj album ipak spada među dražima sa favoritima poput: The Golden Age, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lost Cause, It's All In Your Mind (više volim raniju verziju u razdoblju Mellow Golda) i Little One. Znaš da je album dobar čim nabrzaka možeš nabrojati dobre pjesme. Album ima te nijanse ljepote, lagane gitare, dašak suvremenog folka, sve u svemu lagano, a lijepo! Šteta šta ipak neće doći na inMusic :(
Wow, great album, moody, but does so much with it. How did I not get into this when it came out?!?
Stronger than I remembered (and I liked it at the time)!
Melancólico y lindo. Triste y con buenos arreglos. Todo el disco va en línea con Fighting for a Lost Cause que es la única que ya conocía. 3.5 que sube a 4
Beck was clearly Going Through Some Stuff when doing this record - it's much more low key and downbeat than some of his other offerings, but a great theme that he works well. Nigel Godrich's production shines, particularly on tracks like Round the Bend which sounds like Radiohead done by Nick Drake. Packs a powerful punch, if a bit gloomy. But a great one to have on if you want a wallow.
I love the feel of this album. It’s languid, contemplative, intimate, with songs that linger with you long after they’re over. Beck starts with a bit of a warm Laurel Canyon-ish vibe, building on it with some really gorgeous string arrangements that give great depth to the sound. The lyrics are desolate, bleak and painful. Anyone who has experienced loss will feel these songs in their bones. The album is on the long side, without much change in tone to move it along. Beck’s trapped in an emotional inertia here, and so are we as listeners. It's a heavy listen, but really beautiful. Fave Songs: The Golden Age, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Lost Cause, Lonesome Tears, Already Dead, All in Your Mind
yup
Don't have much time to review, but I really liked this album. Beck does bittersweet really well. I like Morning Phase better as an album, but this one serves as a nice companion piece
Awesome
Muy buen disco
Chill. Good lyrics. I would add to mood playlists. Will listen to more Beck.
Very chill and pleasant listening, I really enjoyed this album. The addition of the sound-effects/production (for lack of a better term) was really well done. Favourite tracks: The Golden Age, Guess I'm Doing Fine, Already Dead,
This album is so much darker than I remembered, or maybe I am hearing it differently than when I was in high school. Beck has captured melancholy in a beautiful way. This album brings feelings of wanderlust and apathy together. Lost Cause is the standout favourite, although Golden Age is a tight second.
unaufdringlich melancholisch, aber nicht kitschig, immer a little bit country, paper tiger instrumentierung ist der star - eels schaun vorbei - understated aufwändig produziert - lo-fi dynamisch. Bruder im Geiste von Springsteens Nebraska. schön. Top songs: Paper tiger, its all in your mind, round the bend,
I think this is a bold change of pace for Beck, and I like the album. I don't love it, as there are a handful of weaker songs but it stands out in his discography as an outlier.
I've heard about half of these songs, this is a really cozy album. I wouldn't say I'm a Beck "fan", but this album is pretty darn good.
Loved it.
A nice surprise
Surprisingly different from his usual stuff. Really enjoyed it
Not my favorite beck album. A little slow and a little too country.
2002. Lost Cause, Little One, The Golden Age
311221 16:43 3.5
Even though this album was a huge change from his previous work it is just as good. Just don't expect two turntables and a microphone.
Muy bonitriste álbum. Sigue siendo uno que me gusta, aunque no lo escucho tan seguido. Me da paz (?) 8.5/10
4.0 + A very different direction for Beck after coming off some freaky pan-genre explorations via "Odelay" and "Midnite Vultures" (also terrific records). Here's Beck's breakup album that draws inspiration from the American songbook with soft inflections of other genres, all modernized with subtle studio flourishes to keep sparkle in the background. It's mostly downtempo with uncomplicated chord structures, with the exception of "Paper Tiger" which is just awesome. Some will find this album a little staid and even boring. At times, the breakup aspect of this album feels a little on-the-nose. Still, it maintains a morose atmosphere that I find quite pretty.
Sombere teksten met hier en daar een iets harder gitaarklankje. Om wel eens te herluisteren op een gepast moment
Didn't took my attention really, but sounds interesting
A little too chill for me, but I enjoyed it.
Not what I expected at all but pleasantly surprised!
There's a slide or pedal in the very beginning: A strong opening which would usually cast the other sonics in country colors. The string sections alongside are arranged like soundtracks. There's noise, too: occasional distortion, creaks, what appears to be an engine. It all comes together, surprisingly, into a post-rock effect. Not something that would obviously work with pop music. Accessible is what the words and arrangements make each track. Masterfully prepared.
I rated Odelay by Beck 2 stars. Can't really remember why because my review stated that I don't have much to say about Beck. I guess I don't have all too much to say about this one either, though I like it much better. It's very melancholy and it sounds pretty good. That's really it.
Not an upbeat album, very much a downbeat, pensive, thoughtful time listen. Listened to it a lot when it came out.
A bit on the slow and sad side, but I enjoyed it. The melodies are nice and I love the sound of the guitar. The acoustic sound is mellow and relaxing.
I love this album. Lush strings and some extremely well-placed devastating chord changes. I fell in love with Beck's music from this album, and is still the one I go to if I want a fix o' Beck.
Had to listen to this twice to really get a feel for it. The music kind of sits in a comfortable place between country, folk, and Coldplay/Radiohead-style early-2000s rock. It's very pleasant to listen to! Beck's vocals are very low-key and underplayed, while still packing in quite a bit of emotion. I've been oscillating between 3 and 4 stars, but I think I talked myself up to 4. Lonesome Tears is the track that did it for me.
A really nice surprise- I love a bit of chilled acoustic Beck (morning phase being a good example) and I’ve clearly let this pass me by back in the day - loved it and will be back for more
its a bit dull at times but it is a great work. Lost Cause is a timeless classic even if it did not top the charts. it is the most convincing change of direction on their 8th album by any artist.
Chill vibes and really nice acoustic instrumentation. I never really got into Beck for whatever reason in spite of liking a lot of similar music but I dig this album.
becks a weirdo but he makes a good album
Nice and sad, easy to listen to
Very Beck, I think the opening number is so similar to his number morning from 2014. What can I say, It is one of the most sundayish albums, a relaxing and mellow feeling that I really like.
Revisiting this album is both a blessing and a curse. The songwriting is still so far ahead of contemporaries, but now comparing it to the later Morning Phase album shows a less polished effort. Even when stacked against that, this album still shines, just not as bright.
I love Beck, although this is his slowest and most somber album. As a standalone I'm not sure it works, although it does have some songs I like. But, as part of the Beck discography it fits in and is critical, in a way.
nice album, great sweeping, serious songs. runs out of steam a little by the end but very good overall
Hadn't heard this album before. Much more chill and less rock-heavy than very familiar albums like Odelay and Guero, but I liked it. It showed some strong melody and had a consistent lower-key mood about it.
Gentle
Nice background music
love it!
Very chill to listen to at night while working on art!
Never listened to this in full prior to today. A really good album that I will definitely revisit.
Beck’s voice seems to be part of the fabric of a lot of music I’ve enjoyed from the mid 90s through to now, whether that be his own stuff or guest vocals...and yet I’ve never listened to a full album of his. Enjoyed this...good music to listen to over dinner. Reminiscent of Nick Drake, The Beatles (sorry Ash), Pink Floyd and even Zero 7 in places. Solid album which I’ve added to my Spotify.
Od takiej strony jeszcze nie znalem Becka, bo sluchalem jedynie 2 pierwszych albumikow, ktore wydostaly sie z podziemia, wiec mellow gold i odelay, bo wczesniej chyba nagral 3 inne, ktore jednak nie sa zbyt szeroko dostepne, wiec Beck kojarzyl mi sie zawsze z indyjskim rockiem, ostrymi gitarkami elektrykami, liryka buntowniczej punkowosci i dziwnosci, a na tym albumie pokazal sie z calkiem innej strony, wiekszosc kawalkow to kompozycje napisane w oparciu o akustyka, nie ma tutaj energii ktora byla w wielu miejsach wrecz szoutowana zamiast spiewana, jej miejsce zajely szepty na iscie donowanowych hipnotycznych melodiach, lirycznie jest to material ala blonde on blonde, czyli opowiesc o rozpadzie zwiazku, jest to motyw przewodni calej plyty, wiec mocno gloomerowe viby, osamotnienie alienacja, caly ten jam, o wiele lepszy poziom instrumentalny niz na poprzednich albumikach, zwazajac na to, ze sam Beck opierdziela 6 instrumentow na albumie, to jeszcze 10 osobowa ekipa grajkow studyjnych zostala zebrana i efektem jest krispowy brzmiacy wysoce estetyczny smutek w formie zapisanej w formie dzwiekowej, po tym przesluchu mam uczucie jakbym odkryl artyste na nowo, wiec bedzie czeba dac szanse rowniez innym albumikom jesli bedzie czas i okazja, na plejke wrzucam paper tigera, already dead i end of the day
Beautiful album.
Nach wilden Jahren juveniler cut up / hiphop Collagen mit viel Indie Charme und nerdy Ekklektizismus waren mir Beck‘s nachdenkliche „Larvenstadium“-Alben die liebsten. Ehe der schrill-funkige Weird-Pop der „Midnight Vultures“ sein neon-bunten Schmetterlingsflügel ausbreiten konnte, brauchte es „Mutations“. Nach schmerzhafter Trennung von seiner langjährigen Freundin/Verlobten war ein Bedürfnis nach erneuter Introspektion, Bestandsaufnahme und Veränderung groß. „Sea Change“ war diese 2. Verpuppung, und strahlt dabei die weltenflüchtige Wärme eines Songwriter Albums der Siebziger aus; dezenter Elektronik-Flitter setzt leichte Akzente und hilft ein Gegengewicht zu halten zur meist nachvollziehbar melancholischen und dunkel orchestraler Grundstimmung. Es klingt so vertraut und wächst noch ein Stückchen über sich hinaus; dies wäre auch heute noch eine bemerkenswerte Neuerscheinung. Lobende 3.9
Muss erstmal rausfinden wer die Arrangements geschrieben hat - und wer ihm DAS angetan hat, was er da auf Albumlänge verarbeitet. Meine Güte, diese Opulenz! Dieses Schwelgen in Schwermut! Und dann auch wieder diese Kargheit und Reduktion, bei den Lyrics und selbst beim Orchester - denn hier ist ja kein Streicher und keine Slidegitarre zu viel eingesetzt. Huh, und bei Round The Bend weiß man gar nicht wohin mit sich, vor lauter Grim und Frost und Wärme und Panik und Lethargie, und die Sunday Sun schien auch schon mal freundlicher ... War dieser offenbar große Sea Change der Grund für Kurs auf den sicheren Hafen Scientology? Ich weiß es nicht (würde zeitlich aber passen). Was ich aber jetzt weiß: wie sich Umbruch im Hause Hansen anhört. Volle 4,4 dafür.
Highlights: The Golden Age, Paper Tiger, Little One This is a strong, but uncharacteristic offering from Beck, which normally you'd expect genre-stretching folk rock; Sea Change is a little more relaxed, letting Mr. Hanson stretch his legs a bit and dwell a little bit more on the details. Sandwiched between 1999's vivacious Midnight Vultures and the hand-bangin' Guero of 2005, 2002's Sea Change is a brisk 180° change in both directions...It's calm and melancholy, possibly because this was a fresh post-911 world. If Beck's mood swings make your head spin, buckle up, baby, you're gunna get plenty dizzy, because Beck is one of the most versatile musicians alive, and isn't afraid to take on new challenges.
Tasteful palette
Sea Change is not just a record, it's a mood. Which makes it a great album to throw on and listen to in whole.
Could tell Beck had been going through some tough times even if I hadn't read that beforehand. Good, atmospheric stuff. 7/10
false
I was not familiar with these songs from him, but I really enjoyed them!
This is really good. I was only familiar with Beck songs that are fairly popular, but haven't listened to any of his albums all the way through. Really mellow and thoughtful. 4 stars.
Needs another listen. Very cool though
I purchased the CD when it came out and was disappointed at how chill it was. I can appreciate it a lot more now but I think Beck is better when he is more funky
Sadboi Beck. Def solid songs. A changeup from the Beck I'm used to. Never knew why I never touched down on this record; I own Odelay, Guero, Modern Guilt, and Mellow Gold
muito bom mas deprimente
Easily my favorite Beck album
Honestly, this warrants another listen as well. Beck is typically pretty nuanced, and maybe I just have to be in the right emotional state to have it hit real good. I wasn't this time, but I think I'd like to be.
quite nice really
mmmm ambience
Considering the motivation of this album... nice chill listen. I should really consider listening more of Beck
Really well made album, it sounds great, but it's not what I go to Beck for.
I definitely prefer eclectic genre-shuffling upbeat Beck (Odelay, Guero) to Sadboi Breakup Beck (Sea Change) but this is still really darn good!
I like Beck for no reason I can actually identify. This album had a couple of tunes on it that I really like, and I didn't dislike any of them. Somehow, I think that makes it a 4 star effort?
Beck is not a loser, baby. I like the dark acoustic landscapes a lot.
Very emotional album. I’ve always really enjoyed it and I think it’s great 8,5/10
Own. Fave song “Lost Cause”. Kind of a classic. Kind of falls of 2nd half.
Sad space music. Isolating, cold, like having your face against a cold window. The window consistently catching your breath. Its well and snow comfy
prefer his other work but Sea Change still a classic.
Beck traded in his two turntables and a microphone for an acoustic guitar and an atmospheric sound, and it works. Melancholy was in in 2002, and this is among the best that era has to offer. Best track: Round the Bend
a little monotone but really good! I'll listen to this again, definitely
Overall Rating - 3.25/5 (6.50/10). Early 2000s melancholy navel-gazing, but done well.
another vry generous 3. tracks 8 & 10 were a nice surprise. otherwise flat and uninspired .
Chilled depressed out break up album.
Sea Change is perhaps less smart and witty than Beck's previous albums, but it is heartfelt and stirring.
Trippy, virkelig gode sange til akustisk guitar. Vil gerne lære et par af dem når jeg bliver bedre
The production and mixing are impressive, it really sounds amazing. Unfortunately I find it a bit boring. I much prefer fun Beck.
Straight up meh. There's better Beck albums. Not sure why this one is necessary. It's Beck in his Nick Drake phase. Which in itself isn't bad. The results though are just... Meh.
Not bad, not something I’d really come back to
5/10
I don't have much use for ironic, hippity hip hop Beck. I just think the scattershot, Americana thing has been done better other places. Good for a single's worth of time (guess which single) but not something I'd throw on regularly. With that said, sad-sack chamber pop Beck surprised me. The guy has never struggled in the hook department, and I think that stripping back the 90s cynicism and letting his emotions eek out was a great call. 52 minutes worth of a great call is a hard sell, but I'm probably just being a curmudgeon because this site generated two Beck albums back to back for me. (Beck burn-out? Beck-out?)
Really just okay. Nothing bad to say about it, nothing much to praise either.
The weakness is that all the songs are pretty similar, all morose. The strength is the slide guitars, strings, and other instrumentation, plus the echo effects. They make a beautiful soundscape. It's reminiscent of the American Southwest. I think my favorite songs are "Guess I'm Doing Fine" and "Round the Bend." I also like the lyrics of "Already Dead"
A good Beck album; he's not my favorite artist, but I always appreciate his craft. His discography is varied and his song writing and music making skills are wonderful.
oh no beck is sad! anyway
The only beck album I owned back in the day was odelay. This one is pretty chill. Not my style but I wouldn't turn it off.
Not my thing — I get why people love him but it ends up fading into background for me.
"Paper Tiger" is the standout. Other than that, this is too sad and sleepy for me
A lush album. I haven't interacted with any Beck outside of radio hits. This was a surprise. I like the meager lyrics.. not descriptive really, just longing. The production and orchestration is what is pulling me in.. slight use of electronics (you can hear a lot of Air in here, I think). Fascinating use of synths, guitar, and strings. And, slide guitar.. haunting. I found all this arresting. I didn't care for Beck's vocal delivery. It just isn't for me, particularly when he is being emotive. But, I can hear how great this album is. A singular artistic piece from an artist with a strong vision. "Lost Cause" is a standout to me. A beautiful song, with appropriate vocal delivery from Beck. I like "Round The Bend" as well. Sparse AND lush. I love Nigel Godrich's production more than the material I think. It looks like it played on the album, too. 3 stars because of that. I'd rate it 3.5 if that was an option. After this album, I put on Air's Talkie Walkie.
Svårt att säga om det är bättre. Eller om jag bara föredrar typen av musik. Det är iaf bättre enligt mig! Det här skulle jag nog kunna lyssna på igen. Speciellt om man var på väldigt ledset humör.
beck deppig
Liked, not loved. Again, long time beck listener, and this was all new to me. Definitely not as experimental as some of his other stuff. Overall I like the moodiness of this album, but it kind of causes a monochromatic effect — it all runs together.
cool pop
Fine
This isn't the most exciting album. It isn't bad, but I'm still not sure I understand the hype surrounding Beck.
I don't know man, I feel this is a bit of a reach. First class talent, no doubt. I do not think this album cracks the top half of this man's output. Bit of a downer.
Chill album with some pretty melodies, an easy listen, but nothing really jumped out and caught me.
6.22.26 Certainly not the vibe I was expecting from my (admittedly limited) knowledge of other Beck songs/albums. The slower, more somber sound is certainly what I appreciate most about this album, but it also is what makes this less of my preferred vibe. While some of the songs blend together a bit, I still enjoyed this one (the highs are high!), though I prefer Beck's other work. Favorite Song: Little One Rating: 3.5/5
Some good songs, some ok songs.
i thought this was surprisingly meh considering i had absolutely loved another one of his albums (guero) when this website suggested it a few weeks ago
Beck again... making an album that becomes such a bland collection of songs that, at some point, becomes pretty uninteresting. I've liked some ideas in here, but the delivery is not impressive at all, and, even though there are some beautiful moments, those are so ethereal that, in the overall of the album, become completely insignificant and forgettable. So, I've liked certain parts, but it's an album that is very superfluous.
To be honest, I had my expectations too high up for the album. It has good songs, but I don't think I would listen to it again, I was thinking about putting 4 starts but then changed it last minute
3.5
Apart from Lost Cause, it’s, err, a lost cause
Decent 3,5
It was good. That’s all I pretty much have to say. Most of the songs feel very similar though and I def need to relisten cause I think I will appreciate it more on a 2nd listen.
This reminds me of a sad country album that really resonates at certain parts of your life. The songs are good, they're just rather specific to heartache and healing and introspection and I'm not in that... or something. I really "get" the lyrics. They're super personal and very sincere. This is the kind of record people who love sad songs LOVE. I know people like that and they're all Beck fans.
Relaxing, well written with strong compositions. A bit maudlin.
you know, I don’t love this and I generally don’t care for Beck (at all) but I still found this kind of charming. Something about capturing a particular point in time, and an unpleasant one, in a way so far removed from his usual music style humanized the guy for me. Probably wouldn’t listen to it again, still not a Beck fan, but a pleasant surprise this morning
Very much giving Erased Tapes and I’m here for it.
It was more mellow music but it wasn't terrible- a lot of the songs I loved it's just not my style
Probably the best Beck album out of the three I've listened to so far. Might be worth revisiting in a less busy time in my life.
Probably the best Beck album I've heard. The soundscapes are good. Beck himself is at his best when he's sounding like a Nick Drake tribute act (make of that what you will)
It’s fine. There’s a lot of Beck albums on here though and I think it’s overkill. We get itttttt
There’s a curious problem with this album. It is very obviously good. The songs are well written. The performances are excellent. Nigel Godrich’s production is meticulous without becoming sterile. David Campbell’s string arrangements do an enormous amount of narrative work. Every decision feels considered. Every sound appears to have been placed with care. And yet, after fifty-two minutes, I found myself admiring it more than loving it. Part of that may be Beck himself. For an album born from the collapse of a long relationship, it is remarkably short on accusation and surprisingly reluctant to tell a story. Instead it deals in atmosphere, perception and aftermath. Roads disappear. Diamonds fracture. Sleep becomes respite. People push against themselves. The songs circle around emotional states rather than pinning them down. Sometimes this is powerful. The opener hangs in the air like a ghost inhabiting its own life. Elsewhere the strings become increasingly austere and dissonant, carrying tensions that the vocal refuses to dramatise. One song ends like a CRT screen collapsing to a point. Another spirals into something resembling an anxiety loop. Throughout, there is a recurring sense of damaged transmission: signals exist, but connections fail. What fascinated me most, though, was Godrich. By the end I became increasingly aware of his fingerprints. Descending ostinatos. Harmonic drift. Frayed endings. Songs that refuse to resolve cleanly. A nagging sense of forward motion without arrival. Sometimes it is exactly what the material needs. At other moments I found myself hearing the producer’s habits as much as Beck’s songs. Perhaps that is why the album never fully landed for me. The emotional weather is vivid, but the human drama often remains obscured inside it. Compare it with the very greatest breakup records and you notice the difference. They populate their worlds with people. This album often populates its world with conditions. That sounds harsher than I intend it to. There is much to admire here. More than once I found myself stopping to appreciate a line, a texture, a string figure or a production choice. The album rewards attention. It rewards careful listening. It rewards thought. But admiration and attachment are not quite the same thing. In the end, I came away with enormous respect for what Beck and his collaborators achieved. I can hear why it matters to so many people. I can hear why it is often spoken of with reverence. I just never quite found the road that led me all the way in.
Boring, beautiful production but boring
When first hearing it I liked it but it grew on me even more after playing it a lot.
a little too slow for me but some good cinematic songs. favourite: end of the day - i like how it sounds like a broken ice cream truck
Little sleepy beck for me. not my fav
184. better than his other ones
Sea Change has always been hailed as one of Beck's best albums, and whilst I don't disagree that it's certainly one of his most consistent - and most emotionally affecting - it is something of an outlier during the peak of his career. Personally I find myself a bit cooler on it these days. I sort of wish he was still able to find a bit of space for his more eccentric music stylings as I do think this becomes a little one note towards the end. But despite that it remains a very accomplished record if not one of his best for me.