Beck seems to be one of those artists who sold quite big at the time, but for whom people haven't maintained that affection, hence the frequent appearance of his CDs for a quid in the charity shop, which is where I recently bought this. I seem to remember hearing it at the time, and not being as impressed as I had been with earlier stuff.
It's much more laid back, and at times maudlin than Beck's previous work, which is fine, where the songs stand up. Opener Golden Age is one which does, slow, sad with a country tinge, while the string breaks on Paper Tiger keep it interesting, and Guess I'm Doing Fine feels sad and soulful. But after a few, they all seem to merge into one. I've not come across any bad tracks, indeed all have something to recommend them. Lost Cause is an example of a more upbeat arrangement although the unrelenting lyrical gloom continues. Little One is a dark lullaby, while Side Of The Road ends the album slowly and sadly.
And in the end, it's that mood that drags this album down, without any of the songs being bad. It's an album which feels less than the sum of its parts,
2* - just too much which feels the same and too little light for me to enjoy this album
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