This LP, Beck's 10th, marks the end of his major-label record contract. So richly scented is producer Danger Mouse's take on late 1960s/early 70s psychedelic rock - a genre done to death, if not beyond - that you begin to wonder if Beck is flagging up the end of music itself. Modern Guilt feels like a vanity project: there is no attempt to reach out, none of the classic pop singles Beck has been revered for, just 10 inward-looking, unlovable tracks. Orphans is a clever rewrite of Free's Wishing Well, and Chemtrails is muzzy shoegazing. Perhaps this is a good time to say goodbye.
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Rob Fitzpatrick
Rob Fitzpatrick writes about music, television, books and films. He's a contributing editor at the Word and writes for the Guardian, the Sunday Times and Private Eye
Rob Fitzpatrick
The GuardianTramp
