Beck - The Information
List Price:
Our Price: $10.63
You Save: $7.36 (41%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.95 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: BeckEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-10-03
Music Label: Interscope Records
Soundtracks:
- Elevator Music
- Think I'm In Love
- Cellphone's Dead
- Strange Apparition
- Soldier Jane
- Nausea
- New Round
- Dark Star
- We Dance Alone
- No Complaints
- 1000 BPM
- Motorcade
- The Information
- Movie Theme
- The Horrible Fanfare/Landslide Exoskeleton
Music reviews of The Information
Music Review: The future of music shines brightly via Beck
Rating: 4 Stars
Beck's 2005 venture GUERO proved to be a so penned "return to form" for Beck, at least where the closest sounding-album to Beck's bestselling breakthrough, album of the year nominated ODELAY was concerned. GUERO was indeed well received garnering Beck an amazing first week of 162,000 and a very spectacular #2 bow. GUERO went on to sell over 800,000 copies and while it wasn't certified platinum, it is Beck's bestselling next to the double-platinum ODELAY. If GUERO was a so penned "return to form" for Beck (not looking down on any of Beck's releases as they are all exceptional), then THE INFORMATION is a more creative, experimental extension of that. Perhaps the best way to categorize THE INFORMATION is that it is a "greatest hits" of all of Beck's best strategies; it is the complete Beck in one album. Unfortunately, sales were dismal of THE INFORMATION, though it did manage a first week #7 bow with 99,000 (off 63,000 from GUERO). Despite dismal sales, the quality of THE INFORMATION is certainly top rate, as all Beck albums tend to be.
"Elevator Music" proves to be an exceptional opener to THE INFORMATION. While the drums don't have the exact same hip-hop feel as "E-Pro", there is definitely a killer groove there that makes you bob your head. "Elevator Music" definitely is a mix between folk-rock with a semi-hip-hop/rock beat providing the rhythmic feel. As awkward as Beck's MC skills may seem, there is something certainly endearing about him as an MC-- or maybe it's just that "Elevator Music" just feels "in the pocket".
"Think I'm In Love" is this album's "Girl" because it has the same kind of folk, indie-rock/pop feel. This track feels like it belongs in the psychedelic rock of the 1960s. Again, Beck outdoes himself and makes the first track "Elevator Music" completely seperate and different then "Think I'm In Love". "Cellphone's Dead" is a definite show stealer on THE INFORMATION, especially with its sampling of Herbie Hancock's fusion classic "Chameleon". I love the way that the introduction of the song, which reappears throughout, throws you off from the main music material within the song. Also, the lady's vocal performance definitely gets stuck in your head as she sings "one by one I'll knock you out". The production is among the best that I've heard on any Beck song and proves true that THE INFORMATION is a definite production showcase if nothing else. However, Mr. Hanson sounds as good doing the MC thing or singing as he ever has nearing 40 years old. Forget the "aging hipster" thing, he's as relevant as ever if not moreso.
"Strange Apparition" resurrects a folk-rock feel once again with Beck playing into that feel to a "tee". The piano within the production is perfect coupled with the acoustic guitars to execute this feel. Also, Beck is into throwing "curve balls" as toward the end of "Strange Apparition" the feel completely changes. Who said music can't be unpredictable? "Soldier Jane" isn't as stunning as the preceeding tracks, but it is solid nonetheless, though not a show stealer by any means. The interspersed synth lines within "Soldier Jane" do a good job contrasting the dryer-indie feel of the track making for yet another artistic Beck statement. "Nausea" resurrects some of the feel of "E-Pro", only without the Dust Brothers beat. There is a busy groover underlying "Nausea" making for a very "exotic" listen. The chorus of "Nausea" is certainly catchy and the guitars coupled with all the synthesizer lines and etc.. make "Nausea" the incredibly fun, though brief track that it is.
"New Round" and "Dark Star" both serve up more innovative production work, and again Beck performs fine over the material. Unfortunately, like some of the rest of THE INFORMATION, some of the material does feel a bit droll compared to the "top-rate" material. While "Dark Star" is no "Cellphone is Dead" and the songwriting doesn't quite compare, the production slaughters and the harmonica solo and the synth strings come out of nowhere, hence confirming how great a musician Beck is. "We Dance Alone" picks up the momentum with its electro-centric production and Beck once again putting his MC skills to work. The drum programming and the DJ scratches here are great; I'd even venture to say that some rappers wish they had some "hot beats" like these to rap over.
While "No Complaints" doesn't quite possess the freshness as some of the best tracks, but the rhythmic feel and the overall simplicity of the groove is great. Beck sounds strong here and if for nothing else, you can't help but hit the repeat button on your CD player/iTunes library just to hear all the different sounds/synths Beck incorporates here. "1000 BPM" is definitely a production standout, and certain the "out of the box" production of THE INFORMATION. It is among the most innovative thing that I've heard in all music, of any genre for a while. It is tracks and music like "1000 BPM" that make me hope that music truly does have a new direction or a new level to ascend to as opposed to staying at the same place always. Beck's almost "off-beat" vocals work very effectively here.
"Motorcade" and "The Information" prove to be too dense, as some of the material on THE INFORMATION is. Again, THE INFORMATION is a great album, but at times you do question if Beck indulges a bit much making THE INFORMATION slightly less accesible than Beck's other albums. Worth noting is THE INFORMATION is much more "brainy" than GUERO in my opinion, which is both a blessing and in the slightest sense a curse, at least where commercial sales are concerned. "Movie Theme" proves to have this same indulgence, but the production is definitely ear-catching from the minute that you hear it and Beck's undertone folksy vocals are very much desired. "The Horrible Fanfare/Landslide/Exoskeleton" proves to be yet another production standout with all its intricacies intertwining together. Again, maybe it is a bit much, even if you recognized the masterpiece that it is, but it is a fine enough way to end an overall masterpiece album.
While generally speaking, THE INFORMATION got positive reviews, there were also an assortment of mixed or unfavorable reviews by some critics. That notion isn't so far fetched because in some respects the great breadth and depth of THE INFORMATION makes it in some instances a bit inaccesible, at least from one non-analytical listen. There are many discs like that, one being 2006's Tool release 10,000 DAYS, an album with a number of dense, lengthy numbers that don't endear you until repeated, intensely analytical listens. The same could be said of prog-rockers The Mars Volta, whose recent album (AMPUTECHTURE) like Beck's fell from the top echolon of the charts very quickly. However, in my eyes, THE INFORMATION was easily one of 2006 best albums as well as one of '06's most underrated and unappreciated albums as well. Perhaps another gold plaque may eventually grace Beck with THE INFORMATION as it is deserving of much great accolades than that. 4 stars.
Description of The Information
Hailed as "a deeply natural songwriter" (THE NEW YORKER) who "defies expectations in his own way" (TIME) and "Gen X's most famous absurdist" (BLENDER), BECK is the single most inventive and eclectic figure to emerge from the '90s alternative revolution. In an era obsessed with junk culture, Beck seamlessly blends pop, folk, hiphop, indie/underground and electronica with the end result being an authentically uncategorizeable musical style that nevertheless has sold millions of records and scored multiple Grammy awards.Three years in the making, THE INFORMATION is the album Beck began work on in 2003 with producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead's OK Computer, Kid A; Beck's Sea Change, Mutations) and finally completed this year once Guero's massive success and encore touring engagements, as well as Nigel's other commitments, were fulfilled.
THE INFORMATION is comprised of 15 songs and a DVD featuring homemade videos for each of the 15 songs shot in-studio during the actual sessions. The artwork for The Information is either non-existent or infinite, depending on one's point of view. Each copy will come in a blank package with one of four collectible sticker sheets specially designed by European and American artists and representative of the unique Beck aesthetic. The stickers will give every Beck fan the opportunity to participate in the creative process by designing his or her own one of a kind CD cover.
On The Information, Beck Hansen is seriously bummed out. Not that he sounds it as much as he did on 2002's laconic, Fred Neil-worshipping Sea Change. Technology and stuff, and the way it gets in the way of human interaction, is the subtext if not the full-on concept at play here. Recorded with art-rock anal-retentive Nigel Goodrich at the helm, work began on this album not long after Sea Change but was shelved for a few years while Mr. Hansen made 2005's Guero with the Dust Brothers. Unsurprisingly, it sounds a bit like both of those. The trappings of minimalist pop, fuzzy folk, click-hop, hip-hop, baroque psychedelia, and funky pop are to be found on this endearing release. Like Jean Cocteau or David Bowie, Beck is an artistic chameleon whose greatest gift is knowing which artists to borrow from, and when. The cover artwork consists of stickers that you can arrange however you like, which perhaps appeals too much to your own nostalgic/retro, "Trapper Keeper" sensibilities. And yet, it's kind of awesome, something you can't believe has never been done before. Much like the album it adorns. --Mike McGonigal
Alternative Rock CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Alternative Rock CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $149.98
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $99.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $202.44
Similar CDs
Beck - One Foot in the Grave (Aniv)Release date: 2009-04-14; Music CD
Best price: $10.54
Price in other shops:
![Guerolito [Vinyl] Image](/images/Guerolito-Vinyl-B000BYKAY6-X.jpg)
Beck - Guerolito [Vinyl]Release date: 2005-12-13; Music CD
Best price: $13.37
Price in other shops:
Beck - Stereopathic SoulmanureRelease date: 1994-03-24; Music CD
Best price: $21.99
Beck - MutationsRelease date: 1998-11-03; Music CD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops:
Beck - Sea ChangeRelease date: 2002-09-24; Music CD
Best price: $7.20
Price in other shops:
Beck - Modern GuiltRelease date: 2008-07-08; Music CD
Best price: $4.43
Price in other shops:
Beck - Mellow GoldRelease date: 1994-03-01; Music CD
Best price: $6.14
Price in other shops:
Beck - Midnite VulturesRelease date: 1999-11-23; Music CD
Best price: $5.92
Price in other shops:
Beck - OdelayRelease date: 1996-06-18; Music CD
Best price: $5.34
Price in other shops:
Beck - GueroRelease date: 2005-03-29; Music CD
Best price: $7.50
Price in other shops: