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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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The Information
by Beck
Nigel Godrich produced the latest eclectic release for the prolific Los Angeles-based artist, which is more varied and uptempo than their previous collaborations.
| LABEL: |
Interscope |
| RELEASE DATE: |
03 October 2006 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Alternative, Rock |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
100
Los Angeles Times
This is their third collaboration, but neither the casual, light-bodied "Mutations" nor the intimate "Sea Change" anticipated this kind of flowering. [24 Sep 2006]
91
Entertainment Weekly
It's a sonic tour de force, and Beck seems comfortable in the info-storm.
91
The Onion (A.V. Club)
There's nothing here that Beck hasn't done before, but it sounds unexpected once again.
88
Filter
The Information is a truer return to the Odelay mentality--and surprisingly, the sound as well. [#22, p.92]
83
MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
Unlike "Guero" this one really has some war in it.
83
E! Online
Along the way, it scores a lot of points, thanks to Nigel Godrich's earthy but twisted production.
80
New Musical Express
If Beck gets better as he gets madder, this is definitely his best since 'Midnite Vultures' - maybe even since 'Odelay'.
80
PopMatters
Impeccably sequenced and incessantly engaging.
80
musicOMH.com
Fun, fresh and (mainly) utterly listenable, The Information is the most diverse and, at times, thrilling album you'll hear all year.
80
The New York Times
[A] darkly intelligent album.
80
Dot Music
He's turned his gaze back on himself and created a record that brilliantly summarises and even critiques his own past.
80
Drowned In Sound
Despite the album’s plethora of stylistic shifts and breakdowns, there’s a solid coherency to The Information that allows it to flow from beginning to end without the listener losing interest.
80
Alternative Press
Overall, this collision of dirty loops and polished pop is Information you need. [Dec 2006, p.198]
80
Rolling Stone
One of the best albums Beck has ever made.
80
All Music Guide
If you give it time, The Information eventually reveals itself as Beck's tightest, most purposeful album yet.
70
Slant Magazine
His latest album plays like a subdued collection of greatest hits, dropping in on the sounds and themes of each preceding album with graceful brevity.
70
Spin
It's about three songs too long and a little all over the place. [Nov 2006, p.99]
69
Pitchfork
Although The Information contains some of his most aware, intriguing lyrical head-scratchers yet, the familiar musical settings are something of a letdown from an artist famous for complete reinvention.
67
Stylus Magazine
More than with either Mutations or Sea Change, you can hear Godrich’s rich instrumental layering beneath the rhythms.... Still, at fifteen tracks and over an hour, perhaps Beck needed a stiff editor more than the comfort of a familiar producer.
67
Austin Chronicle
What The Information lacks in Sea Changemanship it makes up for in Midnight Vultures, hats be damned.
66
ShakingThrough.net
What sounded fresh and spontaneous a decade back now seems labored and wearying.
60
Under The Radar
Even though The Information is neither a leap forward or nearly as exceptional as his previous collaborations with Godrich, it does serve as hope that Beck still has some great work ahead of him. [#15]
60
Hartford Courant
Despite his penchant for experimentation, much of his material remains accessible to casual listeners, even when he turns toward the self-indulgent.
60
Playlouder
The Information is as creative, tuneful and interesting as you could wish from an established artist.
60
Mojo
The latter tracks sink into Beck-by-numbers fare. [Nov 2006, p.100]
60
Q Magazine
The Information... is hamstrung by the sensation that, though Beck likes rapping, he has little to say beyond smart-alec one-liners. [Nov 2006, p.138]
60
Uncut
The Information often feels hygienised and missing some grit. [Nov 2006, p.100]
60
NOW Magazine
Without the bizarre lyrical invention and fuck-shit-up whimsy of his earlier work, Beck's attempts at party jams come off woefully overwrought and flat, making the darker bits interspersed throughout seem intriguing by default.
60
The Guardian
However annoying it sounds, give The Information a chance. By the time Horrible Fanfare rolls around, 15 numbers in, you'll be too dazed to resist.
60
Village Voice
Information ultimately suffers from the same hollowness that weakened Guero, but it's bolder at its best and less derivative of previous victories.
60
Urb
[Contains] scattered but affecting shots of brilliance. [Oct 2006, p.117]
60
BBC collective
The bubbly cartoon funk of single Cell Phone's Dead is a winner, but tracks like 1000 BPM and We Dance Alone are mid-paced, cautiously funky numbers with neither the bare sentiment of Sea Change nor the ribald lunacy of Hansen’s late-90s bombs.
56
cokemachineglow
I’m convinced that Beck Hansen has a few more good albums in him. One thing’s for sure, though: The Information isn’t one of them.
50
Prefix Magazine
[The songs] demand reconstruction that can only come from multiple listens. Unfortunately, the initial impact of the record is so muted that only an artist as challenging and road-tested as Beck warrants such effort.
50
Blender
Assured but tame. [Nov 2006, p.139]
40
Billboard
Yet for all the headphone-worthy sounds, the pace seldom rises above a back-porch feel and, at times, the stickers meant for customizing the cover seem like more fun than the music.
The average user rating for this album is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 82 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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