• Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Mar 29, 2005
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 159 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 2 out of 159

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  1. Andy
    Aug 20, 2006
    5
    The most disappointing Beck album yet.
  2. nashaq
    Feb 4, 2009
    4
    No way as good as Sea Change. Three good songs and the rest some awful hip pop.
  3. VenusS
    Jun 21, 2005
    5
    It was just Okay for me dog! A little pitchy in the beginning songs, but you pulled it out at the end, dog. Seriously though, it pains me to say that this album is OK. Its not going to set the world on fire like Sea Change, but can Beck really do anything bad?
  4. JasonK
    Mar 29, 2005
    6
    Not his best, feels like he's running out of ideas because 1) he retreats back to proven formulas and 2) most of these songs get too repetitive real quick with some getting real tedious. "Hell Yes" is MUCH better as the remix on iTunes (where it's called "Ghettochip Malfunction") - so much that I wished the whole album was remixed. "Scarecrow" is also a strong cut. "E-Pro" and Not his best, feels like he's running out of ideas because 1) he retreats back to proven formulas and 2) most of these songs get too repetitive real quick with some getting real tedious. "Hell Yes" is MUCH better as the remix on iTunes (where it's called "Ghettochip Malfunction") - so much that I wished the whole album was remixed. "Scarecrow" is also a strong cut. "E-Pro" and "Girl" are kind of catchy but a little lightweight. Expand
  5. JeffE
    Apr 18, 2005
    5
    A sad effort from a once prolific songwriter. A few nice parts scattered around but the majority of it sounds like a train wreck of Odelay/Midnight Vultures b-sides mixed with an assortment of tame borderline adult contemporary waste. Growing up is hard to do.
  6. AlexK
    Apr 25, 2005
    4
    Considered what a great artist Beck once was, the lack of originality makes this album just an experience of disappointment.
  7. JamesT.
    Mar 28, 2005
    5
    The least relevant disc Beck has ever made - rather than pick a style to work with per usual (disco/funk, nick drake-isms), he seems totally clueless, opting for Odelay-like grooves, but without that albums sense of freedom and imagination. Many of the songs use "na" or "hey" or "yeah" or the title repeated over and over again for their choruses - often warning signs of an uninspired pop The least relevant disc Beck has ever made - rather than pick a style to work with per usual (disco/funk, nick drake-isms), he seems totally clueless, opting for Odelay-like grooves, but without that albums sense of freedom and imagination. Many of the songs use "na" or "hey" or "yeah" or the title repeated over and over again for their choruses - often warning signs of an uninspired pop artist. The melodies are also unusally samey, and often ugly, and even the album art shows no sense of purpose or direction. The album isn't "bad," as there are wonderful moments and a few decent tracks, but mostly it's totally mediocre and unmemorable. I'm an enormous fan of Odelay, Mutations, and Vultures; with the dull Sea Change and now this, which is even more disturbing because he's actually trying to sound fun, my fandom teeters on the verge of snuffing out. Collapse
  8. BryanC
    May 23, 2005
    6
    Those long awaiting a return to the loose hipfunk Odelay daze (subsequently put-off by a countrified "Mutations", sleazy Prince parodying in "Midnight Vultures" or his melancholy "Sea Change") will be very pleased - those avidly following Beck's fascinating career trajectory expecting the unexpected will surely be disappointed. Beck has been one of the most interesting contemporary Those long awaiting a return to the loose hipfunk Odelay daze (subsequently put-off by a countrified "Mutations", sleazy Prince parodying in "Midnight Vultures" or his melancholy "Sea Change") will be very pleased - those avidly following Beck's fascinating career trajectory expecting the unexpected will surely be disappointed. Beck has been one of the most interesting contemporary music acts of recent years - each album effortlessly jumping into a different style and mood - but always underpinned by a brilliant knack for penning quality tunes (a true potential successor to an earlier Bowie perhaps?) . Beck has grown up, honed his craft and tempered his excesses - which means more consistency but ironically less interesting results. The groove is here but the vibe seems more at home in the 90s and the album simply runs out of juice towards the end. Still there are just enough great tunes for fans to enjoy - just surprise us with a new flavour or more passion next time please Mr Hanson! Expand
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 39
  2. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. The New York Times
    80
    Where his previous albums have seesawed between comedy and despair, "Guero" comes closer than ever to merging them. [21 Mar 2005]
  2. While it lacks the churn or drama of his earlier work or the dour intensity of Sea Change, it’s an album remarkable in its consistent, pleasant above-averageness, punctuated by bursts of true genius.
  3. Too often tracks drag us down below the high standard an artist like Beck Hanson has set himself. Red Hot Chili Peppers outtakes with some harmonica and vocoder balanced incongruously on top are frankly not good enough.