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

Universal acclaim- based on 159 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 159
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 159
  3. Negative: 2 out of 159

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  1. Ricko
    Mar 7, 2022
    7
    For a long time I felt that while parts of this records were brilliant, too much of it sat in a lull. Too many boring tracks that just plod along to rank up with Beck's best work alongside some great singles. As the years pass, what we call the album tracks have grown on me and Beck's experimentation now sounds better when listened to for a distance. The production leaves the album a bitFor a long time I felt that while parts of this records were brilliant, too much of it sat in a lull. Too many boring tracks that just plod along to rank up with Beck's best work alongside some great singles. As the years pass, what we call the album tracks have grown on me and Beck's experimentation now sounds better when listened to for a distance. The production leaves the album a bit on the cold side and the electronics have a "canned" feel but overall there are alot of exciting ideas on show here, some executed better than others.… Expand
  2. thegetaway
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    An incredibly inventive, fun album, where Beck and the Dust Brothers cook up another batch of hot mojo.
  3. Mccusky
    Apr 22, 2020
    9
    Despite Becks success this album is quite underrated, he really mixes up the styles, instruments and tempos with a lot of success. It could have maybe benefitted from being a bit shorter as some of the songs are a bit flat relatively to the others but his quirky songwriting does entertain for the majority, Earthquake Weather being a Beck classic
  4. Felipecritic
    Nov 24, 2017
    8
    Beck transita de um CD bem melancólico para um som mais pesado e animado. Particularmente, prefiro CDs mais animados e esse é um exemplo de CD que gosto
  5. Muddsjr
    Jun 25, 2016
    8
    it's certainly Beck's most accessible album to date, and it is arguably the same formula as of predecessors rearranged and jumbled, but it's no less a fun and groovy ride.
  6. ekolite82
    Jul 10, 2012
    10
    Probably my favorite Beck record. Took a few listens to totally grow on me. I own them all. But this one has such strong production values and strong catchy songs that never get old. I like most of his work. I even put on his Stereopathetic Soul Manure for memory lanes and just to listen to something different. I am a fan. I liked Sea Change, but thought there was several tracksProbably my favorite Beck record. Took a few listens to totally grow on me. I own them all. But this one has such strong production values and strong catchy songs that never get old. I like most of his work. I even put on his Stereopathetic Soul Manure for memory lanes and just to listen to something different. I am a fan. I liked Sea Change, but thought there was several tracks that just don't hold up that well on it. This was like going on a good roller coaster ride after Sea Change. This is a very accomplished album.. some stand out tracks include, "Scarecrow, " "Go it alone," and "Black Tambourine." Some of his finest work is right here on "Guero."… Expand
  7. Vampire25
    Feb 26, 2012
    9
    I've never been a huge fan of Beck until I heard this album. Guero is the perfect blend of funk, folk, rap, and rock he's ever done. Each track is so perfectly produced. Beck's vocals have never been better. All In All, Guero is a near perfect album. A-
  8. j30
    Feb 19, 2012
    8
    Even though Guero is not nearly as good as Odelay, the album feels like a return to form for Beck. Where with his past few albums he has messed around with genres (Midnight Vultures and Sea Change). The music in Guero feels like a fresh start from the heart wrenching Sea Change.
  9. MKCyrax
    Jan 22, 2012
    10
    This album is an all round perfect, except for that anoying Hell Yes track
  10. nashaq
    Feb 4, 2009
    4
    No way as good as Sea Change. Three good songs and the rest some awful hip pop.
  11. RyanR
    Feb 25, 2008
    9
    "Girl" is possibly the best song by Beck, even if the chorus is "cyanide girl". I love "Que Onda Guero" 's street sounds. Interesting note, the songs "Go It Alone" and "Farewell Ride" are written in collaboration with the Beastie Boys.
  12. PatO
    Feb 21, 2008
    10
    Guero is the best album by Beck ever, of 2005 and probably one of the best of this millennium so far.
  13. AdamW
    May 13, 2007
    9
    Guero & The Information sound like 2 halves of one very long double album..Guero is the better half though. Playful and somber at the same time, the majority of Guero sounds like Beck enjoying the up-side of a bout of manic depression.
  14. Andy
    Aug 20, 2006
    5
    The most disappointing Beck album yet.
  15. TomB
    Aug 10, 2006
    10
    back to his very best; from the grin-worthy e-pro to the soulful girl and the yeah yeah yeahs of rental car...a masterpiece.
  16. LuisG
    Jul 5, 2006
    9
    ....back in the groove .....and back on land( from SEA CHNAGE) beck delivers again ala odelay and mutations but with more ambition and less blab....some tracks highlight extraordinare others just bounce off the walls making you hit repeat again and again....too bad the market in inundated with hip-hop crap.....heck even becks plays tribute but with creativity and non abrasive words and ....back in the groove .....and back on land( from SEA CHNAGE) beck delivers again ala odelay and mutations but with more ambition and less blab....some tracks highlight extraordinare others just bounce off the walls making you hit repeat again and again....too bad the market in inundated with hip-hop crap.....heck even becks plays tribute but with creativity and non abrasive words and beats ......WE LOVE BACK HERE !!!… Expand
  17. DamoP
    Mar 9, 2006
    10
    a return to the fun beck? whoever wrote that line must have read the press release instead of listening to the album. a couple of tracks aside (e-pro springs to mind) the similarities between guero and odelay/midnight vultures are purely superficial. The album has the same world weary feel that sea change did, just presented in a different musical setting
  18. carloss
    Jan 23, 2006
    10
    Then again, who doesn't hate Beck?
  19. TravisW
    Jan 17, 2006
    9
    The most solid Beck album yet. "Girl", "Earthquake Weather", and "Rental Car" are reasons enough to buy this album.
  20. marshallm
    Dec 27, 2005
    9
    pretty darn great. rating: 9.1
  21. devint
    Dec 26, 2005
    10
    the best thing since pizza
  22. menman
    Dec 26, 2005
    10
    perfect
  23. RichK
    Dec 16, 2005
    8
    My favorite album from Beck. Great stuff.
  24. markm
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    this album is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. RyanF
    Nov 29, 2005
    10
    Best album i've heard in years and fast becoming my favorite album ever
  26. ReyP
    Nov 4, 2005
    8
    What a triumphant return.
  27. VicenteF
    Aug 16, 2005
    9
    Beck return to the good way, his way..
  28. jacobm
    Jul 26, 2005
    10
    I have never been really into Beck, but I am always on the look out for new good music from ALL different genres and this album put a whole new twist on things for me. I love it, this is great music.
  29. ALANF
    Jul 16, 2005
    8
    This album has cool oozing from every byte. It's got old school style, futuristic glitz but it reflects where popular music is right now. In some ways it'soverall effect is bordering on MOR but there's an art in acheiving that with such a complex mix of sampling and high level musicianship. Latin grooves give it a world music feel and some of it feels close to Ry Cooder This album has cool oozing from every byte. It's got old school style, futuristic glitz but it reflects where popular music is right now. In some ways it'soverall effect is bordering on MOR but there's an art in acheiving that with such a complex mix of sampling and high level musicianship. Latin grooves give it a world music feel and some of it feels close to Ry Cooder with abrasive strings, ghetto talkovers and brilliant production values. At the same time it remains totally Beck in its electronica production values and as a personal statement of what he likes doing - and maybe that's what makes this CD stand out. Some of the tracks eg Black Tambourine and Que Onda Guero, sound like well recorded jams over a few drinks and are essentially just bloody good rhthymic vibes to get off on. The overall rugged effect belies the production sophistication and the close listener can spin out on the thoughtful nuances in the latinate rhythms and percussive details that drive it on. But it's not the detail that makes this CD a success; it's the boldness. It's the overdriven grunge in the distorted riff of the opening track; the cool in the overlayered backing haromonies when cool is needed, and it's the feeling that each of these little pop statements just does what it sets out to do - happily entertain the listener for a few minutes. What elevates it is that, unlike so many contemporary albums, this one doesn't only make you want to stay in the party, it makes you want to party on - so don't be surprised to find yourself having just as much fun with this CD in the car on the way home from the party it was being played at.… Expand
  30. chrisf
    Jul 14, 2005
    7
    A very varied album... very much a fusion of Odelay, Sea change and Midnight vultures all in one album. There is fun in this album, Odelay and Mellow Gold still are the best..
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Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Most Discussed Album of 2005
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 39
  3. 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. Paste Magazine
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Playlouder
    50
    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.
    Read full review
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