Sea Change
by Beck
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Sep 24, 2002
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 176 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 158 out of 176
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 176
  3. Negative: 10 out of 176

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  1. j30
    Aug 11, 2011
    10
    This is Beck's best work since Odelay. The lyrics and the whole atmosphere of the album is kind of a "Debbie Downer", but in a good way. This is the kind of album you listen to on a rainy day or when your heart get's ripped out. This album is on par with Elliot Smith's Either/Or and Nick Drake's Pink Moon
  2. Teeja
    Aug 18, 2005
    10
    A beautiful deeply moving album.
  3. WesF.
    Jun 15, 2007
    10
    Was not a huge fan of Beck until I heard this record on a long trip with my brother. Sea Change is simply one of my favorite albums of all time, and I still listen to it 5 years later.
  4. AGoije
    Sep 26, 2002
    10
    Beck has once again proved that he is a genius.
  5. JimP
    Dec 28, 2002
    9
    The more you listen to it, the more you like it. It's not an easy one. But in the end, it's his best album.
  6. Vampire25
    Mar 13, 2012
    9
    It took me the longest time to fully appreciate this album. This is Beck's most mature album to date. "The Golden Age" is a perfect opening track. All In All, might not be Beck's best work to date, but it's certainly his most mature and one if his best. A-
  7. [Anonymous]
    Sep 19, 2002
    4
    Beck has become whom he once taunted. Far too sombre and emotional.
  8. MK
    Oct 25, 2002
    2
    Yikes, where is Beck going with this garbage? He sings like a sick David Bowie, the lyrics are inane, and there's nothing interesting musically. Beck has changed from a trail-blazer into a generic corporate record-seller, whining his way up the charts. Play this album on low volume on a rainy day, or just return it where u bought it. good grief.
  9. Wolfmother
    Oct 3, 2010
    10
    This album rules, I would recommend Paper tiger and little one. Beck is so underated. I mean every song made my pants tight. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  10. micho224
    Nov 8, 2011
    4
    While I can understand while people may like this, I myself am not a fan of the quiet and introverted side of Beck. Sea Change just doesn't do anything for me. I miss the funky and energetic style of Midnite Vultures.
  11. CrimsonFlush
    Aug 25, 2016
    10
    Becks' ode to heartbreak and melancholy a beautifully haunting and depressing mix. Beck's breakup depression was the world's gain. Top 5 breakup album ever.
  12. christophern
    Oct 8, 2002
    7
    Not great, not terrible.
  13. ClarkH.
    Sep 30, 2002
    9
    with a few more listens, this jewel may climb into my "10" category reserved only for a handful of albums. if you like nick drake, gram parsons, air or "blow you away" melancholy twang, you better drop what you are doing and buy it. beck needs to lose another girlfriend because he was inspired on this one.
  14. TravisC
    Nov 1, 2002
    9
    The most refreshing album of 2002 so far. Amid the endless racket and cranked up amps comes forth and album focusing on craftsmanship, melody and beauty. I always thought Mutations was Beck's best work by far, so I'm glad to see him revisit the mood and sound of that album and expand on it further. Not the feel good album of the year as far as content, but the one of the most The most refreshing album of 2002 so far. Amid the endless racket and cranked up amps comes forth and album focusing on craftsmanship, melody and beauty. I always thought Mutations was Beck's best work by far, so I'm glad to see him revisit the mood and sound of that album and expand on it further. Not the feel good album of the year as far as content, but the one of the most uplifting albums as far as the current state of music is concerned.… Expand
  15. MichaelE
    Oct 7, 2002
    8
    Not my favorite aspect of Beck's music, and certainly not his best record, but it's convincing and gets better the later at night you play it.
  16. MikeA.
    Sep 23, 2002
    10
    Pure brilliance, Beck has climbed to a new level, in my opinion Sea Change is the best album of the year to date...
  17. Yuval
    Apr 17, 2003
    10
    Superb album, completely connected both musically and spiritually.
  18. WillT
    Feb 24, 2007
    10
    Great album. I was never a big Beck fan but this album won me over.
  19. BobR
    Aug 10, 2007
    10
    This one's a grower... it's great
  20. GeoffH.
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    9/10 average from 97 users says it all to me. This is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Affecting, deep and wonderfully haunting, I wonder what some of the critics were thinking but then I'll never work music critics out. They're from a world so full of their own importance things like love affairs and break ups don't exist.
  21. Bruno
    Jun 27, 2008
    10
    I really loved this album, and its amazing to find that beck produces perfect music in such different ways.
  22. KristineN
    Nov 6, 2002
    10
    Fabulous production that's spare and raw when needed makes this album incredibly hard NOT to listen to - when I heard it was so mellow I thought I might be bored after a number of tunes, but the effect is the polar opposite: spellbinding.
  23. Sam
    Dec 31, 2002
    10
    Beck hurts and portrays it with something we can all enjoy. Unlucky bastard makes us very lucky indeed.
  24. Cartland
    Dec 30, 2002
    10
    This is one of the very best albums I've heard. Hopefully he'll continue making such haunting melodies. I can only compare this to the Beatles' best work. Genius!
  25. bobd
    Dec 6, 2002
    10
    beck confounds and annoys the ordinary listener by being absolutely unconcerned with their expectations. "Sea Change" is sonically breathtaking (play it LOUD!), lyrically labyrinthine (one has to pay attention to parse the actual narratives here), and emotionally searing. Not for the average debased attention span.
  26. HenryA
    Oct 4, 2002
    10
    Sea change is a brilliant 'low' album. Forget springstein, young and etc's 9/11 spam offerings, get this instead. VVoice what were you thinking?
  27. TheresaS
    Oct 6, 2002
    10
    Saw him in concert before the CD even came out and I loved it! Such a personal album, and as he said it's been 7 years in the making. Well worth the wait. I have all his CDs and this one just blows my mind! It's been on repeat for 4 hours now!
  28. AaronL
    Oct 7, 2002
    8
    It's like cracking open Beck's chest, grabbing his barely beating heart, and putting it to your ear for a listen. Beautifully done and fully unexpected. Makes you truly realize that Beck is one of our best musical treasures - and these days they are difficult to come by.
  29. bobj
    Sep 22, 2002
    10
    pretty damn good
  30. BitBurn
    Sep 20, 2002
    8
    Very interesting this album. Musically it's a great record. Beck is still a very impressive and original songwriter.
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Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best Album of 2002
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2002
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Mojo
    90
    Sea Change aches too thoroughly to be mere career shift. It's the kind of album that at times seems too sad for the singer's own good. [Album of the Month, Oct 2002, p.90]
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    One of his finest efforts to date.
    Read full review
  3. E! Online
    100
    Many of these harrowing tunes, like "Lonesome Tears" and "Guess I'm Doing Fine" have the lonely blues feel of Beck's similar-sounding Mutations, and they definitely get better with repeated play.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »