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Sea Change
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Sea Change Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 176 Ratings

  • Summary: Which Beck is it? The party-loving Beck of 'Odelay' and 'Midnite Vultures,' or the more serious, singer-songwriter Beck of 'Mutations.' On this latest release, it is the latter, as Beck reunites with Mutations' producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) for a set of darker, atmospheric, moreWhich Beck is it? The party-loving Beck of 'Odelay' and 'Midnite Vultures,' or the more serious, singer-songwriter Beck of 'Mutations.' On this latest release, it is the latter, as Beck reunites with Mutations' producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) for a set of darker, atmospheric, more acoustically-oriented tracks.… Expand

Top Track

Lost Cause
Your sorry eyes, they cut through bone. They make it hard to leave you alone. Leave you here wearing your wounds Waving your guns at somebody... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. 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.
  2. Spin
    90
    A supremely dainty-assed achievement that jerks real tears. [Oct 2002, p.111]
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  3. Billboard
    90
    Beck has rarely performed with such maturity and confidence, breathing a rich, often haunting baritone into songs that seem to follow a plotline thread of despair after the end of a relationship.
  4. CultureDose.net
    80
    Sea Change is different (and, in a way, less interesting) than everything Beck has previously done, but he has a rare gift that he shares with precious few artists, Prince and Bob Dylan amongst them: no matter what he does, Beck will always be interesting.
  5. Blender
    80
    A great record to play at 3 A.M. [#10, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Splendid
    80
    Its startling brand of dreamlike space-folk, while reminiscent of earlier efforts like Stereopathic Soul Manure, is a wholly unique venture.
  7. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    40
    Beck desperately aims for Johnny Cash's funereal blues, but the unremitting bleakness of Sea Change more closely resembles alternative rock's limpid whine.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 59
  3. Negative: 1 out of 59
  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. ThisThis 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… Expand
  2. WillT
    Feb 24, 2007
    10
    Great album. I was never a big Beck fan but this album won me over.
  4. ElizabethR.
    Sep 28, 2002
    10
    A wave of trance music you want to listen to over and over again, but oddly unmawkish, considering the subject matter. A fully realised A wave of trance music you want to listen to over and over again, but oddly unmawkish, considering the subject matter. A fully realised effort, integrating new (for him) directness in lyrics, and the lush but still restrained multi-track arrangements. Controlled emotionalism in a new form--beautifully constructed and intelligently executed.… Expand
  5. AnthonyMiller
    May 16, 2019
    10
    Becks most emotion album and I’d say one of his best. Fantastic album from start to finish
  6. 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 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
  7. 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 openingIt 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-… Collapse
  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 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.… Expand

See all 59 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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