Amy Barrick

On March 29, Beck released his sixth major record label album, titled Guero. Guero is a Spanish term that means, “white boy.”Despite having leaked onto the Internet months ago and receiving so-so reviews for the leaked copy, the album debuted at number two on the charts, behind 50 Cent. For this album, Beck pulls out some very spunky and original beats. The whole album has a groovy summer feel to it, which mixes Beck’s smooth vocals and off-colored lyrics surprisingly well.In Guero, Beck resurrects some of the upbeat feeling and funky delivery from his most popular album to date, Odelay. As he does in that earlier album, Beck lays down some more laid-back jams.The first single from the album, “E-Pro” is a fast-paced, radio-friendly Beck concoction with a catchy refrain, which matches the mood of the beginning tracks of the album, such as the Spanish-influenced rap tune “Que Onda Guero,” and the light pop song “Girl.” In true Beck fashion, these songs have some interesting lyrics. In “Que Onda Guero,” he raps about a vegetable man and a vegetable van (his words, not mine), while in the song “Girl” he matches dark lyrics (Walking crooked down the beach/ she spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching) to the upbeat music. This isn’t to say that the whole album has this upbeat pop feel, however. Later in the album, Beck moves into more bluesy songs such as “Scarecrow” and “Go It Alone.” Also, Beck incorporates some slower beats and darker songs such as “Broken Drum” and “Farewell Ride,” which feature more distortion and a dreamy flow of music and lyrics. The faster and lighter songs return at the end of the album, in the song “Rental Car,” which would suit a summer drive on the Interstate and the progessive last song of the album, “Emergency Exit.” Guero differs greatly from Beck’s melancholy last release, Sea Change. The new album supplies a variety of moods and beats, which show Beck’s versatility and growth as an artist, while still retaining some of his trademark sounds. Beck fans should not be disappointed by this release.