Unpopular Music Opinions

[tragabigzanda]

[Bammer]

As I see it, the difference between Annie and Beck is that Annie has never presented St. Vincent as her authentic self. At least, not that I've seen -- or rather, not to a degree that feels like a con or disingenuous. She's constantly in character and she's always up front about that. Who her character is changes with each album. Each album is a play. And Annie is cast as a different lead in each new play. It doesn't come across as forced quirkiness to me. It's theater.

In interviews when she drops the latest St. Vincent character and lets Annie talk, she comes across as intelligent, thoughtful, curious, and nerdy in an endlessly endearing way. At least to me. She's guarded and protected, sure, but I can relate to that too. And I don't have the added pressures/problems of being a public figure. Or an attractive woman in an historically dangerous, masculine space.

Very convenient...

That said, in describing Annie Clark’s relationship with St. Vincent, I think you might have described my relationship with Bammer.

[Mickey]

As I see it, the difference between Annie and Beck is that Annie has never presented St. Vincent as her authentic self. At least, not that I've seen -- or rather, not to a degree that feels like a con or disingenuous. She's constantly in character and she's always up front about that. Who her character is changes with each album. Each album is a play. And Annie is cast as a different lead in each new play. It doesn't come across as forced quirkiness to me. It's theater.

In interviews when she drops the latest St. Vincent character and lets Annie talk, she comes across as intelligent, thoughtful, curious, and nerdy in an endlessly endearing way. At least to me. She's guarded and protected, sure, but I can relate to that too. And I don't have the added pressures/problems of being a public figure. Or an attractive woman in an historically dangerous, masculine space.

I...honestly can't think of a description that would make me less likely to listen to her music.

[digster]

Oh, and then as for Beck:

Sea Changes is where he shifted gears. It didn't work for me, but I know people love that album. And then he seemed to make a heavy-handed attempt get back to the wierdo-pastiche thing, but then it felt fake. Then Sea Changes part 2 sucked even more. His whole career ever since Sea Changes has felt overly articulated, with increasingly boring music. Just like St. Vincent!

Ironically, this critique was far more lobbed at Beck in the early part of his career, when he vacillated wildly between genres and styles. People presumed that wild sways between sampling hip-hop blues fan to surrealist folkie to funk falsetto singer to remaking Blood on the Tracks was inherently inauthentic. I'd say when it comes to his career now, people miss the "shtick;" that once he stopped doing that and had more sonic consistency from album to album, he became boring.

Not that I really put any stock in that critique, whether in the case of Beck volleying between genres or St. Vincent's overt theatrically. Personally, none of those things really give any indication whether something is or is not authentic, though that's probably a different conversation entirely.

[Birds in Hell]

As I see it, the difference between Annie and Beck is that Annie has never presented St. Vincent as her authentic self. At least, not that I've seen -- or rather, not to a degree that feels like a con or disingenuous. She's constantly in character and she's always up front about that. Who her character is changes with each album. Each album is a play. And Annie is cast as a different lead in each new play. It doesn't come across as forced quirkiness to me. It's theater.

In interviews when she drops the latest St. Vincent character and lets Annie talk, she comes across as intelligent, thoughtful, curious, and nerdy in an endlessly endearing way. At least to me. She's guarded and protected, sure, but I can relate to that too. And I don't have the added pressures/problems of being a public figure. Or an attractive woman in an historically dangerous, masculine space.

I...honestly can't think of a description that would make me less likely to listen to her music.

Yeah, this sounds legitimately horrible.

[Birds in Hell]

I don't think I've ever listened to a Beck album and I'm not about to start now.

[BurtReynolds]

Loser is played to death, but Mellow Gold is a fantastic and underrated album.

Morning Phase is a high point as well.

[tragabigzanda]

[gardenparty]

For my money:
1. Mutations
2. Odelay
3. Midnite Vultures
4. Guero
5. Mellow Gold
5. Sea Change
6. Modern Guilt
7. The Information
8. Morning Phase
9. Colors
10. One Foot in the Grave
11. Hyperspace

Beck was once an all time top 5 artist for me. Now, his music just isn't what it used to be.

[tragabigzanda]

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

"Mutations" is a fantastic album and anybody on the fence about Beck should check it out.

His best by far.

He tapped into something genuine and rare with that one.

Maybe because it was recorded live over a two week period?

He seems to think it was a tossed off contract filler. What a crock.

[VinylGuy]

Its been a looong time since i cared about Beck. I do like Mellow Gold, Odelay and Midnite Vultures. Also some moments of Sea Change too.

[tragabigzanda]

Top 10 maybe?
Hello Morning
Close Captioned
The Kill
Place/Position
Do You Like Me?
Latest Disgrace
Recap Modotti
Nightshop
Break
Life & Limb

I'd maybe bump Life & Limb for Epic Problem

[lennytheweedwhacker]

wait the polyphonic spree were shtick?

[VinylGuy]

yeah, i liked it when it came out, it felt different from what he was doing, a breakup album...but with time i havent felt compelled to come back at all. I would say the only two albums i came out are odelay and Midnite Vultures. Then, there are a few great songs in other albums...specially Nobody´s Fault in Mutations.

[tragabigzanda]

[lennytheweedwhacker]

sea change didn't do it for me overall either, though there are songs i absolutely love...i don't know if it was the hype or what, but it just never connected fully connected with me

[Kevin Davis]

"Mutations" is a fantastic album and anybody on the fence about Beck should check it out.

His best by far.

He tapped into something genuine and rare with that one.

100% agree -- an absolutely beautiful album, full of immaculately composed melodies and an instrumental palate that is eclectic but natural. One of my favorite albums of the '90's.

[bodysnatcher]

Sea Change is my favorite Beck album. Or, the only one I listen to.

[bodysnatcher]

As I see it, the difference between Annie and Beck is that Annie has never presented St. Vincent as her authentic self. At least, not that I've seen -- or rather, not to a degree that feels like a con or disingenuous. She's constantly in character and she's always up front about that. Who her character is changes with each album. Each album is a play. And Annie is cast as a different lead in each new play. It doesn't come across as forced quirkiness to me. It's theater.

In interviews when she drops the latest St. Vincent character and lets Annie talk, she comes across as intelligent, thoughtful, curious, and nerdy in an endlessly endearing way. At least to me. She's guarded and protected, sure, but I can relate to that too. And I don't have the added pressures/problems of being a public figure. Or an attractive woman in an historically dangerous, masculine space.

I beg to differ.