Odelay

This album makes me wanna dig out the parachute pants and some extra-thick fluorescent shoe strings and get down! Odelay, Beck Hansen’s second major label release is more of the same bizarre, but catchy, bastardization of old school hip-hop, funk, folk, fusion, country, blues, and whatever else he can get his hands on that was introduced on his first record, Mellow Gold. But it works, and it’s brilliantly anti-formula. It doesn’t have any super-singles like "Loser", but as with Mellow Gold, all the songs are worthy and original. Standouts are "Devils Haircut", "Where It’s At", and "High 5 (Rock the Catskills)". With a hand in production from the Dust Brothers, Beck injects even more of a rap groove than on his last album. In typical Beck fashion, the album cover is the cheesiest he could find and the inside fold-out has a collection of twisted images to top it off. Beneath the surface, lies the most daring mix of styles around. The first time through, I couldn’t wait to hear what the next song was going to sound like. Then I wanted to hear it again. And again. Some of the songs are dark and brooding, some are fun and up-tempo, but they’re all addictive. So pick up Odelay, pop it in your boombox, and bust a move! - Ian Bartosevich