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Modern Guilt

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Modern Guilt
Studio album by
Beck
ReleasedJuly 7, 2008[1]
Recorded2008
StudioAnonyme, Los Angeles
Genre
Length33:33
Label
Producer
Beck chronology
The Information
(2006) 		Modern Guilt
(2008) 		Morning Phase
(2014)
Singles from Modern Guilt
  1. "Chemtrails"
    Released: June 23, 2008
  2. "Gamma Ray"
    Released: August 11, 2008
  3. "Youthless"
    Released: December 22, 2008

Modern Guilt is the eleventh studio album by American musician Beck, released in 2008 by both DGC Records and XL Recordings. The album was produced by Beck and Danger Mouse[5] and features two contributions by Cat Power.[6]

Production

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Beck and Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) had been casual acquaintances prior to their collaboration on the album, as some of Beck's musicians had also performed with Danger Mouse's project Gnarls Barkley.[7] Beck said, "It did help that we share a lot of musical references. We spent the first week just talking about different records. His knowledge is pretty deep, especially with some of the obscure late-Sixties, early-Seventies rock."[7]

The original concept for the album was 10 short tracks, each around two minutes long, but Beck eventually chose to eliminate the shorter tracks.[7] Songs began with an acoustic guitar and drumbeat and selected songs would then be embellished upon, with Burton adding keyboard bass and Beck adding other instruments.[7] Beck described the album as the most intensive work he'd ever done: "It was like trying to fit two years of songwriting into two and a half months. ... I know I did at least 10 weeks with no days off, until four or five in the morning every night."[7]

At 33 minutes long, the album was Beck's shortest, with only two songs lasting longer than four minutes.[8]

Release

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In May 2008, it was announced that Beck would be releasing a then-untitled album in the summer.[9] Modern Guilt was released on July 7, 2008 in the UK and Europe and on the following day in the United States.[1] A vinyl record of the album, including download codes for the 320-kbit/s digital version of the album direct from the vinyl master, was released on July 22, 2008.[10]

In July 2009, launching his website's new Videotheque section, Beck uploaded a series of videos comprising acoustic band performances of every song on the album, recorded earlier in the year after returning home from his tour of Japan.[11]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
The A.V. ClubB[14]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[15]
The Guardian[16]
The Independent[17]
Los Angeles Times[18]
PopMatters[19]
Pitchfork7.0/10[20]
Rolling Stone[21]
Spin7/10[22]

Critical

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The album received generally positive reviews upon release, earning a rating of 77 out of 100 on Metacritic.[12] Filter said of the album, "Beck is somehow more aware while puffing out his waves of broken poetry as opposed to the casual seed-spitting he has been known to turn to",[12] while AllMusic said that it was "an effective dosage of 21st century paranoia."[13] Some negative reviews, such as one from PopMatters, said that the album "lacks the unique resonating timbres one is accustomed to with Beck",[19] while The Guardian called it "a vanity project".[16]

In December 2008, Modern Guilt was nominated for Best Alternative Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, but it lost to In Rainbows by Radiohead.[23]

Commercial

[edit]

The album entered both the Billboard 200 and the Canadian Albums Chart at number four, and gave Beck his first ever Top 10 placing on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number nine. The album was also Beck's second-best charting album in Australia, reaching number 13, behind his twelfth studio album Morning Phase, which debuted and peaked at number 5 in 2014. In the US, the album sold 84,000 copies in its first week.[24] Although successful, it did not match the first week sales of Beck's previous album, The Information (2006), which were 99,000.[24] In Canada, the album sold over 6,000 copies in its first week.[25]

Modern Guilt was awarded a silver certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicated sales of at least 30,000 copies throughout Europe.[26]

Track listing

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All songs written by Beck, except "Walls", written by Beck, Danger Mouse, Paul Guiot and Paul Piot.

  1. "Orphans" – 3:15
  2. "Gamma Ray" – 2:57
  3. "Chemtrails" – 4:40
  4. "Modern Guilt" – 3:14
  5. "Youthless" – 3:00
  6. "Walls" – 2:22
  7. "Replica" – 3:25
  8. "Soul of a Man" – 2:36
  9. "Profanity Prayers" – 3:43
  10. "Volcano" – 4:26
Extended version bonus tracks (UK iTunes exclusive)[27]
  2. "Vampire Voltage No. 6" – 2:20
  3. "Bonfire Blondes" – 2:26
  4. "Half & Half" – 2:21
  5. "Necessary Evil" – 3:35
  6. "Gamma Ray" (video) – 2:54
  7. "Youthless" (video) – 2:51
  8. "Modern Guilt" (video) – 3:14
  9. "Replica" (video) – 3:24

Personnel

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  • Beck – vocals (tracks 1–10), guitars (tracks 1–2, 4–5, 7–10), flute (track 1), percussion (track 1), electric piano (tracks 2, 7–8), bass guitar (tracks 4, 7–10), marimba (track 7), tambourine (track 8), slide guitar (track 9)
  • Brian LeBarton – synthesizer (tracks 1, 5)
  • Jason Falkner – bass guitar (tracks 1, 3), guitar (track 3)
  • Chan Marshall – vocals (tracks 1, 6)
  • Danger Mouse – beats (tracks 1–2, 4–7, 9–10), keyboard bass (tracks 2, 6–7), synthesizer (track 6), programming (track 6), sounds (track 8)
  • Greg Kurstin – organ (track 3), piano (tracks 3–4, 7), synthesizer (track 5)
  • Joey Waronker – drums (track 3)
  • Matt Mahaffey – bass guitar (track 5)
  • Larry Corbett – cello (track 5)
  • Drew Brown – beat (track 8)
Technical
  • Danger Mouse – co-producer
  • Beck – co-producer, album design
  • Drew Brown – engineer
  • Darrell Thorp – additional engineering, co-mixing (track 3)
  • Kennie Takahashi – mixing
  • Wes Seidman – assistant engineer
  • Seth Waldmann – assistant engineer
  • Eric Weaver – assistant engineer
  • Sam Holland – assistant engineer
  • Dror Mohar – assistant engineer
  • Danny Kalb – assistant engineer
  • Todd Monfalcone – assistant engineer
  • Nathalie Marchand – additional assistance
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • David Campbell – string arrangements, conductor
  • Drew Brown – photos, album design
  • David Calderley – layout

Accolades

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Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Q UK 50 Best Albums of the Year 2008 23[28]
Rolling Stone US 50 Best Albums of the Year 2008 8[29]
WERS Boston US 50 Best Albums of the Year 2008 6[30]

Charts and certifications

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[31] 13
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[32] 42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[33] 16
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[34] 46
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[35] 4
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[36] 32
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[37] 33
French Albums (SNEP)[38] 45
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] 63
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[40] 21
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[41] 24
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 14
UK Albums (OCC)[43] 9
US Billboard 200[44] 4
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[45] 2
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[46] 2
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[47] 1

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (2008) Position
US Billboard 200[48] 178

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Label Format Catalog Ref
World July 8, 2008 DGC Digital download — [49][better source needed]
Argentina CD 1775441
Australia 1775441
Canada B001150702
United States B0011507-02
LP B0011630-01
United Kingdom July 7, 2008 CD B001150702
XL XLCD369
LP XLLP 369
Europe
CD XLCD369

References

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  1. ^ a b "Beck's Modern Guilt Album Art & Tracklist". Stereogum. June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  2. ^ Appleford, Steve (September 18, 2008). "Beck Debuts Stripped-Down Tour in Reno". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  3. ^ Rowin, Michael Joshua (November 21, 2019). "Review: Beck's Hyperspace Is As Lyrically Vague As It Is Sonically Minimal". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  4. ^ "Beck in 10 Songs". 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  5. ^ Reynolds, Simon (2008-03-07). "Danger Mouse producing new Beck album". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  6. ^ "Beck Set to Release New Album, Stat!". MTV. 2008-05-05. Archived from the original on 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  7. ^ a b c d e Edwards, Gavin (May 29, 2008). "In the Studio: Beck Conjures 1960s Brit-Rock Vibe on Danger Mouse-Produced "Modern Guilt"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Sexton, Paul (July 9, 2022). "'Modern Guilt': Beck's 'Eerily Soulful' 33-Minute Trip". Udiscovermusic.
  9. ^ Ayers, Michael D. (May 7, 2008). "New Beck Album Due This Summer". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
  10. ^ "Beck Announces Vinyl Release, Adds More Tourdates". Tiny Mix Tapes. July 17, 2008. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  11. ^ Kreps, Daniel (July 13, 2009). "Beck Celebrates "Modern Guilt" Birthday With Acoustic Version". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "Modern Guilt Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  13. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Modern Guilt - Beck". AllMusic.
  14. ^ Modell, Josh (2008-07-07). "Beck: Modern Guilt". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  15. ^ Grenblatt, Leah (2008-07-11). "Modern Guilt Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  16. ^ a b Fitzpatrick, Rob (2008-07-03). "CD: Beck, Modern Guilt". The Guardian.
  17. ^ Hasted, Nick (2008-07-04). "Album: Beck, Modern Guilt (XL)". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  18. ^ Powers, Ann (2008-07-08). "New CDs: Beck, Kerli and Greg Laswell". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  19. ^ a b Hauner, Thomas (2008-07-07). "Beck: Modern Guilt". PopMatters. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  20. ^ Dombal, Ryan (2008-07-07). "Beck: Modern Guilt". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  21. ^ Maerz, Melissa (2008-07-08). "Modern Guilt". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  22. ^ Anderson, Stacey (2008-07-08). "Beck, 'Modern Guilt' (DGC)". Spin. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  23. ^ "Grammy 2009 Winners List". Mtv.com. 2009-02-08. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
  24. ^ a b "Beck's 'Guilt' debuts at No. 4". Entertainment Weekly. July 16, 2008. Archived from the original on October 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  25. ^ Williams, John (July 16, 2008). "Beck's 'Guilt' makes fine debut". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
  26. ^ "Over 60 independent artists win new IMPALA Awards, with European Platinum for Adele, Pink Martini and Scooter". Independent Music Companies Association. October 9, 2008. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  27. ^ "iTunes Store - Beck - Modern Guilt (Extended Version)". iTunes. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  28. ^ Q Jan 09, pg.84
  29. ^ "Albums of the Year : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 2008-12-25. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  30. ^ WERS.org
  31. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Beck – Modern Guilt". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  32. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Beck – Modern Guilt" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  33. ^ "Ultratop.be – Beck – Modern Guilt" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  34. ^ "Ultratop.be – Beck – Modern Guilt" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  35. ^ "Beck Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  36. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Beck – Modern Guilt". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  37. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Beck – Modern Guilt" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  38. ^ "Lescharts.com – Beck – Modern Guilt". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  39. ^ "Officialcharts.de – Beck – Modern Guilt". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  40. ^ "Charts.nz – Beck – Modern Guilt". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  41. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Beck – Modern Guilt". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  42. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Beck – Modern Guilt". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  43. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  44. ^ "Beck Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  45. ^ "Beck Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  46. ^ "Beck Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  47. ^ "Beck Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  48. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  49. ^ "Beck - Modern Guilt at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
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