Beck - 'Timebomb'
Tricky cove, the Beckster. By rights, his junk/funk hybrid nonsense should still be barging towards the top of whatever charts are available, because when he's on form, no-one rocks a mad party quite like he does. But he does have one of those voices that makes all of his songs sound similar. It's the Ian Brown syndrome all over again, and unfortunately, it gets worse over time. The more songs he puts out, the less impact each one has on the music-loving public at large. Which doesn't seem very fair, but that's the way it is.
(This isn't the official video. But it does contain Hamster Tetris, and therefore is something which needs to be exposed to as wide an audience as possible. Oh, and I'm going to assume that the shouting at the beginning is "suck a headphone" instead of anything ruder, OK?)
It's especially unfair when you think that anyone else who had the gall to release an infernally catchy rave-up with a moronic refrain which goes "we've got a timebomb, we've got a timebomb, we've got a timebomb, nah-na-naah-nuh" would be hailed as some kind of pop culture hero, and be paraded through the streets before being awarded a special medal.
But oh no, it's Beck, this is what he always does. He's always a bit funky and a bit droll and a bit silly all at the same time, and therefore why should we take any notice of his latest day-glo groove-bus, when there will probably be another four or five along in a minute?
Well, all I can say is that there will come a day when they cancel this particular service, due to lack of demonstrable interest. And that will probably be fine for you youngsters, who can still get your funk on in other ways, but spare a thought for the groove pensioner, who needs Beck in order to survive the long winters. Who is going to look after them?
We'll have to set up a special delivery service for them. We could give it a suitably Beck-ian name too, like Seals On Wheels (of Steel). But it won't replace the central importance of fresh Beck in their lives. So, it's especially crucial at this time of year that you think of others, and maybe offer some encouragement to Beck's endeavours, before they disappear forever.
Ooh! It's a bit like a sort of ticking explosive, which has been primed to blow up at a pre-determined time. What would you call a thing like that, do you spose?
Download: Out now
CD Released: December 17th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comments
I love Beck and I am not particularly old (I am abit old, but next year I will be young again so all is well).
I don't think you can get your funk on listening to anyone other than him. . . and maybe Incubus (I'm thinking the early days, see 'Fungus Amongus' and 'S.C.I.E.N.C.E.').
I was lucky enough to see Beck at V festival last year and it was amazing! The puppets were hilarious! If you don't know what I am on about then just search 'Beck puppets' on YouTube and let the hilarity ensue.