Beck worked on this and The Information at the same time, but finished Guero first. To help with the production he enlisted the Dust Brothers, who had already worked with him on Odelay and Midnite Vultures. It is possibly his least cohesive album, the one that plays most like a collection of songs rather than a concept piece. That said, it's a fine collection of songs
If a theme can be found on the record, it's a look back at the cultures and influences that informed Beck's music and thoughts, from the Los Angeles Latino neighbourhood he grew up in, to the musicians and genres that shaped him - the blues, hip-hop, world music... It's a fairly joyful album, compared to its predecessor (the melancholic Sea Change), and less deep than the its follow ups (The Information and Modern Guilt), but though it still divides fans - a favourite for some, Beck's weakest for others - it has its place in Beck's output. A quick reminder of the rules in case someone wants to join in for the first time.
For each album each song is a round, and each round you vote for your LEAST FAVOURITE song and that song will then be eliminated. When a song is eliminated the results will be posted and the album track list updated without the song that was voted off, and then we continue until we are left with one song from each album, the overall winner.
So, here's the first tracklist - once again as it appears on the standard album, without bonus tracks found on other editions:
1. E-Pro
2. Qué Onda Guero
3. Girl
4. Missing
5. Black Tambourine
6. Earthquake Weather
7. Hell Yes
8. Broken Drum
9. Scarecrow
10. Go It Alone
11. Farewell Ride
12. Rental Car
13. Emergency Exit
Looking at this list now, makes me realise how many great songs are on this! I'm having problems even starting!
I'll be back.
