Beck - Colors

Colors is the 13th studio album by American artist Beck. If there is one thing that is certain about how this record would sound, it's that on the whole it would be nothing like his previous record. Such is the diversity of Beck's music. I have been into Beck for many, many years. In fact it was when I picked up an indie compilation called "Shine 9" and "Where it's at" was on it. I then picked up Odelay and been following him ever since. Although I really liked the likes of "Odelay", "Mutations", "Midnite Vultures" and "Golden Age"; The more recent stuff such as "Guerro" (which I realise is quite old now!), "Modern Guilt", "Information" and "Morning Phase",  I did buy them, but I only reallly listened to those albums once or twice. Maybe because I was listening to a lot of other stuff at the time and never really gave these albums much of a chance.

This album came to fruition in a different sort of way to usual. Although the album was just released last year in October 2017.  The first single, "Dreams" came out in June 2015.  I thought and still think now that this is a great, funky and upbeat track. I was excited for an album coming out because of the quality of this track but of course I would have to wait 2 years for the album to come out. In a way it was quite a clever idea to gauge reaction and to see if that was the direction he wanted to go down, by releasing "Dreams" while still working on the rest of the album.  Having not really listened to recent albums its hard for me to say that this is completely different to those albums. However it I do know it is very different to the softer and deeper "Morning Phase". From what I have heard of those albums though it might even be the funkiest albums he has produced since "Midnite Vultures".

"Colors" is a very fun album with lots of really upbeat, dancy songs that will put you in a good mood.  The likes of "No Distraction", "Seventh Heaven", "Colors" and "Up all night" particularly echo this sentiment. But there are a few curveballs in here which bounce back to previous Beck eras. The likes of "Wow" sees Beck doing his simple rapping which was seen in the likes of albums such as "Odelay". While the tender and excellent "Fix me", almost nicely finishes the album (depending what version of the album you have).  This track would fit perfectly on to "Morning Phase" but at the same time these tracks do give balance to this album and still fit in.  The bonus track is remix of "Dreams" which I find slightly annoying, because as much as I like the track, having it come on twice regardless of version does ruin it a wee bit.

But on the whole I do have a lot of time for this album. It puts me in a good mood and a good one to bop your head to.  After 13 albums most artists would have run out of ideas. However Beck still comes up with the goods and thanks to his endless imagination creates albums which are still fresh and interesting. For me I have probably listened to this album more than any of his others which in itself says a lot. Since back in the 90s and early 2000s I did listen to him quite a bit.