With Guero, Beck picks up where he left off prior to the moody, contemplative Sea Change. Initially, the disc comes on like a creative watershed, full of newfound maturity and focus; unfortunately, Beck doesn’t sustain that level of quality to the finish. Guero kicks off with “E-Pro,” a fuzz-laden, funkyard jaunt that’s typically catchy Dust Brothers fare. Likewise, the kitschy retro-samples and Latino street vibes of “Qué Onda Guero” are amusing fun and the tinny Casio intro of “Girl” unveils a feisty pop gem, while the heady island groove of “Missing” is irresistibly penetrating. But precisely at the halfway mark, Guero veers dramatically off course, landing Mr. Hansen in a sonic mud pile from which he seems unable to escape. “Farewell Ride” and “Broken Drum” are simply dull and uninspired, while “Scarecrow” and “Rental Car” are nothing more than predictable rehash. Bottom line? Guero would have made an excellent EP.
This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2005.