By most standards, Modern Guilt is a great cd. There's not a song that isn't enjoyable and some that are quite magnificent. Why, then, is Modern Guilt maybe just a little bit underwhelming? Is it because we're so used to Beck making quality music that it has to be as beautiful and interesting as The Information, Sea Change or Odelay to stand out? Or is it because this cd, unlike many of his others, doesn't mark a radical shift in his style, instead perhaps simplifying the style adopted for his last record? Maybe, in the end, it's just too short, clocking in at just about thirty-four minutes. Maybe it's the abrupt endings within the record, putting a stop to some of the better tracks without warning and seeming to stunt their potential. By any other artist's standards, Modern Guilt is a great record, but by Beck's, these flaws stand out. Also, if you're wondering about Danger Mouse's influence, well, it's more heavy on the bass.

This record is ok. Beck has yet to release a bad record. This is no exception. It's not bad. It's also not great. Great execution, great production, no hooks.

Great tunes, classic yet a bit more mellow Beck, but the sound quality is not that great, when listening on headphones anyway. There is no background and just overall the quality in sound is lacking. Still, Beck is one of my faves and this doesn't disappoint. The Information is still better though, in sound and artistry. Long live Beck!

Has some great songs. Love tracks 4, 5, and 6. I've had this CD on rotation in my car since it came out. Just don't get tired of it. Highly recommend getting the whole cd, rather than buying individual songs.

On his latest album, Modern Guilt, Beck returns to a more up-tempo affair. Well, an exception to the rule is the last track, "Volcano." Anyway, this is the most enjoyable Beck cd since Sea Changes, musically speaking. In some ways, it's even better, because it rocks. Sometimes it even sounds like someone is actually playing a drum kit rather than recording with electronic drums, which is something I always prefer hearing. "Volcano" sounds more like an outtake from Sea Changes minus a strumming acoustic guitar perhaps. It is the only track on Modern Guilt that doesn't seem like it belongs. However, every album needs to have at least one ballad, so to speak, on it. To be fair, Modern Guilt could have had one or two more slow numbers on it for balance, but the cd rocked so much, and the album was so short that there wasn't enough time to worry about an equal mix. If anybody wants to hear Beck play truly beautiful folk-rock numbers, they should try Sea Change. Modern Guilt and Sea Change are essentially the opposite of each other, both in form and tempo, but I think they are two of Beck's best!