Beck Sea Change
I can’t believe it this review is almost identical to the review of Morning Phase, probably because Morning Phase is pretty much a continuation of Sea Change.

When work is stressing me out I need something that not only allows me to work, but gives me an extra push. An album that can put me into a different mental state and immerse myself into is worth an extra thousand words to me. The words come out, and I don’t feel the passage of time. Beck’s voice and warm guitar, bass, harmonies, acoustic arrangements succeed in taking me to that place quickly. This album is a companion piece to Morning Phase which was released 12 years later in 2012. It was written after the breakup of  his long term relationship.

Although there are a few standout tracks on Sea Change, like most music I like to work to it retains an even feeling throughout. There is no doubt Beck is an outstanding performer and musician, but his performance does not dominate my workspace. I feel there is plenty of room  for me to overlay whatever I am working on. Most importantly this feeling persists when played at louder volumes.

Released
2002

Lyrics
Yes, but not abrasive lyrics. Beck has a warm soothing voice complemented by relaxing arrangements to the songs. I find it easy to listen to his voice as it were another instrument in a mood ensemble. My only concern is that I may be biased as I have listened to a lot of Beck so think I may be slightly biased in his favour.

Mood
Beck is a specialist in the mood album and has gone through an eclectic range of styles. Sea Change is no exception but for the writer of any style this is the kind of Beck album for you. While I would not recommend all Beck albums this one puts me into a relaxed mood ideal for immersing myself in the written work. There is a sad quality to this music which makes me feel somber, but focussed. Likewise I would fin this an ideal album for an intimate dinner or curling up on the couch with a mice glass of wine or three.

Good to work to
I could write anything to this. I may have difficulty writing a chase scene, but I could write fiction or non-fiction. It might be a little harder to write a fight scene while listening to it, but it would be far from impossible. I’m finding it hard to describe exactly what it is good for, but more than anything it puts me in a contemplative, internalised headspace that makes it easy for me to block out the world, and be present in the moment.

Like
I hesitate to compare this to Nick Drake as it has a far more polished american feel. This is the album of a polished performer confident in their musicality, and with an ability to surprise at times.

The Artist/s
Beck has been lauded as a musical wunderkind, specialising in genre hopping sonic collages of beats, soul, country, and everything in between. His earliest hit was 1994s “I’m a loser baby so why don’t you kill me. Other performers such as the Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne have branded him a d**k, something Beck has explained as something of a misunderstanding due to an illness during their tour. What is certain is that Beck is a virtuoso, but what is not so sure is that someone who can make such fine music is indeed a d**k. His musically eclectic style is no doubt influenced by his visual artist mother Bibbe Hansen (one of Andy Warhol’s superstars) and prolific composer and arranger David Campbell.

Other works
This came out off the back of his largely eclectic back catalogue and there were thoughts that it would not get the air play his earlier more successful works had received. This prediction proved to be incorrect and this proved to be one of his most critically acclaimed and successful albums.

His earlier and highly successful albums, mellow Gold, Odelay, and Midnight Vultures are not of the ilk of this. If you are after more of the same try the later sister album Morning Phase.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
Like everything these days you’ll find it everywhere, except on Vinyl. I would recommend Morning Phase its later (2014) sister album which you might still be able to find on vinyl.

The Verdict
For me a winner. I rarely like lyrics, but these ones are soothing, rather than demanding.