Artist: Jeff Beck

CD Review

Label: Sony

by Orren Merton

Jeff Beck just released a new album of original songs. 'Nuff Said, review over, buy the album.

Ok, maybe a few more specifics are in order. As you know, Jeff Beck is one of the most influential British rock guitarists who ever lived. If you didn't know that, you owe it to yourself to do your research on him--along with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Beck defined what rock would sound like. In the 90s, Jeff Beck decided that it would be fun to put his unique, blues-soaked rock guitar to techno music. The coupling has been nothing short of spectacular. Jeff Beck has always been one of the most creative guitarists of heavy rock's earliest days, and he is still finding unique voicing for his guitar, be it with phrasing, effects, or overdubbing. The modern production of the songs keep each cut sounding fresh. With collaborations from the likes of David Torn and Apollo 440, how can it not?

My personal favorite tracks are the opening track "So What," which comes closest to a "techno-metal instrumental," "Pork-U-Pine," "Trouble Man," "Grease Monkey," one of the few songs with vocals "Pay Me No Mind," and the two David Torn collaborations, "Plan B" and "Line Dancing." No songs in the bunch are losers, because even if the backing song isn't impressive, Jeff Beck's emotive guitar-work is. But don't get the idea that this is only a "guitarist's album for other guitarists." These are emotional slices of music that take the listener on a journey. At least a third of the album have vocal samples, so those who need a human voice as a reference in a song to enjoy it will still be able to grasp onto something (although, I must admit, I find the samples in "Hot Rod Honeymoon" to be so insipid as to detract from an otherwise good song, but perhaps if I were a child of the 50s I'd have a different opinion)

So, like I said--Beck released a new album, called simply Jeff. Buy it.