Beck: Ranking His Albums From Worst To Best

Beck's latest release has catapulted him back into the mainstream, the seasonal Morning Phase. The album consisting mostly of simple ballads with an emotionally impactful atmosphere, was received tremendously. Despite this the album doesn't top its depressing twin Sea Change, mainly due to its overly light and airy content in places.

Beck still showcases his usual deft touch when it comes to songwriting like on the gentle, oriental masterclass 'Blue Moon' or the soulful yearning of 'Heart Is A Drum', being particular choice cuts on this ethereal, blissful release.

The issue comes in the form of it's resistance to shift away from the sunny vibes that it bathes in, lacking the surprising U-turns so prevalent in all of his other work. Morning Phase is still a very accomplished album regardless and it does enter the dark corners of the psyche from time time to time (the outstanding, dread-filled corker 'Wave' for example) but it is one which gets a bit lost in all of the dreamy dimensions it conjures up.

A heartfelt and retrospective attempt by the genre hopper that soars for the skies and stays there, sometimes to its own detriment.

Highlights: Morning, Blue Moon, Heart Is A Drum, Wave