Beck: Ranking His Albums From Worst To Best

Released in 2008, Modern Guilt was a rather subdued effort in comparison to Beck's previous releases. There didn't seem to be a breakthrough single in sight, instead the album played out like a minimalist, more stripped back facet of the musician. On repeated listens though the album reveals all the hallmarks of the expansive tool-set Beck utilizes.

The cocky strut of 'Gamma Ray' and the electronically infused 'Youthless' show how musically, and from a production standpoint, adept Beck had become by this point. It also features one of the best songs in the entire Beck canon, the ethereal beauty that is 'Chemtrails', a song that is so good it deserves a few listens to fully experience its majesty.

Busting a size nine hole in the gentleness of its predecessors, the blues drenched 'Soul Of A Man' relies solely on its simple but punishing drum beat and low, heavy guitar stabs. Of course there is the usual sound editing wizardry we have come to know and love with Beck, but the song doesn't run away with its own ambitious ideas either, instead Beck opts to make it as tight and cohesive as possible.

While this is great and the album is brilliant from a technical viewpoint, it's lacking somewhat in the freeness and spontaneity area, something which Beck normally specializes in.

Hightlights: Chemtrails, Youthless, Walls, Profanity Prayers