Search - Beck :: Information (Dlx) (Slip)

GREAT MUSIC BAD PACKAGING

MindSewer | Torrance CA USA | 02/27/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First let me say that Beck's music and video creations are clearly the most advanced artistic expressions in rock, IMO. I'm the biggest Fan of Mr. Hansen in the Universe, and I will *automatically* Buy His Product. BUT the packaging on this "deluxe edition" is truly a train wreck, and *those about to buy* should know about this up front, to avoid disappointment. The outer box is really flimsy cardboard; it's difficult to open and I put a crease in my copy on the very first opening. This packaging is designed to fall to pieces, which makes the sticker aspect even more comical, like I'm really going to mess with this stuff. The two cds and one expanded dvd are all in cardboard slip cases, and the cases are sized wrong, it's really hard to even get the disks out of the covers! Also included is a lyrics booklet and a blank graph-paper booklet for presumed Art Fun. The four sets of stickers satisfy the curiosity about what graphics were in the other three editions (besides the one copy I bought) of the original release of the album. This package is a HUGE step down from the deluxe hardbound book edition of "Guero" , unfortunately. It really looks cheap and destined for disposability. Perhaps that was part of the aesthetic, who knows. This is another case of burning copies of all the disks and filing the fragile original edition away, rarely to be touched. Of course the music is all that matters anyway; Mr. Hansen recently mentioned on NPR that doing this kind of packaging should make the album interesting and attractive to obtain rather than just downloading the music. I don't think this album's packaging succeeds in achieving this goal."

One of Becks Best Deluxe Editions!

Jake | St Paul, MN United States | 06/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to Beck from the beginning and even saw him on the Odelay tour in '96. In concert he is funny and amazingly talented. Through the years Beck has released special editions, bonus discs, as well as multiple covers (4 for Sea Change) and a b-sides collection. Each time I have bought something Beck has released it has always been well worth the money spent, and this Deluxe edition is no exception. You truly feel that Beck is deliverling on his promise to see each album not as static, but as an evolving piece of art that continues when the audience experiences the music. Here you get the 4 sticker sheets, and the 2 official videos, one of which was on TV. In addition you get 3 great B-sides, 2 of which were free downloads one from Best Buy and one from Target. The DVD also has a video for each song of the homegrown variety as seen with the Guero release. What is also a surprise is how great the remix CD is. It could be titled 'Midnight Vultures variations' because it is a disc full of great remixes that retain the core melody and music of the originals. It truly is a remix album where the songs really work well together and can be listened to again and again."