I couldn't really comment, I only have two of those albums. Does Orphans qualify as a new album? I know he recorded some material for it, re-recorded even, but I thought it was mostly a retrospective.

Anyway, I just wanted to ask, is Becks The Information really that good? I liked Guero, but wasn't blown away. I figured this one was more of the same.

I love the Information. It's less beats and dance oriented than Guero (which I liked too). The Information has come fascinating production, some wonderful tunes and seems to me the best mix of his troubadour / louche beats style. It sags a little toward the end (most of his records do) but the first 9 songs are a fantastic listen. I'm not really sure why it didn't get the kudos it deserved.

Neither do I. It sort of went under the radar alright. Maybe because it came so soon after Guero (and even sooner after Guerolito). I'll pick it up if I find a cheap copy so. I have all his other ones, no reason why I should drop him now.

Yeah The Information is rockin - deserved to be on there. Cat Power is the one for me there. I like joanna newsom but i think im one of the few people that prefare the Milk Eyed Mender album.

Was there not something to do with the packaging that made it exempt from the charts ? I think it was deemed to be a gimmick, so giving it an unfair advantage.

Yeah, I remember that. It came with free stickers allowing you to design the cover yourself from scratch. Apparently it violated section 4B of the artiste-album-chart treaty of 1961. It was deemed "too much fun" and so was exempt from the charts.

I don't think he would have bothered the charts too much anyway. I mean how many people were going to see Beck at number 22 in the album charts and think, "Hey, I need to get this."

I don't fuc*ing believe ya! That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. It was deemed too much fun?? What plonkers there are out there. It was a savage idea, not to mention the album is class. Im a fairly new fan of Beck ever since hearing the cover of 'Everybodys Gotta Learn Sometimes' from the Eternal Sunshine soundtrack... Since then I have been slowing collecting all the previous and newer material. I loved Sea Change first, despite from what I can tell it being alot more low-key than most of his stuff, reminds me of Neil Young. Guero took a while for me to get into but I did eventually and love it now. The Information was much easier to embrace instantly. Its production is fascinating as Stephen said. The mix of strong percussion with Strings and electonica is sweet. The last 4 or 5 tracks seem more like remixes but I think thats allowed given that its a pretty damn long album!
Anyone catch them supporting Radiohead last year? Very entertaining show to watch... whether you are a fan or not.

I was joking about the too much fun bit...and the section 4B bit

I really should have seen that... now whos a plonker?! Can we delete all of that? Ah fu*k it, I just wanted to talk about Beck

Cat Power, Tom Waits and Beirut wouldn't throw me into fits of rage if they won however as far as I'm concerned Jojo should be the only real contender for it.

Ys should win. Great album