NR Essentials #1: Beck - One Foot In The Grave
 

 

Beck
One Foot In The Grave
1994, K Records

Released just after Beck became an MTV supastar with "Loser," this full on Dub Narcotic session showcased the folker side of Beck that he had hinted at with "Pay No Mind."

SY-board Haters take notice: this Beck is not the disco-dancin' weirdo you know from ODELAY. This is a record of serious ("serious") folk tunes obviously influenced by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt, Leadbelly, Son House, and so on. Though there are several electric tracks, they still sound closer to blues than indie rock.

The record has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It sounds like Beck picked songs out of his notebook at random, and friends of K swing by to add their parts. And that's exactly what it is, not far removed from the recording style that Phil Elvrum would be known for later with his Microphones.

This is an album I have revisited quite possibly thousands of times since 1994. And I never grow tired of a single note of it. [collectors note: it's worth it to hunt down the Japanese version which includes the 3 tracks from the original "It's All In Your Mind" 7"]

This is one of my favourite albums also. The duet on "Atmospheric Conditions" is amazing. These are some of Beck's oldest songs, probably written when he was working in McDonalds and escaping unpaid parking tickets (as he explains in the fresh meat cassette). A good showcase of his fingerpicking too.

Indeed. What about the intertwining vocals on "Forcefield?" Oh my goodness!

Good grief! Sam Jayne's vocal lendings to 'Outcome'? Someone's getting biizzzzyyy.

Agh! "Outcome!" ...."Cyanide Breathmint," "Asshole," "Girl Drams," "See Water," "Burnt Orange Peel," There's so many incredible songs on that thing!

Even "He's A Mighty Good Leader" worked its way into a Disney film!

Did it???

Yep. In one of the countless desert scenes in Holes. At least I think that's a Disney release.

One Foot is my favorite Beck LP. "Cyanide Breath Mint" rules.

If you guys like the whole bluesy almost lo-fi beauty music, then you better download this album;

http://www.divshare.com/download/2698027-ad6

You won't regret it.

What's that?

"End Of Amnesia", the first release on Merge Records by the second coming of Fahey, M. Ward.

I've never really liked OFITG. My favs: Odelay, Mutations, Mellow Gold, Sea Change, the Information, Modern Guilt.

I'm in the minority that loves Beck, but thinks that ODELAY and SEA CHANGE are just "alright."

I definitely think that the trilogy of MELLOW GOLD/STEREOPATHETIC SOUL MANURE/ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE is amongst his best work. But really, I do enjoy all his albums.

OMG! OMG! OMG! Deluxe Edition comes out tomorrow!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Foo...Deluxe_Edition

Awesome sounding reissue of an awesome, awesome album. DOUBLE THE TRACKS, OMFG!

One Foot is pro'lly my favorite of Beck's, possibly tied with its polar opposite, Midnite Vultures.

(Also: Danny, I'm trying out that M. Ward album, thanks!)

I've heard about half of the tracks on disc two. I'm so excited about this. Great surprise.

Yes this is my absolute favorite beck record. I feel like such a minority for being a fan mostly of beck's acoustic albums like this one and stereopathetic soul manure, many beck fans dont even know these records. I think his best stuff really is written in an acoustic medium. Something about One foot in the grave just feels so honest and authentic I love playing the album when I need to relax. I couldn't be happier that they'll be giving my fav album by him the deluxe treatment, its about time.

HOLY SHIT! My favourite Beck album of all time (I think?!) GETS A FRIGGIN MAKEOVER!? My heart just exploded.

Tracklist is pretty intriguing too. If that's a friggin studio take of harmonica-blastin', foot-stompin' "One Foot In The Grave" with the finished lyrics then I am done, my life has reached its high point and I can now die a fulfilled man. I am intrigued to hear that early version of 'All In Your Mind', too, I had no idea that song was so old. I've only heard a handful of those tracks before, including Mattress, which is totally weird. Oh, I am excited. CAN YOU TELL



YOU'RE WELCOME

great news! looking forward to hearing it