I’m not usually one for ‘special editions’ or ‘reissues’, but sometimes I can be persuaded. Especially if it is a reissue of an out-of-print Beck album with 16 extra bonus tracks. Yes, I do already own One Foot in the Grave. I’m just a sucker for Beck, and any excuse to visit Newbury Comics is a good one.
The original 16 track album has not been tampered with at all. However, the 16 tracks that follow are an exciting mix of demos, rarities and random stuff. Modern Guilt, Beck’s latest album, was considered to be stripped down; One Foot in the Grave is bare bones material. At times it is just Beck with an acoustic guitar stomping on the floor and playing some harmonica, or it could be a basic band jamming on some short tune. No samples, no computers, no effects, nothing; this is Beck at his finest.
Three of these tracks have been released on other albums: “One Foot in the Grave”, “Feather in Your Cap” and “Whiskey Can Can”. All the others are new to the public. Highlights include: “Teenage Wastebasket”, “Mattress”, “Favorite Nerve”, “Black Lake Morning” and the classic “A**hole”.
With a new booklet, complete with lyrics, all wrapped up in a digi-pack release this is perfect for any Beck fan. If you ever wondered why Beck is often referred to as a modern Bob Dylan, this album will answer all of those questions. Compare this to early Dylan, and you can hear some striking similarities. Beck doesn’t need a crazy ensemble to rock, he works well with next to nothing.
