|
|
 |
|
Beck Concert Review
|
|
Beck / The Decemberists
Pacific Amphitheater (Orange County Fair)
Costa Mesa, CA
07/21/2005
by: John Paulsen
07/26/05
Here are three words for fans leery of attending a Beck show after witnessing
his low-energy tour in support of the 2002 album
Sea Change: Beck is back. Now
touring in support of his new album, the excellent
Guero, the singer played a rare
show “behind the orange curtain” (that’s how Los Angeles residents refer to
Orange County) at the Pacific Ampitheatre in Costa Mesa, California, as part of
the Orange County Fair concert series. Sea Change was written about a
tough breakup, while Guero was recorded after the singer married and had
his first child. As a result, Guero has a drastically different tone than
the previous album, and that difference translates onstage.
The Decemberists, a six-piece indie pop ensemble hailing from Portland, Oregon,
provided support. Focusing on material from their recently released third album,
Picaresque, frontman Colin Maloy anchored the group with his quirky
vocals and guitar work. The highlights were the catchy “16 Military Wives” and
“The Mariner’s Revenge Song.”
After a fairly long set change, Beck emerged and delved into a 24-song set list,
which technically included a medley or two. Oddly, he opened with “Clap Hands,”
a song left off of Guero, before moving into two good tracks from the
record, “Black Tambourine” and “Girl.” Two of the next three selections were
from the 1999 album Midnight Vultures – “Mixed Bizness” and “Nicotine &
Gravy.” The highlight of the first half of the set was probably the back-to-back
performances of “Que Onda Guero” and “The New Pollution.” After playing his
first hit “Loser” and another Vultures song, “Sexx Laws,” Beck went solo
for seven of the next eight songs. This series included “Everybody’s Gotta Learn
Sometimes” (which he recorded for the “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
soundtrack) and three tracks from Sea Change – “Guess I’m Doing Fine,”
“Lost Cause” and “The Golden Age.” The band joined him in the middle for a
humorous cover of Nelly’s “Hot In Herre” before Beck was alone again for the
crowd-favorite “Debra.” Afterwards, he said, “We keep trying to retire that
song,” which garnered a chorus of “boos” from the crowd – he continued, “but it
just keeps coming back.”
The band rejoined him to close the main set for a rousing rendition of “Where
It’s At,” and after taking short break, returned to close the show with the
Guero track “E-Pro.” While there was a noticeable lull during the solo
section of the show, Beck’s attitude and energy on stage was markedly improved
over the dreary mood surrounding his previous tour. He may never return to post-Midnite
Vultures form, but for the fans he won in and before that era, Beck is
definitely back on track.
Send any questions, comments or wine stories to jpaulsen@bullz-eye.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
