Sea Change

Bought this cd off watching Beck live at the Union Chapel on Bbc4. Album Tracks I love are "The Golden Age" - lovely acoustic guitar", "Paper Tiger" "Guess I'm doing fine", "Lonesome tears" is quite haunting, my favourite is "Lost Cause" a beautiful acoustic song about doomed to fail relationships (hey - hasn't everybody been there before?;) , the rather depressing (but somewhat addictive) "It's all in your mind", and another one of my favourites "Sunday Sun", which really brings out Beck's wonderful and unique voice which has a wonderful piano piece in the song which gets me tapping away at a fake piano:)This album is certainly a step up from Beck's previous album "Midnite Vultures" which is Disco and funky orientated - some would say that this album is rather depressing in places - but i believe this album is based on Beck's personal experiences - particularly "Lost Cause" which his split with his partner in his relationship hit beck hard - but this only brings a positive out of a negative in beck producing an absolutely wonderful song in the process for his fans and the neutrals alike - a definitely cult classic to own - I'm glad I bought mine;)

I've known this album very well having liked the CD for many years. The Bluray Audio was worth the purchase though. Unlike some Bluray Audios, this disc includes 2-channel and 5.1 mixes. The 5.1 mix is outstanding and uses all channels creatively. It's a shame this now long-existing format hasn't been more fully exploited by other labels.I've noticed a lot of nuances to the recording that are lost completely on CD.As much as I like the original album, if I'm honest it does tail off slightly toward the end, but curiously the sparkling quality held my attention throughout and I couldn't bring myself to stop the album before the end, which I tend to do with the CD.Come on Universal (& Sony etc etc) pleeeeeeease release more 5.1 modern recordings on BD Audio not just classical, 60's jazz and 70's rock which may have had pretty dodgy masters in the first place.

Having bought the CD on release a decade ago and loving it ever since, I decided it would be worth investing in the Blu Ray to see if the 5.1 added anything. So often these things really are just hype, but in this case I don't think there is enough hyperbole to do the production justice. It is fantastic. Just an absolute aural joy. Really like listening to a different album almost as you pick up sounds you hadn't previously noticed. The separation through the speakers is perfect. I played it to a friend who also loves the album and after listening to the 5.1 he simply said "you realise you've spoiled it for me now". Doubtless he'll have a 5.1 set up soon :-)

Having not heard any new Beck since I bought Odelay on release, Sea Change was a surprise, a pleasant one. Much calmer than Loser or Odelay, and they are amongst my favourite music but still very much Beck. It presents another side of the artist, yet another layer to his talent and so evocative. Whereas Loser demands reaction and response, Sea Change is more like a persuasive proposition, leaving the listener floating until they orientate, until they establish the new perspective.If you like Beck you won't be disappointed with Sea Change, it's like finding him again. Enjoy.

Having bought Beck's new album Morning Phase, I was advised it was a companion for Sea Change, which I thought was rather odd as there is a twelve year gap between the two albums, and Beck has covered many styles since 2002. But the two albums really do go together, in fact I almost consider the two to be a double album a bit like Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock. I can't believe I missed this one all those years ago.

The 2 channel music on this disc is in 24/192 PCM. For reasons unknown to me, I did not find it pleasing to my ears. But then I listened to the 5.1 version on this disc. It is absolutely amazing. There are sounds coming from in between the loudspeakers front and back, not just front or back. This must be better than the SACD version that exists of this music. For those of you who like music in surround sound, this disc is a must.

With DVD-A and SACD fading away, HD audio fans are having a hard time getting hold of quality music, particularly in the UK where little HD audio is available for download. The SACD of this album was exchanging hands for silly money on a certain auction site. So, this Blu Ray Audio release, which includes a 5.1 PCM 24/bit 192KHz, is very welcome and quite stunning - particularly for the £11.80 paid at the time of purchase.

great album very soothing to listen to before you go to sleep or when you want to relax or even listen when traveling, its got some amazing song and becks voice like in all his albums is amazing.