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As far as Midnite Vultures b-sides, this is all you need

wellwellwell | bog | 09/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was a [...] exclusively released CD from 2000 (dubbed '[...] B-sides')... so I'm not really sure why it's listed on Amazon. But whatever the case may be, this is a terrific pickup for any Beck fan. It comes in a slim cardboard sleeve with 'Beck' written on the front and the track listing on the back. What this EP features is 8 b-sides and remixes from the Midnite Vultures era (plus the "Nicotine & Gravy" video). All these songs are available on various singles of "Sexxlaws" and "Nicotine & Gravy" and/or imports. The only song missing is a Wizeguyz remix of "Sexx Laws"; which isn't a big deal because the 3 other remixes are enough to tide you over. I, like many people, have never been a huge fan of remixes. In point of fact, the one and only remix I like better than its original is the Boards of Canada remix of "Broken Drum" (featured on the 20-track CD/DVD version of Guero).



So the remixes are average, but the b-sides are better; particularly "Arabian Nights", which is one of my favorite Beck songs of all-time. It goes from sexy hip-hop to a beautifully played acoustic solo almost as abruptly as "Alcohol" goes from serene to some sort of violent, Congo electric guitar. The second best b-side is "Salt In The Wound", which boasts a super-catchy guitar beat and endless pounding on one piano key (in the background). "Dirty Dirty" is a standard b-side that is very much on pace with the entire sex-inducing feel of the album. The almost-was-a-title-track song, "Midnite Vultures", is more or less likeable, although it carries on for over 7 minutes without having any lead vocals, but rather talking. The background ahhhhhhs are a nice touch, though. And finally, you have "Zatyricon"--definitely the weirdest Beck track I've ever heard. Simply put, it's a guy calling a doctor's office trying to get botox injections into his tail (that's right, his tail), set behind video game-like sounds.



Despite a couple of flat-out weird b-sides and a couple of just-your-average remixes, I would highly recommend getting this EP for the rare b-sides; especially for "Arabian Nights", which is better than most or all of the songs on Midnite Vultures, and "Salt In the Wound". This item is no longer available for sale, so the used copies you see here are your last chance to get this outside of online auction sites. Besides, it beats having to buy all the singles."