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Epicurus.com - 11 Tracks of Whack
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List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $11.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Giant Records / Wea
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0075992457927
Label: Giant Records / Wea
Manufacturer: Giant Records / Wea
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Giant Records / Wea
Release Date: 1994-09-27
Studio: Giant Records / Wea
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Editorial Reviews:
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As one half of Steely Dan, bassist, guitarist, and cowriter Walter Becker was often overlooked simply because the words came out of his partner's mouth. But any post-Dan suspicions that it was Donald Fagen who carried more weight in shaping the duo's stealth- pop are brilliantly atomized by this superb, if underrated, 1994 solo debut for Becker, which confirms his stand- alone gifts for intricate jazz harmonies, his instincts for superb arrangements, and above all his powers as a lyricist. On the evidence of 11 Tracks of Whack, it's Becker who excels at the oblique, coded language that was one of Steely Dan's most insidious weapons: from the opening "Down in the Bottom" and the withering, yet tender "Junkie Girl," "Book of Liars" and "Cringemaker," Becker crafts shadowy relationships, telling gesture, and street patois into brilliant, highly stylized songs. Apart from shedding fresh light onto one of the most potent writing partnerships in pop, these Tracks pack whack indeed. -- Sam Sutherland
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Truthfully, Come On?
Comment: First a comment on the other negative reviews you'll find here. I'd be the first to admit that when I like a musical artist or group, I very much dislike finding negative reviews about them. However, sometimes those reviews have saved me from wasting my money. When I see the collection of negative reviews here, and then find that many of the readers voted that these reviews were NOT very helpful, I have to ask were these readers simply do-or-die fans and therefore, if the reviews aren't positive, the reader wouldn't like them. I found the negative reviews here very helpful, especially in that they matched my sense of reality concerning the quality (or lack of it) of the music found in this (Walter Becker) effort. I too am a fan of Steely Dan, but I can hardly stomach the sometimes nauseating sound here. At times, he seems to shift the melody lines of both instruments and vocals to a calculated destination that purposefully causes unrest in the listener, as if to scrape fingernails on a chalkboard, resulting in at least this listener's questions, "Isn't that note out of tune?" and "Wasn't that vocal note flat?" One of the definitions of the word "whack" is: 'a trial or attempt'. Yep, that's what you get here and nothing more; an attempt. I agree with the reviewer that stated his shelf doesn't have room for less than average recordings. I say, "Throw this fish back." What I ask you to do is not appreciate my review, but please appreciate the other reviews which are trying to save you your hard earned cash. Spend it elsewhere.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Ah Becker, you sly dog.
Comment: Just what I was hoping for from this man with the wonderful sense of humor and exquisite musical distinction. I enjoy this album whether I'm doing the dishes or going on a road trip. I'm proud to have it as part of my collection.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Dan-Fan Letdown
Comment: I made every effort to listen to this as a Walter Becker project rather than a Steely Dan project, in order to give the man an objective appraisal based on his own merits. I have no clue as to what was going on in Becker's life when he made this CD, but the lyrics point to devastating emotional losses, deep depression and general misery. He brings these feelings in full force to an odd and intermittently successful set of tunes that had the overall effect of giving me an anxiety attack with a funky undertone (if that makes any sense). Becker is a very good poet, albeit a cynical and angry one on this record, but he is not much of a composer. His songs lack the harmonic sophistication we expect from Steely Dan. OK, now I'm comparing. It's hard not to.
Unlike some who have criticized his singing, I don't mind Becker's voice. In fact, if he weren't so whiny and sad, it would be a very good voice. At times his inflection and phrasing remind me of Jimi Hendrix, who was undoubtedly Becker's guru in the olden days. But the melodies are short-range, monotonous ditties that repeat in a loop (hence, my anxiety). There's also an unusually atonal feeling to the songs, as if they're hovering somewhere between keys, so I couldn't get a clear bearing. Maybe that was a reflection of Becker's emotional state, and if so, at least he succeeded in communicating that effectively.
On the plus side, there are many funny, ironic lyrics (Cringemaker; Girlfriend) and some great hooks (Lucky Henry; Junkie Girl; Hard Up Case). Surf and/or Die appears to be a true tale about the death of someone close, and it knocked me out. Perhaps the most emotionally pure song is the closer, about his son. Becker has a soft side, and at least with respect to his offspring, he gives it some breathing room.
In the time I've owned this CD it's grown on me a bit. If "Whack" has anything going for it, it's funk. It's not Steely Dan (there I go again), and it's not something I play often or even all the way through in one sitting, but it's worth a listen.
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you love Steely Dan...
Comment: If you love Steely Dan than this CD is a must for your collection. Starting off with "Down in the Bottom" you'll hear the classic Steely Dan sound. "Lucky Henry" is a fast paced Jazz romp that will be sure to set the mood. The songs "Junkie Girl" and "Book of Liars" each offer a slice of that classic sound as well. Though Donald Fagen is more well known and has come out with more solo work than Walter Becker, I can't wait until Becker comes out with another CD. FIVE ***** STARS!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you love Walt...
Comment: I am a die-hard Steely Dan fan and love most of the solo work I have heard. And even though I am more of a "Walt" guy than a "Don" guy, I found this CD lacking the phenomonal production and performance standards Becker has previously set for himself. Most of it is not bad, but not particularly good. It just is. And I don't have room on the shelf for anything average or below.
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