Midnite Vultures
Encyclopedia
Midnite Vultures is the seventh (and fourth major-label) studio album
by American alternative rock
artist Beck
, released in November 1999 by Geffen Records
. Though similar to most of Beck's previous albums in its exploration of widely varying musical styles, Midnite Vultures didn't achieve the same blockbuster success as his breakthrough, Odelay
, though it was still critically and commercially well-received.
Midnite Vultures reached #34 in the US, where it went gold, and also hit #19 in the UK. As of July 2008, Midnite Vultures has sold 743,000 copies in the United States.
The album was praised by most critics; Rolling Stone
, NME
and Pitchfork Media
gave it four-star reviews (8.5/10 on Pitchfork). It was awarded the status of 'Universal Acclaim' by MetaCritic
with a score of 83/100, but in 2006 was named the 50th 'Worst Album Ever' by Q Magazine, despite the fact that they gave the album four stars.
Midnite Vultures was nominated in 2001 for Album of the Year
at the 43rd Grammy Awards.
Several songs were directly inspired by other songs: "Get Real Paid" features a spiraling sequencer motif reminiscent of Kraftwerk
's "It's More Fun to Compute"; a synth breakdown in "Milk & Honey" echoes a similar riff in Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
's "The Message"; "Beautiful Way" came about after listening to The Velvet Underground
's "Countess from Hong Kong"; and "Debra" was inspired by both Prince
's hit "Raspberry Beret
" and the David Bowie
song "Win."
Working titles for the album included Zatyricon (the name of a song released in 2000 as a B-side on the "Nicotine & Gravy
" single and later included on the Beck EP
) and I Can Smell the V.D. in the Club Tonight (a line from "Milk & Honey").
The first 500,000 copies came in a digipak
.
, except where noted.
stores came with a bonus disc that contained three songs.
Although these were part of the original pressings, they came in a standard jewel case. The bonus disc was enclosed in a cardboard sleeve outside the jewel case.
.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
artist Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, released in November 1999 by Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. Though similar to most of Beck's previous albums in its exploration of widely varying musical styles, Midnite Vultures didn't achieve the same blockbuster success as his breakthrough, Odelay
Odelay
Odelay is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock artist Beck, originally released on June 18, 1996, by DGC Records.After the mainstream success of "Loser", Odelay featured several hit singles, including "Where It's At", "Devils Haircut", and "The New Pollution"...
, though it was still critically and commercially well-received.
Midnite Vultures reached #34 in the US, where it went gold, and also hit #19 in the UK. As of July 2008, Midnite Vultures has sold 743,000 copies in the United States.
The album was praised by most critics; Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
and Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
gave it four-star reviews (8.5/10 on Pitchfork). It was awarded the status of 'Universal Acclaim' by MetaCritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
with a score of 83/100, but in 2006 was named the 50th 'Worst Album Ever' by Q Magazine, despite the fact that they gave the album four stars.
Midnite Vultures was nominated in 2001 for Album of the Year
Grammy Award for Album of the Year
The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer...
at the 43rd Grammy Awards.
Several songs were directly inspired by other songs: "Get Real Paid" features a spiraling sequencer motif reminiscent of Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
's "It's More Fun to Compute"; a synth breakdown in "Milk & Honey" echoes a similar riff in Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ and five rappers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in...
's "The Message"; "Beautiful Way" came about after listening to The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
's "Countess from Hong Kong"; and "Debra" was inspired by both Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's hit "Raspberry Beret
Raspberry Beret
"Raspberry Beret" is a song by Prince and The Revolution. It was the first U.S. single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day. The sound was different from any previous Prince track, incorporating Middle Eastern finger cymbals, stringed instruments, and even a harmonica on the extended...
" and the David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
song "Win."
Working titles for the album included Zatyricon (the name of a song released in 2000 as a B-side on the "Nicotine & Gravy
Nicotine & Gravy
"Nicotine & Gravy" is a song by Beck, from the 1999 album Midnite Vultures. It was released as a single in Europe in July 2000.-Track listing:# "Nicotine & Gravy" – 5:15# "Midnite Vultures" – 7:18# "Zatyricon" – 5:16# "Nicotine & Gravy"...
" single and later included on the Beck EP
Beck (EP)
Beck is a self-titled EP by musician Beck which consists of b-sides from the Midnite Vultures era. The EP was only available on Beck's website, and only 10,000 copies were printed...
) and I Can Smell the V.D. in the Club Tonight (a line from "Milk & Honey").
The first 500,000 copies came in a digipak
Digipak
Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company.-Features:...
.
Track listing
All songs were written by Beck HansenBeck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, except where noted.
- "Sexx LawsSexx Laws"Sexx Laws" is a song by Beck, from the 1999 album Midnite Vultures. It was released as the lead single from the album in October 1999. Musically, the song is an unusual combination of brassy funk with bluegrass-styled banjo and pedal steel guitar on the choruses and instrumental break, as well as...
" – 3:39 - "Nicotine & GravyNicotine & Gravy"Nicotine & Gravy" is a song by Beck, from the 1999 album Midnite Vultures. It was released as a single in Europe in July 2000.-Track listing:# "Nicotine & Gravy" – 5:15# "Midnite Vultures" – 7:18# "Zatyricon" – 5:16# "Nicotine & Gravy"...
" – 5:13 - "Mixed BiznessMixed Bizness"Mixed Bizness" is the second single from Beck's 1999 album, Midnite Vultures. Released in 2000, the CD release included five non-album tracks/remixes. It peaked at number 34 in the UK Singles Chart...
" – 4:10- Ends with 25 seconds of noise (described as "robots doing the nasty").
- "Get Real Paid" – 4:20
- "Hollywood Freaks" (Hansen, John King, Michael Simpson) – 3:59
- "Peaches & Cream" – 4:54
- "Broken Train" (originally titled "Out of Kontrol") – 4:11
- "Milk & Honey" (Hansen, Buzz CliffordBuzz CliffordBuzz Clifford is an American pop singer and songwriter.-Career:Clifford played guitar as a child and won several talent competitions as a teenager. He signed to Bow Records at age 15, releasing a few singles but finding no success. After signing with Columbia Records, he released the single "Hello...
) – 5:18 - "Beautiful Way" – 5:44
- Ends with 9 seconds of spray-painting effects.
- Seemingly inspired by The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
's "Countess from Hong Kong," a demo of which appears on the 1995 box set Peel Slowly and SeePeel Slowly and SeePeel Slowly and See is a five-disc box set of material by The Velvet Underground. It was released in September 1995 by Polydor.-Compilation:...
. (Beck's bassist Justin Meldal-JohnsenJustin Meldal-JohnsenJustin Meldal-Johnsen is an American musician and bassist, best known for his work with Grammy Award-winning artist Beck. He served as the touring bassist for Nine Inch Nails during their final tours.-Recording career:...
claimed they had been listening to the demo while recording the 1999 b-side "Halo of Gold.") - A sample song on Windows Media Player for Windows Millennium Edition.
- "Pressure Zone" – 3:07
- "DebraDebra (song)"Debra" is the name of a song by Beck. He had originally attempted to record "Debra" with the Dust Brothers for Odelay, but he thought that it was too tongue-in-cheek. It was debuted main-stream in 1996, and, as Beck noted, "it became the centerpiece of the whole set. It was the song that people...
" (Hansen, King, Simpson) – 13:46- Ends with 7 minutes of complete silence, and then 1:04 of hidden electronic noise (fast-paced drumming, static, a lounge-like synthesizer scape, a reprise of the drumming and static, and some slowed down vocalizations).
- Contains elements of "My Love for You" by Ramsey LewisRamsey LewisRamsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.-Biography:...
written by Ed Greene.
Limited Edition bonus disc
Initial versions sold at Best BuyBest Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
stores came with a bonus disc that contained three songs.
- "Salt in the Wound" – 3:24
- "This Is My Crew" – 3:55
- "Sexx Laws" (Malibu remix) – 6:52
Although these were part of the original pressings, they came in a standard jewel case. The bonus disc was enclosed in a cardboard sleeve outside the jewel case.
Additional recordings
The following songs were recorded during the Midnite Vultures sessions but did not make the album. Some appear on the limited edition EP BeckBeck (EP)
Beck is a self-titled EP by musician Beck which consists of b-sides from the Midnite Vultures era. The EP was only available on Beck's website, and only 10,000 copies were printed...
.
- "Almost a Ghost" (unreleased)
- "Arabian Nights"
- "Dirty Dirty"
- "Earthquake Weather"
- "Midnite Vultures"
- "This Is My Crew"
- "Rental Car"
- "Salt in the Wound"
- "Zatyricon"
Personnel
- Beck – synthesizer, guitar, piano, keyboards, programming, vocals, choir, chorus, producer, vocoder, horn arrangements, mixing
- David CampbellDavid Campbell (American arranger/composer)David Richard Campbell is a Canadian-American arranger, composer and conductor. He has worked on over 450 gold and platinum albums including Death Magnetic , Minutes to Midnight , KISS Symphony: Alive IV Spirit , These Days , Fallen , and various albums by his son...
– viola, string arrangements, string conductor - Larry Corbett – cello
- Joel Derouin – violin
- Brian Gardner – mastering
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
- Greg LeiszGreg LeiszGreg Leisz is an American multi-instrumentalist, playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass.- Biography :Leisz was influenced early on by the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, especially pedal steel player "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow...
– pedal steel - Jay Dee Maness – pedal steel
- Johnny MarrJohnny MarrJohnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
– electric guitar - Michael PattersonMichael Patterson (producer)Michael Patterson is an American record producer and mixer. He has worked on the critically and commercially acclaimed albums Midnite Vultures by Beck , Life After Death by Notorious B.I.G, the debut album by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, B.R.M.C. , and dark pop duo She Wants Revenge's first...
– mixing - Herb PedersenHerb PedersenHerb Pedersen is an American musician, guitarist, banjo player, and singer-songwriter who has played a variety of musical styles over the past forty years including country, bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, folk, folk rock, country rock, and has worked with numerous musicians in many different...
– banjo - Fernando Pullum – horn
- David Ralicke – trombone
- Joe Turano – horn, background vocals
- Arnold McCuller – background vocals
- Smokey Hormel – guitar
- Joey WaronkerJoey WaronkerJoseph "Joey" Waronker is an American drummer and music producer. He is the son of record producer Lenny Waronker and singer/actress Donna Loren; his younger sister is musician Anna Waronker; and his grandfather is record executive and professional violinist Simon Waronker. He has three other...
– percussion, drums - Beth OrtonBeth OrtonBeth Orton is a BRIT Award–winning English singer-songwriter, known for her 'folktronica' sound, which mixes elements of folk and electronica. She was initially recognised for her collaborations with William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers in the mid 1990s. However, these were not Orton's first...
– background vocals - Chris Bellman – mastering
- The Dust BrothersDust BrothersThe Dust Brothers are the Los Angeles, California based, Grammy Award winning producers, E.Z. Mike and King Gizmo , famous for their sample-based music in the 1980s and 1990s, and specifically for their work on the albums Paul's Boutique by the Beastie Boys, Odelay by Beck, and the soundtrack to...
– scratching, programming, producer, engineer - Robert Carranza – string engineer
- Steve Baxter – horn, background vocals
- Justin Meldal-JohnsenJustin Meldal-JohnsenJustin Meldal-Johnsen is an American musician and bassist, best known for his work with Grammy Award-winning artist Beck. He served as the touring bassist for Nine Inch Nails during their final tours.-Recording career:...
– synthesizer, bass, guitar, percussion, background vocals, handclapping, shaker, upright bass - Steve Mixdorf – second engineer
- Valerie Pinkston – background vocals
- Roger Joseph Manning Jr.Roger Joseph Manning Jr.Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. is an American keyboard player and founding member of bands Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, and TV Eyes. He has also spent several years as an integral member of Beck's backing band, and made contributions to several recordings by the band Air. He is...
– organ, synthesizer, piano, tambourine, background vocals, choir, chorus, clavinet, percussion, shaker, vocoder - Mickey Petralia – programming, producer, engineer, mixing
- Shauna O'Brien – project manager
- DJ Swamp – scratching
- Eve Butler – violin
- Charlie Gross – photography
- Arroyo Bombers – choir, chorus
- Arroyo Tabernacle Men's Chorale – choir, chorus
- Jon Birdsong – trumpet
- Derek Carlson – second engineer
- EyeYamantaka Eye, real name , born February 13, 1964 in Kobe, is a Japanese vocalist and visual artist, best known as a member of Boredoms. He has changed his name three times, from Yamatsuka Eye, to Yamantaka Eye, to Yamataka Eye, and sometimes calls himself eYe or EYヨ...
– artwork, art direction, design, collage - Gimbop – layout direction
- Michel GondryMichel GondryMichel Gondry is an Academy Award winning filmmaker, whose works include being a commercial director, music video director, and a screenwriter. He is noted for his inventive visual style and manipulation of mise en scène. - Life and career :...
– collage - Tony Hoffer – guitar, programming, producer, engineer, editing, mixing, wah wah guitar, sound design
- David Arthur Brown – tenor sax