I have seen the future...and it is Beck.
926749
When you were a kid, did you ever mix a whole bunch of household ingredients together into a mad scientist milkshake and then dare everybody to try a sip?  Maybe Beck did that a lot as a kid.  As he emerges as an  artist, it is fairly impossible to stick him into any genre.  Beck takes  hip-hop, rap, country-western, funk, techno-dance and alternative rock and  blends it all into a strangely bizzare mix.  Only a real genius and talent  could blend those styles together into one delicious  concoction.
"Where It's At" might be the best song I've heard  in ten years.  I still can't figure out how he fused country-western rock  with early 80's breakdancing hip-hop.  The rest of the album is full of  creative songs like "Devils Haircut" and "The New  Pollution."  The album slows down near the last few songs and it  doesn't really end on a high note, which is why I could only manage 4 stars  for this album.  Take off a couple of songs from this record, and I might  have given it six stars, though.  This isn't Beck's masterpiece...that's  probably going to come many, many years and albums later.
Nobody, but  nobody is making music as wildly inventive as Beck Hansen.  In ten years,  people will talk about how he influenced the artists of the day and changed  music as we know it.  When we're surrounded by so many sacharine clones  passing themselves off as musicians, its so refreshing to hear Beck create  something so original and different from everything else.
4969698
When I hit play on a new Beck CD its like the Christmas present you can't guess. Whats it going to be? Pop disco? New Wave Hip Hop? Fresh Funk? Solemn ballads? Its always different (but always great) - thats what I love - not like one of those predictable pop CD's artists churn out like clones- but new and fresh. That's why I was kind of disappointed a bit with Guero (which was great compared to the music landscape overall, but just OK for Beck). Guero made me feel like the present that you say - 'Oh, I've got one of these already'. 'Information' is new and different. 'Information' pulls in new directions and is one of his best pieces yet. The first time you listen to it some of the sounds sound random and uncoordinated, but as you 'listen, lather, repeat' you realize the sounds are like a mathematical algorithm - precise and calculated. Even 'Think I'm in love' which would be so campy I could gag if it were to come from someone else comes off great at the hands of the master.

So Mr Hansen: I love it. Please don't make another.
1191253
The basic premise of this sophisticated book is that you can't hold back progress and in the author's mind, progress is information. I was extremely impressed with how many of his predictions of the future have actually come true. A visionary is good way to describe him. I was not aware of his work with Citicorp but it would be interesting to hear what he would have predicted for the financial services world. He barely talks about it in the book. Too many predictions to mention but you will be impressed at his track record. In summary, because of the age of this book many of his predictions have already happened so you really can't capitalize on many of the ideas. However, it's a short read and a very interesting one at that.
1464125
I purchased a gold plated version of this back in '93 I thought it was visionary and 20 years later it appears PROVEN to be way ahead of its time. I only purchased this "visionary,prophetic album again because of the cd/bluray 5.1 audio mix. Profound foreseeing of the NARCACISSTIC/SOCIAL MEDIA sites and Military technology that in '93 was was in it's INFANCY! (well,as far as the AMERICAN public had knowledge of!)Very much in the style of a PINK FLOYD record...own it!
4334552
First let me start by saying I am not a Glenn Beck fan. But, I happened on this book. After I read about 4chapters I was hooked! The Overton Window is an Excellent READ. There is allot of fact's mixed into the story, which I found very intriguing. Just the "title" itself was an eye opener.
I highly recommend to anyone to read, and I see part2 is coming out June 11, 2013. So I look forward to reading that one too.
Best wishes to all, take care, Suzy-Q
4149372
Jeff Beck just makes me smile.  He keeps getting better all the time.  I am a long time fan, I started listening to him around the Truth album then went back and listened to some of his work with the Yardbirds.  I have followed him with all of the Jeff Beck Groups and with his short lived power trio BBA and the guest appearances on others albums.  Back in the 70's I heard some bootlegs of him in concert from friends that followed him around the county.  And then the Blow By Blow album came out.  The thing that was so interesting about it or that time was, I started to listening to a lot of jazz fusion and I was very into playing the guitar myself.  And there was Jeff Beck playing fusion!  I would have kept listening to him anyway but I just couldn't believe how the world had changed at that time of it's release.  And just wearing the record album out.  I can still remembering seeing him playing Freeway Jam in concert and the sound of his guitar, the punch and power coming from the stage.  This recording of the performance from Ronnie Scott's does not disappoint.  Jeff Beck and the band are in great form and just tight.  He always seems to be having a good time when he is playing live and I can't imagine what some in the crowd were thinking when they were hearing the band just fired up.  Even though you may know the songs, he always manages to make the performance new and surprising.  As i said in the beginning of this review, he just seems to keep pushing himself and getting better.  A highly recommended listen experience.  And if you can find it, his recording Live at B.B. King Blues Club is a good companion recording to check out.
295369
Glenn beck does not disappoint with this sequel to the Overton window. I would call it a great read if the picture of where America is. Heading was not so terrifying and sadly so true. I expect a third book based on the conclusion. A good tale of good vs evil
.
3954294
First off, what is with the editorial review by Ernesto S&aacute;nchez?  I am positive he didn't listen to this CD at all, nor is he familiar with Beck's style.  Nothing in is review has anything to do with the content or quality of the CD.  Listen to the samples and you will see what I mean.
That said, I am a big fan of Beck and enjoy the different styles and approaches he takes in each outing.  Modern Guilt is unique in that it combines much of his past styles in a very enjoyable way.  The lyrics are memorable and thought provoking, the guitar riffs and drum beats are very cool sounding and catchy, and each song has a different yet familiar style.  Also, I can't find one bad track on the CD, I like all of the tracks and never have the urge to skip during play.
4769658
Once every millennia, one encounters beings of power that have the potential to utterly transform one's outlook on the world: the starving plight of millions of Africans; the genius of Einstein; a sexy woman. Yet Einstein and sexy women cannot come close to the power to change and control of the shirt with three wolves.

The shirt began seventeen years ago, when it was delivered to my door. As I attempted to open my eyes amid the bright glare, I heard a voice. The voice informed me that the Messiah was coming. I wished for sunglasses to see the glare. The voice heard my thoughts and changed my house into the Sunglasses Hut. I picked a pair and the voice paid for half.

Then, I looked at the light and saw an image of wolves; the image burned into my brain and has not left me to this day. Yet the view suddenly gave me power. I willed the image to stop glowing. It stopped. I willed it to make me the Messiah. It informed me that I already was. Simply by looking at the wolves.

For the wolves and moon have power that cannot be captured in words.
I took the power and used it to change my Sunglasses Hut back into a hut. Then, I willed myself to float and travelled back in time to start all the major world religions. I also stopped a nuclear attack that would have destroyed  all of New York in 1974. Then, I used the power of my Messiah-status to get free Chik-fil-A for my whole family. For the generosity of the Messiah knows no limits.

Having concluded my travels, I received a command from the voice, after 60 years of philanthropy. I was informed to put the power of the wolves onto a shirt for all to share.  Now, everyone can become a Messiah simply by coming into contact with this shirt. I made a deal with Amazon to bring this to you today. Another command told me to write this review.

And so I have done.

The most pitiable drug addict has the potential to achieve utter success simply by glancing at this shirt. To think about it gives one the ability to change the color of objects within five feet (but not closer than three feet). But to dress in it bestows the greatest power. The wearer of this shirt automatically becomes the One. The most glorious element is the fact that everyone who wears it has the capacity to become the one - at the same time. No less than 30,000 are currently the One. And each one is utterly unique and privileged. Neo wore this shirt. The secret behind the Matrix is that he had three wolves to assist him. Such is the only reason why he got Carrie Anne Moss.

Barack Obama is the One. Michel Gorbachev was the One. Jessica Alba is the One.

Only because of the shirt.

At the moment, I am the One. I just typed this with my mind. As I redeveloped calculus using two sheets of paper and three pencils [using my other mind].
3787612
If you, like me, are an avid armchair mountaineer, gripping your cup of hot chocolate at the risk of either spilling your drink or breaking the cup as the National Geographic Channel or Discovery Times takes you over the breathtaking vistas of the Seven Summits; and if you, like me, stop to read or listen to every story of the mighty Everest and the hundreds of people who've braved its summit since Tenzing Norgary Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hilary cut the ribbon, you're bound to be drawn to this book.  And certainly if you, like me, know by name everyone on Rob Hall's and Scott Fischer's teams in 1996...those who perished, and those who survived, along with a preview of the breathtaking tale Beck Weathers tells here of his rescue from the mountain, you may scratch your head in puzzlement when you realize that you are less than a third into "Left for Dead" when you've reached this point in the book.  What more could there be to tell?

Don't stop reading.

First of all, Beck does a spectacular job, aided by his wife, now, who adds comments about how his obsession with climbing afffected the family, of his entire history of climbing, including the colorful characters and the close calls that accompany Beck and his companions during their climb.  But now as he looks back, Beck is able to reflect on what he missed.

Oh no.  Is this turning into a screenplay for a chick flick?  Well, not really.  Or not entirely.  But by the end, Beck has realized  all that he came very close to losing ....even after the Everest climb...included much more than a hand, and was much more precious.

Although I still would have liked a bit more build-up before the crisis on Everest, I thought this was a darned good book.  I would not ask the author to lose any more extremities, but if he could manage to write another without losing one, that would be OK.
3005996
He grabs the potentialities and eventualities of the present and follows them through the years of the near future in a very believable way.  The characters start out they way you would want them to, and then grow in a very believable way.  This is a future you would hope could happen.  Tons of fun!
3911032
My vocabulary is apparently too limited to accurately describe how great this is. Lyrically...musically...just listen to it. You'll hear the influence of the past, you'll hear the truth about the present and you'll hear music from the future.
4207318
Oh man, back in the early 1990s where we thought everyone in 2015 would be on computer-enhanced-psychedelics, living in VR, and main-lining smart drugs.  A visionary look into the future; some that happened, others that might still happen.  Art work and style cannot be beat on this book too.
3865105
The book is provocative to say the least.  I `m not buying into the idea that we are on an immediate "cusp" of accelerated technical achievement.  I've been watching projections of the great things just around the corner for far too long.  They tend not to materialize or are many years coming.  Also I have been an investor in Biotech for several years and Nanotech for a few years and nearly all of the promises are still just that.  Skeptical, yes, but certainly not dismissive of the possible potential of many technologies.  If nothing else Joel Garreau has raised a host of issues that will be challenging mankind for a decade or two, if not more.  I highly recommend the book.
68596
It was SCIFI without being totally unbelievable with the tech as fast as it is changing  today. I could see a future like this.
933585
Really nice album. Quite different that Odelay or Guero, my other Beck albums. The word languid come to mind as I think of listening to it.  Unlike the others I have to say I really enjoyed this work from the first listen. The others it took me a couple of passes before I appreciated all the tracks. Oh, and F**k Conyea !
721815
Although there isn't one song here that is as good as "Elevator Music" (well...maybe "Profanity Prayers" and "Replica" come close) this is a far, far better album than "The Information" - cleaner, tighter and much, much more committed. Beck is still a bit too interested in darkness, spacey vocals and paranoia, but he's reined in the excesses and turned out a spare but delightfully punchy set that sticks in your head and grows on you with every spin. Danger Mouse seems to be a perfect partner in crime for our boy; in fact, if I didn't know I'd never be able to guess Mouse was on this record, as he concentrates on enhancing Beck's stylistic approach and leaves his own trademarks out - he must be a huge fan.

The only real issue here is the length; it's so short that you're not ready for it to be over and it's gone. Make no mistake: this is still a Beck II record (see my review of "The Information") and not a return to the insane brilliance of the Mellow/Odelay/Mutations/Midnight era, but everyone's entitled to grow up and "Modern Guilt" is a sublimely grown-up pop record.