Who knew Jeff Beck's sonic blast in 2016 could irk liberals the way it does with 'Loud Hailer'? Yes, the legendary guitarist decided to hit a different note with this album—serving up a platter instead of a guitar clinic, and doused in angst against what many of us might find to be quite relatable critiques of society. Dubbed 'Loud Hailer,' this album was released in July 2016, casting its sounds from Beck’s rich backyard in the U.K. A collaboration with singer Rosie Bones and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg from the band Bones UK, it reeks with fiery declarations that could just be the resounding alarm conservatives have been waiting for.
The album is a bracing call to action, swathed in Beck’s signature guitar virtuosity—never lacking in licks that grab your attention more than any so-called social justice warrior ever could. Perhaps it's the unexpected blues-rock mix that makes 'Loud Hailer' a surprise windfall, especially given Beck’s jazz fusion background. A guitar maestro known for bending notes rather than bending the knee.
Track by track, the album does what music should: spark conversation and push boundaries. Songs like "The Revolution Will Be Televised" perfectly encapsulate the irony of today's media frenzy—a theme that could only be more accurately nailed together like a conservative tapestry. It's as if Beck took a megaphone to scream about what some want to brush under the rug.
Then there's "Live in the Dark," which, better than any placard protest, hits the notes about swallowing back pre-packaged narratives. Enough with being told what to think and whom to blame. Beck’s guitar doesn’t whisper sweet nothings; it shouts about awakening.
Great art is often born of risk, and let's give credit where it's due: This isn't the kind of work that panders to mass-market fluff or wears the masks of political correctness. This is high-voltage Jeff Beck, raw and unfiltered. "Thugs Club" is another thunderous track on 'Loud Hailer,' a blistering critique that hooks its claws into the societal throat—as if it's giving a wakeup call reverberating through the strings and drumlines.
In "O.I.L.," the pretense is dropped like a faulty stage curtain. It's a track that dares to challenge and question the purpose of artificial constructs of control. Rebels don’t toe lines, and neither does this album.
The electrifying “Scared for the Children” takes aim at the tender unspoken fears that shouldn't be glossed over. It goes against the current climate of bubble-wrapped safety nets. Here’s a wake-up call challenging the constant finger-pointing toward safe spaces.
This isn’t just music for the headphones—it's music to crank up. And no, it’s not about aiming quaintly at everyone’s ideals but about nailing them to the mast for everyone to see. They say artists should throw open the windows of thought, and Beck puts a sledgehammer through the walls.
Beck’s 'Loud Hailer' is a colossal stomp that will likely set back those who seek only musical syllabub. But for those who are ready for their senses to be shaken, it’s a rollercoaster. By pushing the envelope, Beck proves that music doesn't have to be all bubblegum and roses—it can be a cathedral of sound that dares to question and provoke.
Given that Jeff Beck is no conventional artist—this isn’t a conventional album. Already the stage is set for this eclectic blend of protest songs punctuated by loudspeaker messages. Is it controversial? You bet. Is it necessary? Absolutely. When did music become about just playing it safe? With 'Loud Hailer,' Beck reminds those willing to listen that passion trumps all.
'Loud Hailer' does more than entertain; it awakens. It’s an alarm suited for those attuned to discern the clamor from the noise. On its high wire, Beck and his collaborators bring honesty and guitar riffs that transcend the cacophony of daily distractions.
It's precisely that burst of originality and powerful soundscape that makes 'Loud Hailer' a poignant statement instead of a mere album. So strap in, plug in those earphones, or crank it up loud enough for those thin walls of echo chambers to crumble. With songs brimming with expressive power and lyrical edge, Beck’s 'Loud Hailer' is less about tuning in to a frequency of comfort and more about causing waves that will undoubtedly ripple beyond 2016.