At an age when fellow ex-Yardbirds guitar gods Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page are polishing their legend and trying to recapture it, respectively, Jeff Beck has produced one of his most challenging and rewarding albums. An edgy, metallic maelstrom with a distinctly postmodern slant (thanks largely to the tense, digitized rhythms of producer Andy Wright and drummer/programmer Aiden Love), You Had It Coming is the kind of album his fraternal fretmeisters might scarcely understand, let alone attempt. Already the guitar's unparalleled master of feedback, distortion, harmonic sorcery, and microtonal manipulation, Beck here pushes the envelope yet again. From the manic thrash-metal of "Earthquake" to the hot-rod sampled "Roy's Toy" and especially "Loose Cannon," Beck's soloing is all haunting howls and jagged corners, a nervy dance along the razor's edge of dissonance and melody. The emotionally charged changes of pace are as surprising as they are compelling: Beck exploring Eastern modalities while showcasing his arsenal of technique in a stunning take on Indian pop musician Nitin Sawhney's "Nadia"; the techno revamp of the blues staple "Rollin' and Tumblin'," fronted by the urgent vocals of Imogene Heap; Jeff literally jamming with a chirping feathered friend on "Blackbird" (while plying the frets with a table fork!); the fingerpicking funk of "Rosebud"; and the graceful, lyrical resolve of "Suspension." This is one of Beck's best and a worthy companion to Blow by Blow, Wired, and Guitar Shop. --Jerry McCulley Price: $6.99
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