Beck EP utilizes old Nintendo sound

Beck's new EP will certainly have his fans shouting its name, Hell Yes. The EP, which is available from iTunes, is a precursor for his new album, Guero, due out at the end of March.

It is a very new and experimental movement for Beck Hansen, who is no stranger to creating new sounds.

Hell Yes is a throwback sound for the Nintendo generation. The record features four songs off of his new album that have been remixed with an 8-bit sound that is very familiar to anyone who has ever touched an original Nintendo Entertainment System.

The sound of these remixes is saturated by the old school Nintendo sounds, lending a techno feel to the music. The first track, "Ghettochip Malfunction," is the remix of the EP's namesake, "Hell Yes." It is an upbeat song that differs greatly from the sound of Beck's last album, Sea Change, which sported a very somber and, quite frankly, a depressing sound.

The record continues on with "Gameboy and Homeboy," a song about vegetable men, their vans and mariachi bands. Continuing with the EP's new tradition, this is once again a remix of a song off of the upcoming Guero, with an 8-bit musical sound. This song is unique from any other on the EP in that it has a Central American salsa-music feel. It is jumpy, festive and just generally exciting and new for Beck.

"Bad Cartridge" probably features the most familiar sound and style for those growing up loving games such as the Super Mario Brothers.

"E-Pro" from the new album is yet another animated remix on Hell Yes. It features the most retro sound of any of the other songs featured on the EP. Fast paced 8-bit beats accentuate the relaxed sound of Beck's vocals in such a way that is very fresh.

"Bit-Rate Variations in B-Flat" perfectly ends the record with a softer, more pop-sounding song despite the mix it has received. "Girl" has been remixed to fit the EP, but still contains a sense of vocal conventionality to fit it with a song that one might hear on the radio.

The entire EP is once again something completely new, which is what people have come to expect from Beck. He always seems to show that he can do anything with any genre and is a genius at doing so. Obviously, his new EP is no exception to the rule that he has created throughout his career.

The sound that these mixes have created is something unique for a fairly mainstream artist. It is great to see that there is still someone willing to take chances for the sake of his own art to create something exciting.

At the risk of sounding somewhat repetitive, this album is just plain cool.

Anyone who ever played video games as a child will be filled with nostalgia at hearing Beck's new musical experiment in addition to just plain enjoying the neat sound.

All in all, this is a fantastic new direction that has been taken. Guero looks to be shaping up as one of the better albums heard - waiting for it to come out will be the hard part.