本作は、Radioheadの『OK Computer』を手がけたNigel Godrichをプロデューサーに迎え、ハリウッドのOcean Way Studiosでわずか2週間という短期間で録音されました。前作『Odelay』のサンプリング主体のヒップホップ的アプローチとは一線を画し、アコースティックギター、Moogシンセサイザー、ストリングスなどを用いた有機的なサウンドが特徴です。歌詞もより内省的でシリアスな内容となっており、Beckの新たな側面を垣間見ることができます。
収録曲には、ブラジル音楽へのオマージュを感じさせる「Tropicalia」や、哀愁漂う「Nobody’s Fault But My Own」、サイケデリックな「Cold Brains」など、多彩な楽曲が並びます。
本作は、Beckが当初インディーレーベルのBong Load Recordsからのリリースを意図していたものの、最終的にはGeffen Recordsからの発売となり、その経緯が法的な争いに発展したことでも知られています。しかし、アルバムは批評家から高い評価を受け、グラミー賞の「Best Alternative Music Album」を受賞しました。
A1 Cold Brains
Bass Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums, Percussion Joey Waronker
Synthesizer Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Harmonica, Glockenspiel Beck Hansen 3:40
A2 Nobody's Fault But My Own
Bass Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Cello Larry Corbett
Esraj Fred Sesliano
Percussion Joey Waronker
Sitar, Tambura Warren Klein
Viola David Campbell
Vocals, Guitar, Piano Beck Hansen 5:02
A3 Lazy Flies
Bass, Percussion Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums, Percussion Joey Waronker
Keyboards Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals, Guitar Beck Hansen 3:42
A4 Canceled Check
Acoustic Guitar Smokey Hormel
Bass Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums Joey Waronker
Pedal Steel Guitar Greg Leisz
Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Trombone David Ralicke
Trumpet Elliott Caine
Vocals, Slide Guitar Beck Hansen 3:14
A5 We Live Again
Double Bass [Upright Bass] Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums Joey Waronker
Harpsichord Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals, Guitar Beck Hansen 3:03
A6 Tropicalia
Acoustic Bass, Percussion Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums, Percussion, Drums [Synth Drums] Joey Waronker
Flute, Trombone David Ralicke
Percussion, Cuica [Quica], Acoustic Guitar Smokey Hormel
Synthesizer, Organ, Percussion Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals Beck Hansen 3:20
B1 Dead Melodies
Double Bass [Upright Bass], Backing Vocals Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Guitar, Backing Vocals Smokey Hormel
Keyboards Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Percussion Joey Waronker
Vocals, Guitar Beck Hansen 2:34
B2 Bottle Of Blues
Bass Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums Joey Waronker
Synthesizer, Backing Vocals Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Synthesizer Beck Hansen 4:55
B3 O Maria
Double Bass [Upright Bass] Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums Joey Waronker
Guitar Smokey Hormel
Piano, Organ Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Trombone David Ralicke
Vocals Beck Hansen 3:59
B4 Sing It Again
Double Bass [Upright Bass] Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums Joey Waronker
Guitar Smokey Hormel
Piano Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals Beck Hansen 4:18
B5 Static
Bass Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums, Percussion Joey Waronker
Electric Piano, Organ Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Vocals, Guitar Beck Hansen 4:19
C Diamond Bollocks 6:00
D Runners Dial Zero 4:03
■ クレジット
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] David Campbell
Art Direction Beck Hansen Tim Hawkinson
Artwork [Design by] Robert Fisher
Engineer [Assistant] John Sorensen
Lacquer Cut By LEC
Mastered By Bob Ludwig
Mixed By Nigel Godrich
Photography By [Cover] Charlie Gross
Producer Beck Hansen Nigel Godrich
Strings [Arranged by] David Campbell
Written-By Beck Hansen