Underlying Themes

I'm generally digging Beck's Guero album, but I'm noticing that "Black Tambourine" sticks in my head the most. And it sticks in my head largely on the same qualities as Mos Def's "Sex, Love & Money" from The New Danger.

It's sort of a pandiero groove propelling both songs, even though I don't think either song actually uses the Brazilian percussion instrument. On top of the shuffling groove is, well, not much. Beck opts for bass, Mos Def for bass drum and flute. One the one hand, the rhythms are dense, but at the same time, there's a lot of empty space. It's a very cool sound.