Are The Stars Out Tonight

Beck “I Only Have Eyes For You”

Beck’s rendition of the Flamingos classic is extremely reverent, and goes a long way to approximate the distinct atmosphere of the original recording. But as much as Beck does to capture that mood, this cover is astonishing mainly for how much of himself he puts into it, and how that part of himself is something we’ve rarely heard from him over the course of his career. This may be the single most beautiful vocal performance of his career to date. The specific adjective that comes to mind is handsome – it’s a particularly masculine sort of beauty; stoic and gentlemanly. He’s always had the capacity for this as a singer, but kept himself at a distance from it in one way or another. Between this recording and his duet with Bat For Lashes’ Natasha Khan on “Let’s Get Lost,” he’s giving us a new version of himself – let’s call it Romance Beck. I would be thrilled if this is where he goes on the next album.

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