One Foot in the Grave

One Foot in the Grave —in Spanish: Un pie en la tomb— is the fourth studio album by American musician Beck. released on June 27, 1994 through K Records. The album strengthened Beck's reputation, arguably allowing him to break into the mainstream for his 1996 album, Odelay. As of July 2008, One Foot in the Grave had sold 168,000 copies in the United States. On April 14, 2009, the album was reissued with 16 bonus tracks, mostly previously unreleased.

Recording and release

The album displays a strong folk influence that is more pronounced than on their more eclectic albums of the time, Mellow Gold and Odelay. Contains acoustic rock and alt-country songs and were produced by Beck Hansen and Calvin Johnson. It was recorded before the release of their album Mellow Gold, but was not released until after the album was a critical and commercial success. One foot in the grave did nothing more than reissue songs recorded years before on the K Records label and that fell more than the instrumental artifice on the emotion provided by the more acoustic sounds and the melody. One of the songs on the album, which offers folk-blues, “Asshole”, was covered by Tom Petty himself, who had declared that "at a rather poor stage for rock, Beck was most salvageable". The song “Cyanide Breath Mint” is even reminiscent of the folkier Ray Davies, although overall his more acoustic and melodic facet is quite reminiscent of Gene Clark.

The song "One Foot in the Grave" it had already been released on their album Stereopathetic Soulmanure from a live take. The album features production and occasional backing from Calvin Johnson, the founder of K Records. It was recorded at Dub Narcotic Studio, which was then housed in Calvin's basement. The producer, and also founder of the K Records label, accompanies the young Beck both on the cover, and on some songs in the voices.

Song List

All songs written and composed by Beck, except where noted.

• Under a recently issued court order, K Records can no longer sell this original version.

Japanese bonus tracks

• These three songs are extracts from the sessions One Foot in the Grave and were emitted in a 7" inch single in 1995. Both "Feather in Your Cap" and "It's All in Your Mind" were later rewrapped in study with a full band. The first was recorded in 1994 and released as a B side of the simple "Sissyneck" and "Jack-Ass" in 1997, while the last appeared in the 2002 album. Sea Change.

Deluxe Edition

A deluxe edition was released on April 14, 2009, with 16 more tracks, 12 of them previously unreleased.

All songs written and composed by Beck, except where noted.

Staff

• Beck – bass, guitar, battery, voice
• Calvin Johnson - voice
• Chris Ballew – bass, guitar
• James Bertram - low
• Sam Jayne - voice
• Scott Plouf – Battery
• Mario Prietto – bongos