From the joyous horn ejaculation of single 'Sexx Laws' right through to the gorgeous tongue-in-cheek Prince pastiche of 'Debra', Beck is having a lot of fun and it's difficult not to get carried away by it all. Between these two beauties we're treated to electro, rock, folk, funk and hip-hop. In particular, the standout 'Hollywood Freaks' is utterly, utterly fantastic and very funny. He's got groove in his heart.

Some may question Beck's authenticity, wondering whether he puts any of himself into the music: it's easy to feel insecure when listening to this record, uncertain whether you've been reeled in by some bad joke. Beck does tend to come across at times like some clever spoilt brat. He's smart and mischievous, smashing up post-modern culture into spiky and difficult pieces before deftly rebuilding them into beautiful and complex musical shapes. He speaks a strange language, is simultaneously happy and sad, knows who he is yet constantly toys with his identity, and wears so many colours that they eventually become back and white. And this time the black and white reads 'Genius at Work'. Get down or get out.

This album could be credited to The Artist Formerly Known As Beck such is the spectre of Prince both in musical and vocal styles, especially the falsetto and softly-spoken voice-over in 'Debra' and the feel of 'Raspberry Beret' suggested by 'Peaches & Cream'. 'Milk & Honey' weds 80s synthesizer to funky beats, rock guitar and groovy gibberish lyrics. Only 'Beautiful Way', including backing vocals from Beth Orton, would fit easily into his previous release, the acoustic 'Mutations'.

Such plundering could result in empty, fragmented postmodern fare but Beck transcends these potential reservations. His music has a rare energy and coherence as exemplified in the triumphant horns of 'Sexx Laws' or the downright dirty feel of 'Hollywood Freaks'. The latter includes particularly inspired surreal stream of sub-consciousness raps. The only quibble would be the gap between the final named track and a bonus piece of music. This is becoming an increasingly regular trait of CDs and Beck is the worst culprit yet with seven minutes of John Cage-type silence between 'Debra' and some Atari Teenage Riot-esque noise. That apart, 'Midnite Vultures' is magnificent. Beck might soon run out of genres to ransack but if anyone could successfully merge thrash metal with brass band tunes, it's him.

I can only think this was intentional of Beck, as previous recordings show he has many more facets to his music, than this collection of tracks would have us believe. Mutations being one of the best albums of all time, I eagerly awaited the release of Midnite Vultures rather hoping a for more of the same genius, but alas not so. My recommendation, dust off your old Prince albums, and play those, you can't get better than the original.

Don't be put off, Beck is one of the times great musical talents, buy early albums if you haven't got them already, and try to see him live, his performances will blow you away