Beck

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Beck

Beck

With just two turntables and microphone Beck became one of the most popular artists of all time, becoming more popular than Jeff Beck somehow. Okay, maybe more than the turntables and microphone, there was harmonicas and acoustic guitars and strings and the like. From 1988 to 1992 Beck would record and self release tapes. Equal parts Daniel Johnston, early Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. He would finally get to indie-label status with 1993’s Golden Feeling. 1994’s Stereopathetic Soulmanure followed, as did 1994’s One Foot In The Grave (containing the awesome song “Rowboat”, which Johnny Cash would later cover.). But where a lot of people, including myself, really see his discography starting, the Beck we all know and love today, is with 1994’s Mellow Gold, containing the hit “Loser”. I remember being at Best Buy and trying to get into Beck, and the guy working there suggested this one. Although it is a personal favorite of mine, it is a hard sell and entry point for any new Beck fan. It is a beautiful portrait of where Beck was at the moment, a perfect snapshot: still rooted in his lo-fi DIY roots, but about to master the studio and make it his next instrument. Beck’s single “Loser” brought him into the mainstream where he would stay until today. After Mellow Gold came my personal favorite, 1996’s Odelay. One of the best albums from the 90’s, scratch that, one of the best albums ever, it is a magic-carpet-ride through samples and strong songwriting. “Where It’s At”, “Jackass”, “Devils Haircut”… this album never grows old. It’s timeless. 1998’s disco-funk-R&B fusion Midnite Vultures could (and should!) be considered the greatest album dedicated to partying ever. 2002’s emotional Sea Change gave all future musicians the perfect blueprint for what a break up album should feel and sound like. Odelay’s spiritual companion piece Guero (Spanish slang for “white-boy”)  came next, and was the first Beck album I bought (and was also his best performing album: reaching #2 on the Billboard charts.) 2006’s The Information and 2008’s Danger Mouse produced Modern Guilt was a double-hitter, and then the Grammy award winning and Sea Change companion piece (in sound if not spirit) Morning Phase. Finally, to get all caught up to speed, 2014’s Colors and last year’s (2019’s) Hyper Space. From Odelay to Guero, Beck really ignited an artistic streak like no other. Never failing to hop genres; Country, hip-hop, funk, ballads, it’s all there. It’s hard to believe Beck will be 50 this year, he seems ageless, as does his music. I had the pleasure of seeing Beck in St. Louis in 2014 and it was one of the best concerts I’ve seen. He is a true showman. I mean- don’t forget his legendary dance moves. Though he may be seen as major-label-lifer now, a mean shit, he is a Grammy winner after all, before he was mainstream he was a drifter. His backstory is interesting: When his parents split, he and his younger brother stayed with their mother. Beck dropped out of school at the age of 14 and drifted around for about a decade, ending up back in Los Angeles. While playing some open mic events, he got noticed by the little local label, Bong Load Custom Records. In 1993, "Loser" was released to the world in a limited pressing of 500 copies and sent out to radio DJs across the U.S. The song became quite popular, and Geffen signed Beck in November of 1993, giving him the freedom to work with independent labels and to make "uncommercial" music. He is the Chameleon of Indie Rock… or at least he was at one point. Three’s nor a genre he hasn't hit. Don’t forget personal favorite "MTV Makes Me Wanna Smoke Crack". His hidden gems and b-sides are just as beautiful as the hits. That's how you know you have a true artist. I would check out his discography. As far as where to start, it all depends on what kind of mood you're in. Like I said, there’s no genre this man hasn’t dipped his toes in. And god-bless him for that. That takes nerve. Some musicians play it safe, and Beck is not one to do that. Beck: From DIY cassette tape demos, to indie labels, to Grammy's... All hands on deck… let’s give it up for...

Beck