Beck
149681
226027626
2008-07-16T14:34:07Z
86.72.210.206
Corrected an album link
{{otheruses1|the musician}}
<!-- '''Beck''''s birth name was Bek, see the sources given. This is not a typo and should not be changed without good reason.-->
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Beck
| Img = Beck 2006-01.jpg
| Img_capt = Beck in concert, playing his primary guitar, a [[Silvertone (instruments)|Vintage Danelectro Silvertone]]. [[September 29]], [[2006]].
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Bek David Campbell<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.tv.com/beck/person/48794/summary.html|title=Beck|publisher=[[TV.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.jewsrock.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=words.view&wordid=3FC1DBF2-9A54-4545-B7F31CC252768881|title=Rocking the Catskills|publisher=Jews Rock}}</ref>
| Born = {{birth date and age|1970|7|8}}<br>[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[indie rock]], [[anti-folk]]
| Instrument = [[Singer|Vocals]], [[guitar]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[Bass guitar|bass]], [[Drum kit|drums]], [[harmonica]], [[percussion]], [[sitar]]
| Years_active = 1988 – present
| Label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]<br>[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]<br>[[Geffen Records|Geffen]]<br>[[XL Recordings|XL]]<br>[[Bong Load Custom Records|Bong Load]]|
| URL = [http://www.beck.com/ www.beck.com]
| Notable_instruments = [[Silvertone (instruments)|1962 Vintage Silvertone Danelectro]]<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.vintagesilvertones.com/forsale_gtr-dano-1449.html|title=Silvertone Model: 1449|publisher=Vintage Silverstones}}</ref>
}}
'''Beck Hansen''' (born '''Bek David Campbell''', [[July 8]], [[1970]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[musician]], [[singer-songwriter]], and [[multi-instrumentalist]] known by the [[stage name]] '''Beck'''. With his [[pop art]] collage of musical styles, oblique and [[irony|ironic]] lyrics, and [[postmodern]] arrangements incorporating [[sample (music)|samples]], [[drum machine]]s, live instrumentation and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being amongst the most idiosyncratic artists of 1990s and 2000s [[alternative rock]].
He rose to underground popularity with his early works, which combined social criticism (as in "[[MTV Makes Me Want to Smoke Crack]]" and "Deep Fried Love") with musical and lyrical experimentation. He first earned wider public attention for his breakthrough [[single (music)|single]] "[[Loser (Beck song)|Loser]]," a [[1994 in music|1994]] hit.
Beck has cited [[The Cars]], [[Mantronix]], [[Gary Wilson (musician)|Gary Wilson]], [[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]], [[Willie Dixon]], [[Bill Broonzy]], and [[Sonic Youth]] among his influences. Two of Beck's most popular<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dxfoxqw5ldje~T5|title=Billboard albums|publisher=[[allmusic]]}}</ref> and acclaimed<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gzfixqrhldae|title=Review|publisher=[[allmusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifqxqtaldhe|title=Review|publisher=[[allmusic]]}}</ref> recordings were ''[[Odelay]]'' (1996) and ''[[Sea Change]]'' (2002). ''Odelay'' was awarded Album of the Year by American magazine ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' and by UK publications ''[[NME]]'' and ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''. ''Odelay'' also received a [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] nomination for Best Album.
==Early life==
Beck was born in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]] to David Campbell, a Canadian musician, and [[Bibbe Hansen]], a visual artist.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.theage.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2002/09/28/1032734372703.html|title=Beck to basics |work=[[The Age]]|date=2002-09-29|author=Lester, Paul }}</ref> His maternal grandfather was [[Al Hansen]], a visual collage artist of the [[Fluxus]] school of art. His paternal grandfather was a [[Presbyterian]] minister, while his maternal grandmother was half [[Jew]]ish;<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.indexmagazine.com/interviews/bibbe_hansen.shtml| title=Bibbe Hansen, 1999| author= Davis, Vaginal| work=Indexmagazine.com| date=1999| accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref> Beck himself is a [[Scientology|Scientologist]], as are his wife and his father. Beck's mother also has [[Norwegian people|Norwegian]] and [[Swedish people|Swedish]] ancestry. When his parents separated, Beck stayed with his mother and brother in Los Angeles, where he was influenced by the city's diverse musical offerings—everything from [[hip hop music|hip hop]] to [[Latin music]] and his mother's art scene—all of which would later reappear in his recorded and published work.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Oct12/0,4670,MusicBeck,00.html|title=Beck Celebrates'The Information' |publisher=[[FOX News]]|date=2006-10-12|author=Schou, Solvej }}</ref>
After dropping out of high school in the mid-1980s, Beck traveled to Europe and developed his musical talent by [[busking]]. In [[Germany]], he spent time with his grandfather [[Al Hansen]]. The late 1980s found him in [[New York City]], involved in the [[punk rock|punk]]-influenced [[anti-folk]] music movement.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/29310356.html?dids=29310356:29310356&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+09%2C+1998&author=CHRISTOPHER+KNIGHT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Art+Review%3B+Move-In+Condition%3B+Santa+Monica+Museum+opens+new+space+with+two+shows+that+share+a+homemade+flavor.&pqatl=google|title=Art Review; Move-In Condition; Santa Monica Museum opens new space with two shows that share a homemade flavor. |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1998-05-09|author=Knight, Christopher }}</ref>
==Career==
===Independent releases===
In 1988, Beck recorded a cassette entitled ''Banjo Story'', which has since become available in [[Bootleg recording|bootleg]] form.<ref name=VH1>{{cite web
| url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/beck/bio.jhtml| title=Beck Biography| work=VH1.com| accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref> He returned to Los Angeles at the turn of the decade. To support himself, he took a variety of low-paying, dead-end jobs, and lived in a shed, all the while continuing to develop his music. Beck also sought out (or sneaked onto) stages at venues all over Los Angeles, from punk clubs to coffee shops and busking on the streets. During this time, he met [[Chris Ballew]] (founder of [[The Presidents of the United States of America]]). They performed on the streets as a duo for a while. Some of his earliest recordings were achieved by working with Tom Grimley at [[Poop Alley Studios]], a part of [[WIN Records]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=IDSB&s_site=idahostatesman&p_multi=IDSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=101E02F60B2D135D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=A President, Beck and the Death of Kurt Cobain |publisher=[[The Idaho Statesman]]|date=2004-04-09 }}</ref>
The founders of [[Bong Load Custom Records]], [[Tom Rothrock]], [[Rob Schnapf]], and Bradshaw Lambert discovered Beck, signing him to their fledgling label.<ref name="bitter" /> "[[Loser (Beck song)|Loser]]", a collaboration between hip hop nuance producer [[Carl Stephenson]] and Beck, created a sensation when radio host [[Chris Douridas]] played the song on [[Morning Becomes Eclectic]], the flagship music program from Santa Monica College radio station [[KCRW]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Eclectic' but Overloaded Host Will Leave KCRW|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1998-01-21|author=Hochman, Steve|page=2}}</ref> That exposure and a subsequent live performance on the show July 23, 1993, led to a bidding war among labels to sign Beck. Eventually, he chose [[Geffen Records]], who offered him terms that included an allowance for the release of independent albums while under contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Beck's Got a Brand New Bag|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1999-11-14|author=Hilburn, Robert|page=8}}</ref> Of all the record labels to offer Beck a contract, Geffen offered him the least amount of money, but the greatest amount of creative freedom.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2007-08-0824-001.shtml|title= Roman Carter, Tom Rothrock Project Relaunches Bong Load Record Label |publisher=[[Bong Load Custom Records]]|date=2007-08-24|author=Tone, Debra }}</ref>
===''Mellow Gold'' and ''Odelay''===
Geffen's official debut release in 1994 of ''[[Mellow Gold]]''—culled from sessions with Rothrock, Schnapf, and Stephenson—made Beck a mainstream success.<ref name="bitter">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/59316866.html?dids=59316866:59316866&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+20%2C+1994&author=STEVE+HOCHMAN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Don%27t+Get+Bitter+on+Us%2C+Beck+Thanks+to+his+rap-folk+song+%60Loser%2C%27+the+23-year-old+musician+is+one+of+the+hottest+figures+to+emerge+from+the+L.A.+rock+scene+in+years.+But+now+that+he%27s+going+national%2C+how+will+he+hold+up+under+all+the+attention%3F&pqatl=google|title=Don't Get Bitter on Us |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1994-02-20|author=Hochman, Steve }}</ref> At the same time, he released ''[[Stereopathetic Soulmanure]]'' on [[Flipside (fanzine)|Flipside]] Records and ''[[One Foot in the Grave (album)|One Foot in the Grave]]'' on independent [[K Records]]. Beck took his act on the road in 1994 with a worldwide tour, followed by a spot on the main stage of the 1995 [[Lollapalooza]] tour. Some critics still panned him as a [[one-hit wonder]], and audiences' familiarity with "Loser" (especially at Lollapalooza), along with their apparent lack of interest in his other work, only reinforced his image as such.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425606/19980730/beck.jhtml|title=Beck Lines Up Next Album For October |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=1998-07-30 }}</ref>
When the time came to record his follow-up to ''Mellow Gold'', Beck enlisted Rothrock and Schnapf as producers and began recording an album of moody, low-key acoustic numbers to showcase his songwriting. The melancholy musical mood has been attributed to the deaths of several people close to Beck, including his grandfather, one of his acknowledged greatest influences.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/28/AR2005092800988.html|title=Live! |work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=2005-09-29 }}</ref> Eventually, Beck shelved the album and pursued a more upbeat approach. Beck was introduced to the [[Dust Brothers]], producers of the Beastie Boys' album ''[[Paul's Boutique]],'' whose cut-and-paste, [[sample (music)|sample]]-heavy production suited Beck's vision of a more fun, accessible album.<ref name="bitter" />
The result, 1996's ''[[Odelay]],'' would put the "one-hit wonder" criticisms to rest. The lead single, "[[Where It's At]]," received heavy airplay, and its video was in constant rotation on MTV. Within the year ''[[Odelay]]'' received praise from ''[[Rolling Stone Magazine|Rolling Stone]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/235624/odelay|title=Odelay review |work=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref> appeared on countless "Best of" lists (it topped the [[Pazz & Jop]] Critics Poll for "Album of the Year"), received [[RIAA certification|double-platinum status]], and earned a number of industry awards, including two [[Grammy Award|Grammys]]. Besides "Where It's At", three other singles were released from the album: "[[Devils Haircut]]", "[[Jack-Ass (song)|Jack-Ass]]" and "[[The New Pollution]]".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425642/19960712/beck.jhtml|title=Beck Is Back |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=1996-07-12 }}</ref>
Beginning in 1993, "Loser" co-writer and ''Mellow Gold'' co-producer [[Carl Stephenson (producer)|Carl Stephenson]] embarked on an experimental [[trip hop]] project which eventually resulted in [[Forest for the Trees]], releasing a self-titled album in 1997 followed by an EP in 1999. Beck contributed to both records, providing spoken word, harmonica, and various other instruments.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/13317450.html?dids=13317450:13317450&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&date=Aug+03%2C+1997&author=Steve+Hochman&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=POP+MUSIC%3B+Can+You+See+Forest+for+the+Trees%3F+Not+Just+Yet&pqatl=google|title=Can You See Forest for the Trees? Not Just Yet |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1997-08-03|author=Hochman, Steve }}</ref>
===''Mutations''===
''[[Odelay]]'' was followed in 1998 by the release of ''[[Mutations (album)|Mutations]]''. Though the album was originally slated for release by Bong Load Records, Geffen intervened and issued the record against Beck's wishes.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/18/12/Ent/music.html |title=Beck on top |publisher=[[Now (magazine)|Now]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/9847,smith,1349,22.html |title=Beck to the Base |publisher=[[The Village Voice]] }}</ref> The artist then sought to void his contracts with both record labels, and in turn the labels sued him for breach of contract. The litigation went on for years and it remains unclear to this day if it has ever been completely resolved.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425589/05041999/beck.jhtml |title=Beck Battles Labels Over Business, Artistic Issues |publisher=[[MTV]] |date=1999-05-04 }}</ref> ''[[Mutations (album)|Mutations]]'' was produced by Beck and [[Nigel Godrich]] (frequent producer and collaborator with [[Radiohead]]) and is believed to have been intended as a stopgap measure before the proper next album. Recorded over two weeks, during which Beck recorded one song a day, the sessions produced fourteen songs. ''Mutations'' was a departure from the electronic density of ''[[Odelay]]'' and shows heavy [[folk music|folk]] and [[blues]] influences. Songs on the album consisted of older tracks, some dating back as early as 1994.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-26 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5934840/new_beck_due_in_the_fall |title=New Beck Due in the Fall |work=[[Rolling Stones]] |date=2002-05-17 }}</ref>
During 1998, Beck's art collaborations with his grandfather Al Hansen were featured in an exhibition entitled "Beck & Al Hansen: Playing With Matches", which showcased solo and collaborative [[collage]], assemblage, [[drawing]] and poetry works.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://stewoo.net/beck/gallery/hansen_art/ |title=Playing with Matches |publisher=Stewoo}}</ref> The show toured from the [[Santa Monica Museum of Art]] to galleries in New York City and [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], in Canada. A catalog of the show was published by Plug In Editions/Smart Art Press.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/29151145.html?dids=29151145:29151145&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+03%2C+1998&author=Kristine+McKenna&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=ART%3B+Beck%27s+First+Sampling%3B+The+pop+star+learned+about+collage+from+his+larger-than+life+grandfather%2C+Al+Hansen.+A+Santa+Monica+show+connects+their+careers.&pqatl=google |title=ART; Beck's First Sampling; The pop star learned about collage from his larger-than life grandfather, Al Hansen. A Santa Monica show connects their careers. |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1998-05-03 |author=McKenna, Kristine }}</ref>
In 1999, Beck was awarded Best Alternative Music Performance for ''Mutations'' at the 42nd Grammy Awards.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/50274181.html?dids=50274181:50274181&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+24%2C+2000&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=The+Grammys+2000%3B+Other+Winners&pqatl=google |title=The Grammys 2000; Other Winners |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2000-02-24 }}</ref>
===''Midnite Vultures''===
In November, Geffen released the much-anticipated ''[[Midnite Vultures]]'',<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/1999/12/12-03-99tdc/12-03-99darts-5.asp |title=Midnite Vultures, Geffen Records |publisher=[[The Daily Collegian (Penn State)]] |date=1999-12-03 }}</ref> which was supported by an extensive world tour. For Beck, it was a return to the high-energy performances that had been his trademark as far back as Lollapalooza. The live stage set included a red bed that descended from the ceiling for the song "[[Debra (Beck song)|Debra]]", and the touring band was supplemented by a brass section.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83419250.html |title=Beck Revives Soul of '70s, Singer Keeps Crowd Rocking |publisher=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=2000-05-08 }}</ref> ''Midnite Vultures'' was nominated for Best Album at the 43rd Annual [[Grammy Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/66037416.html?dids=66037416:66037416&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+04%2C+2001&author=GEOFF+BOUCHER&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=THE+43RD+ANNUAL+GRAMMY+NOMINATIONS%3B+Grammys+Cast+a+Wider+Net+Than+Usual%3B+Awards+*+Breaking+recent+tradition%2C+the+academy%27s+nominations+are+spread+out+among+many+acts.&pqatl=google |title=Grammys Cast a Wider Net Than Usual |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2001-01-04 |author=Boucher, Geoff }}</ref>
Beck released a number of [[B-side]]s and soundtrack-only songs as well, including "Deadweight" from the ''[[A Life Less Ordinary]]'' soundtrack, "Midnite Vultures" (curiously, not on the album of the same name), a cover of [[The Korgis]]' "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" which appeared in the 2004 movie ''[[Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind]]'' and [[David Bowie]]'s "[[Diamond Dogs (song)|Diamond Dogs]]" from ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'' He is also credited on the French band [[Air (band)|Air]]’s 2001 album ''[[10 000 Hz Legend]]'' for vocals on the songs "Don't Be Light" and "The Vagabond" (as well as harmonica on the latter). He duetted with [[Emmylou Harris]] on ''[[Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons]]'', performing "Sin City".<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/beck/articles/story/5919420/beck_turns_new_projects_to_gold |title=Beck Turns New Projects To Gold |work=[[Rolling Stones]] |date=1998-04-04 }}</ref>
===''Sea Change''===
In 2001, the ''Beck'' EP, which consists of B-sides from the ''[[Midnite Vultures]]'' era, was released. The EP was only available from Beck's website, and only 10,000 copies were printed.
In 2002, Beck released ''[[Sea Change]]'', which, like ''Mutations'', was produced by Nigel Godrich. It became Beck's first US Top 10 album, reaching #8. The album also received critical acclaim, earning five stars from ''Rolling Stone'' (the magazine's highest rating) and placing second in the [[Pazz & Jop]] Critics Poll for 2002. ''Sea Change'' was conceptualized around one unifying theme: the end of a relationship. The album featured string arrangements by Beck's father, David Campbell, and a sonically dense mix reminiscent of ''Mutations''. Although some radio singles were released, no commercial singles were made available to the public. In August 2002, prior to the release of ''Sea Change'', Beck embarked on a solo acoustic tour of small theaters and halls, during which he played several songs from the forthcoming album. The post-release ''Sea Change'' tour featured [[The Flaming Lips]] as Beck's opening and backing band.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/165933/review/6067359/seachange|title=Beck - Sea Change |work=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref> A song Beck co-wrote with [[William Orbit]], "[[Feel Good Time]]", was recorded by pop singer [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] for inclusion on the soundtrack of the 2003 film ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.nme.com/news/beck/14461|title=Beck Tickled Pink! |work=[[NME]]|date=2003-06-16 }}</ref>
===''Guero'' and ''The Information''===
In 2004, Beck returned to the studio to work on his sixth major-label studio album.<ref name="finished">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496060/20050119/index.jhtml?headlines=true|title=Finished Version Of That Beck LP You Downloaded Due In March |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2005-01-19|author=Perez, Rodrigo }}</ref> The record, ''[[Guero]]'', was produced by the Dust Brothers and [[Tony Hoffer]] and features a collaboration with [[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]] of [[The White Stripes]]; it marked a return to ''Odelay''-era sound.<ref name="finished" /> The album was released in March 2005 and enjoyed critical acclaim from most mainstream press, earning four of five stars from ''Rolling Stone'',<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/7207917/review/7209508/guero|title=Guero review |work=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref> as well as a "Critic's Choice" recognition from ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/21/arts/music/21choi.html|title=New CD's |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2005-03-21|author=Pareles, Jon }}</ref> The album received a less enthusiastic response from Beck's dedicated fan base; the album received a relatively low 6.6 (out of 10) score by ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'' alongside a lukewarm and disappointed review.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/b/beck/guero.shtml|title=Beck: Guero: Pitchfork Record Review |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] }}</ref> Nonetheless, the album debuted at #2 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charts, pushing 162,000 copies in the first week and giving Beck his best week ever in terms of commercial sales and chart position.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000872145|title=50's 'Massacre' Staves Off Beck's 'Guero' |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2005-04-06|author=Whitmire, Margo }}</ref> Since the release of ''Guero'', the album's first single, "E-Pro" (which samples the drum track from the Beastie Boys hit "[[So What'cha Want]]"), has been well received by the mainstream rock community, receiving significant play time on mainstream radio.<ref>{{cite news|title=A loser's guide to quality |publisher=[[The Record]]|date=2005-03-29|author=Newman, Melinda}}</ref> The second single, "[[Girl (Beck song)|Girl]]," received decent play time on mainstream radio and heavy airplay on college and independent radio.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/09/06/bmbeck06.xml|title= Pulling our strings |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2006-06-09 }}</ref> The third and final single of the album was "Hell Yes".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510472/20050927/index.jhtml?headlines=true|title=Beck, Spike Jonze Hard At Work On Mysterious, 'Weird' Clip For 'Hell Yes' |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2005-09-27|author=Montgomery, James }}</ref>
On [[February 1]], [[2005]], Beck released an EP featuring four remixes of songs from ''Guero'' by independent artists who use sounds from various early 8-bit video game devices like the [[Nintendo Game Boy]]. The EP, ''GameBoy Variations'', featured "Ghettochip Malfunction" [Hell Yes] and "GameBoy/Homeboy" [Que' Onda Guero], both remixed by the band 8-Bit, and also had "Bad Cartridge" [E-Pro] and "Bit Rate Variation in B-Flat" [Girl], the last two being remixed by Paza {The X-Dump}. The EP cover art shows a long-haired person [[headbanging]] to his Game Boy, which is plugged into an [[amplifier]] like an electric guitar. This EP was featured in an issue of ''[[Nintendo Power]]''. A music video for "Gameboy/Homeboy" was made by [[Wyld File]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/arts/music/24wein.html?pagewanted=all&position=|title=Air on a Game Boy
|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2005-04-24|author=Weiner, Jonah }}</ref>
[[Image:12beckpuppets-cropped.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Beck plays at the Sasquatch Music Festival in George, Washington. The screens show puppets that emulated the band throughout the show.]]
Beck performed at the music and arts festival [[Bonnaroo]] in [[Manchester, Tennessee|Manchester]], [[Tennessee]] on [[June 17]], [[2006]], with a set that featured many songs from ''Guero''. In addition to his band, Beck was accompanied by a group of puppets, dressed as him and members of his band. Live video feed of the puppets' performance was broadcast on video screens to the audience. The puppet show was included throughout his 2006 world tour.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001921757|title=Bonnaroo Goes Rock With Radiohead, Petty, Beck |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2006-02-01|author=Waddell, Ray }}</ref>
Beck's seventh major-label studio album, ''[[The Information]]'', which again reunited him with Nigel Godrich, was released on [[October 3]], [[2006]]. The release marked the first time in seven years that Beck released studio albums in consecutive years. The album reportedly took more than three years to make and has been described as "quasi hip-hop". It came with a sheet of [[sticker]]s, which were to be used to "make your own album cover." Because of this, ''The Information'' was disqualified by the Official Chart Company from entering the [[UK albums chart]], but in the US it gave Beck his third straight Top 10 studio album peak on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], reaching #7. <ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-25|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535009/20060623/beck.jhtml?headlines=true|title=Beck Giving Fans Sticky Fingers With Quasi-Hip-Hop Album|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2006-06-26|author=Montgomery, James}}</ref> The lead US single, "Nausea", officially went to radio on [[September 5]], [[2006]]. In the UK, the first single was "Cellphone's Dead".<ref name="FMQB">{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=259255 |title= "Beck Reveals More Information" |accessdate=2008-04-25 |publisher=FMQB}}</ref> On [[September 27]], [[2006]], Beck released a [[Yahoo!]] Music Unlimited exclusive track, "[[Think I'm in Love (Beck song)|Think I'm in Love]]", before the album was released. A non-album single, "[[Timebomb (song)|Timebomb]]", was released on [[iTunes]] on [[August 21]], [[2007]], and the limited edition [[vinyl]] 12" was released on [[November 2]], [[2007]], with an instrumental version of the song on the B-side. In December, 2007, it was announced that "Timebomb" had been nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/beck/8026|title=Beck: The Information |work=[[NME]]|date=2006-09-22|author= }}</ref>
===''Modern Guilt''===
{{main|Modern Guilt}}
In February 2008, Beck stated in an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that he had been working on a new album "with an unnamed producer" and that he expected it to be released by the end of the year. In early March 2008, the unnamed producer was revealed to be [[Danger Mouse]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a91062/danger-mouse-producing-new-beck-album.html|title= Danger Mouse producing new Beck album |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=2008-03-07|author=Reynolds, Simon }}</ref> On [[May 5]], [[2008]], [[MTV]].com revealed that Beck would release an as-yet untitled 10-song album within the next four to six weeks. It was also reported that singer [[Cat Power]] had contributed to the album.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-09|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/05/05/beck-set-to-release-new-album-stat|title=Beck Set to Release New Album, Stat! |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2008-05-05}}</ref> The new album will be released on Interscope in North America and on XL Records in the rest of the world, although no official street date has been announced.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003800132|title=New Beck Album Due This Summer|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref>
On [[May 12]], [[2008]], the [[Rolling Stone]] website revealed that the new album is titled ''[[Modern Guilt]]''. On [[May 19]], Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show premiered single "[[Chemtrails (song)|Chemtrails]]",[http://www.beck.com/news] and it was also made available on Beck's MySpace and website. In early June, Beck performed several songs from the new album at [[The Echo]] in Los Angeles. ''Modern Guilt'' was released on [[July 7]], [[2008]] in the UK and Europe on [[XL Recordings]] and on [[July 8]], [[2008]], in North America on DGC. [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/51243-beck-reveals-full-imodern-guilti-details-at-last]
==Musical style==
Beck's musical style has been considered [[alternative music|alternative]]<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-06|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429687/19970227/beck.jhtml|title=Beck, Braxton, Babyface Share Grammy Wealth |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=1997-02-27 }}</ref> and [[indie music|indie]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Old school night for 'The O.C.'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=2005-02-27|page=E47|author= Hochman, Steve}}</ref> He has been known to play many of the instruments in his music himself.<ref name="the information">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-06|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/11852928/review/11925431/the_information|title=The Information review |work=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref> Beck has been known to synthesize several musical elements together in his music, including [[Folk music|folk]], [[hip-hop]], [[funk]], and [[blues]].<ref name="guero">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-06|url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/music/pop/reviews/11605/|title=White-Boy Shuffle |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=2005-03-28|author=Beato, Greg }}</ref> He has also taken music from Los Angeles as a reference point in his songs.<ref name="guero" />
[[Pitchfork Media]] applauded ''[[Midnite Vultures]]'', saying, "Beck wonderfully blends [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Talking Heads]], ''[[Paul's Boutique]]'', "[[Shake Your Bon-Bon]]", and [[Mathlete]] on ''Midnite Vultures'', his most consistent and playful album yet." The review continued to comment on Beck, saying that his mix of goofy piety and ambiguous intent helped the album.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-06|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15360-midnite-vultures?artist_title=15360-midnite-vultures|title=Midnite Vultures review |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] }}</ref> ''[[Sea Change]]'' was called "evocative music", with [[country rock]] roots. The songs on the album also had "a warm, enveloping sound" with the help of his acoustic guitar.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-06|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A7247gjir46ix|title= Sea Change review |publisher=[[Allmusic]] }}</ref>
==Personal life==
From 1991 to 2000, Beck was in a relationship with designer Leigh Limon. Their breakup is said to have inspired his 2002 album, ''[[Sea Change]]''.<ref name="Salon">{{cite news | title=Guess I'm Doing Fine | date = [[2002-10-02]] | url = http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/music/feature/2002/10/02/beck/|publisher=[[Salon.com]]}}</ref> He wrote most of the songs for the album in one week after the breakup.<ref name="Time">{{cite news | title=Beck Gets (Kind of) Blue | date = [[2002-09-22]] | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101020930-353545,00.html|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> Beck married actress [[Marissa Ribisi]], the twin sister of actor [[Giovanni Ribisi]], in April 2004,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-93658028.html|title=Beck Marries Marissa Ribisi |publisher=[[United Press International]]|date=2004-04-20 }}</ref> shortly before the birth of their son, Cosimo Henri.<ref name="Spin">{{cite news | title= Beck Expecting Baby No. 2? | publisher=Spin | date = [[2006-10-18]] | url = http://www.spin.com/articles/beck-expecting-baby-no-2 | accessdate = 2008-07-13}}</ref> Ribisi gave birth to their daughter, Tuesday, in 2007.<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news | last = Itzkoff | first = Dave | title = In a Chaotic Industry, Beck Abides | publisher = The New York Times | date = [[2008-07-06]] | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/arts/music/06dave.html?pagewanted=2 | accessdate = 2008-07-13}}</ref>
Beck has been involved in [[Scientology]] for most of his life; his wife is also a second-generation Scientologist. Marissa and her twin brother, Giovanni, were delivered by Beck's mother, Bibbe.<ref name="Celebrific">{{cite news | title=Scientologists Beck & Marissa Ribisi had their second child, daughter Tuesday in June 2007 | url = http://www.celebrific.com/scientologists-beck-marissa-ribisi-expecting-second-child/|publisher=Celebrific}}</ref>
Beck publicly acknowledged his affiliation with the [[Church of Scientology]] for the first time in an interview published in the ''[[New York Times Magazine]]'' on [[March 6]], [[2005]]. Further confirmation came in an interview with the Irish ''[[Sunday Tribune]]'s'' ''i Magazine'' on [[June 11]], [[2005]], where he was quoted as saying, "Yeah, I'm a Scientologist. My father has been a Scientologist for about 35 years, so I grew up in and around it." When questioned by the interviewer about Scientology's core beliefs, he replied,
{{cquote|"What it actually is is just sort of, uh, you know, I think it's about philosophy and sort of, uh, all these kinds of, you know, ideals that are common to a lot of religions....There's nothing fantastical... just a real deep grassroots concerted effort for humanitarian causes.I don't know if you know the stuff they have. It's unbelievable the stuff they are doing. Education... they have free centres all over the place for poor kids. They have the number one drug rehabilitation programme in the entire world (called [[Narconon]]). It has a 90-something percent success rate... When you look at the actual facts and not what's conjured in people's minds that's all bullshit to me because I've actually seen stuff first hand."<ref name="Sunday Tribune">{{cite news | title=A Sort of Homecoming | publisher=Sunday Tribune | date = [[2005-06-11]] | location = Dublin | url = http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?%5Fscope=TribuneFTF&id=65801&SUBCAT=&%5Fticket=VXGRP9F9CHVR6JL1HONDNPWG9LLDNVP5TRRIVQNAHNUEGMQEKKVFURUQ4YZ9ANWRALKACJ5G0QRFK1SL9NTGN0O9CHUTXSQFIQ0HHMTEDWFSPGSGX4TFMVR9ANWP4879CHVTTRRLQNNAGOSEARY9CHZJTRRMMNNAGSSEASN9CHYNTRRMKNNAHPSEARX9CHVRF9J | accessdate = 2007-01-06}}</ref>}}
==Appearances in media==
Beck has performed on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' six times; these shows were hosted by [[Kevin Spacey]], [[Bill Paxton]], [[Christina Ricci]], [[Jennifer Garner]], [[Tom Brady]] and [[Hugh Laurie]]. During his 2006 performance in the Hugh Laurie episode, Beck was accompanied by the famous on-stage puppets used during his world tour. He has made two cameo appearances as himself on ''Saturday Night Live'': one in a sketch about medicinal marijuana, and one in a VH1 ''[[Behind the Music]]'' parody that featured "Fat Albert & the Junkyard Gang".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-31512469_ITM|title=Bright spots scarce on 'SNL'. |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=2006-10-30|author=Ryan, Maureen }}</ref> He has also performed on [[The Late Show with David Letterman]] alongside [[Borat]] in a 2006 episode.
Beck performed a guest voice as himself in [[Matt Groening]]'s animated show ''[[Futurama]]'', in the episode "[[Bendin' in the Wind]]". He performed in episode 10 of the fourth season of ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]'', in which the producer character Artie ([[Rip Torn]]) referred to him as a "hillbilly from outer space". He also made a very brief voice appearance in 1998 cartoon feature film, ''[[The Rugrats Movie]]'', and guest-starred as himself in a 1997 episode of "[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]" entitled "Edelweiss".<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-04-26|url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw10977.html|title=Futurama Volume Three DVD |publisher=[[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi]]|date=2004-05-03 }}</ref>
==Discography==
{{main|Beck discography}}
* ''[[Mellow Gold]]'' (1994)
* ''[[One Foot in the Grave (album)|One Foot in the Grave]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Stereopathetic Soulmanure]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Odelay]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Mutations (album)|Mutations]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Midnite Vultures]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Sea Change]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Guero]]'' (2005)
* ''[[The Information]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Modern Guilt]]'' (2008)
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Portal|Scientology|Scientology e meter blue.jpg}}
{{commons|Beck}}
{{wikiquote}}
*{{MySpace|beck|Beck}}
* [http://www.beck.com Official website]
* {{imdb name|id=0065059|name=Beck (I)}}
* [http://www.modernguilt.com Modern Guilt Website]
* [http://spin.com/articles/beck SPIN's Beck Archives]
{{Beck}}
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