My #1 album of 2002 showed up in the top spot of plenty of critics’ lists as well. Beck’s Sea Change was just that, a complete change of direction for an artist better known for hip-hop beats and stream-of-consciousness lyrics.
This album, inspired by the end of a relationship, supports the theory that heartbreak is often the best muse. Beck is in full wallow mode here, drowning his sad-sack lyrics in waves of ambient strings and acoustic guitar.
Beck recently released a new track, harkening back to his days as a playful pop-funk mixmaster. That comes on the heels of his Grammy win for Best Album for Morning Phase, a somber and elegant meditation on mortality and lost love.
Let’s face it. The man can do pretty much anything. Even Kanye became a fan after initially threatening to protest Beck’s win over Beyoncé
Like most of the world, I assumed Kanye West was joking when he started to take the stage following Beck’s Grammy win for Album of the Year.
After he became a national punchline and punching bag for interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, I figured Kanye had developed a sense of humor.
Morning Phase, Beck’s unofficial sequel to his melancholy classic Sea Change, turned out to be every bit as good as its predecessor.
Filled with minor key ruminations on love, loss and rebirth, the record makes for one hell of a wallowing good time.
Earlier this year, Beck released a sequel (in spirit, if not title) to 2002’s gorgeous break-up album, Sea Change. Morning Phase has the same sad acoustic ambiance of its predecessor, but it is concerned more with mortality and self-fulfillment than heartbreak.
Meet Me In Montauk 