Beck has been eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since 2019 and was nominated once, in 2022. That’s not a long time compared to some other snubs but he still feels overdue.
The singer-songwriter has had commercial success (a top ten hit in ‘Loser,’ several Gold and Platinum albums), strong critical acclaim, and industry recognition (he has won eight Grammys and been nominated for Album of the Year three times, winning for 2015’s Morning Phase).
Today’s selection is a great example of how opinions change over time. Back in late 2014, I ranked Beck’s Morning Phase as my #13 album of the decade so far.
Now, five years later, I have it at #12 on my whole-decade list. And a few of the albums I ranked above it back then aren’t on this list at all.
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 