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Beck — The New Pollution
Album: Odelay
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1394









Released: 1996
Length: 3:37
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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She's got a cigarette on each arm
She's got the lily-white cavity crazes
She's got a carburetor tied to the moon
Pink gods looking to the fruit of the ages
She's alone in the new pollution
She's alone in the new pollution
She's got a hand on a wheel of pain
She can talk to the mangling strangers
She can sleep in the fiery barn
Throwing troubles to the dying embers
She's alone in the new pollution
She's alone in the new pollution

She's alone in the new pollution
She's alone in the new pollution
She's got a paradise camouflage
Like a whip-crack sending me shivers
She's a boat through a strip-mine ocean
Riding low on the drunken rivers
She's alone in the new pollution
She's alone in the new pollution
Comments (135)add comment
Takes me right back to the winter of 1996-1997 when I heard this track late at night on one of the DirecTV "radio station" music channels.
Posted 6 months ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Where else but RP are you going to hear this immediately after Patsy Cline's Crazy?
Posted 2 years ago by BeanCrusher    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
BEWARE SCIENTOLOGISTS!


In a world full of religions primarily designed to control poor idiots can't rich idiots have one to control them too?
Posted 2 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
What an album - one of the very best of the 90s - so eclectic - just had it all going on yet not clunky - got some skill, has Beck
Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
I’m hearing a influence of Lionrock, or is it vice-versa?
Posted 3 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
That opening always cracks me up
Posted 3 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
Those lyrics... Whatever Beck was smokin - pass it around! 
Posted 3 years ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by JiffyPark    [ Reply ]
 Dosequis wrote:
Beck Hansen has done it again!
But this time he stole 3 songs to "create" 1 of his own.

Beatles 

Taxman
Tomorrow Never Knows
Blue Jay Way



The only "New Pollution" is his lame attempt at creating something original.








If you think TAXMAN or any other song, by the Beatles or anyone, doesn't borrow from multiple sources to create something new, you're kind of missing the point of art.

This song might well borrow from all those sources, and more (though, Blue Jay Way?), but it sure sounds like itself.
Posted 5 years ago by TJOpootertoot    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit} Like Beatles
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Add a little bit of The Jam to that mix too, if you will.

 
Probably you mean Start by The Jam. ... The bass line was borrowed from The Beatles "Taxman," and The Jam was surprised there was never a court case. (*Wikipedia)
Posted 6 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 Dosequis wrote:
Beck Hansen has done it again!
But this time he stole 3 songs to "create" 1 of his own.

Beatles 

Taxman
Tomorrow Never Knows
Blue Jay Way

The only "New Pollution" is his lame attempt at creating something original.

                                                         

 
Add a little bit of The Jam to that mix too, if you will.
Posted 6 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Beck Hansen has done it again!
But this time he stole 3 songs to "create" 1 of his own.

Beatles 

Taxman
Tomorrow Never Knows
Blue Jay Way

The only "New Pollution" is his lame attempt at creating something original.



                                                         
Posted 11 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
 jt1 wrote:


...getting a little off topic here, but I am a little curious...by your definition, can you suggest a basis for a society that you would not condsider to be a 'criminal organisations designed to subjugate the followers and deny human dignity'?


 
yes and all goverment institutions, coporates, societys...they all the same....as religions.... 
Posted 11 years ago by zappa501    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

Anarchism. Individuals and communities freely associating without being ruled. Whether or not you think it's a viable societal solution, it is a valid effort.
 

That's a very interesting link...  I am still trying to fully grasp the possibilities of anarchism...  it does seem impossible in material reality for everybody to be so enlightened, but maybe one day, if humanity does not self-destruct in the meantime...

I am also trying to completely understand social anarchism...  I find it all very interesting, if somewhat unrealistic at present... imagine all the people, sharing all the world...

love this groovy song...  everybody in my churches be dancing...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 jt1 wrote:
...getting a little off topic here, but I am a little curious...by your definition, can you suggest a basis for a society that you would not condsider to be a 'criminal organisations designed to subjugate the followers and deny human dignity'?

 
Anarchism. Individuals and communities freely associating without being ruled. Whether or not you think it's a viable societal solution, it is a valid effort.
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:

All religions are criminal organisations designed to subjugate the followers and deny human dignity as are all governments, hardly a breath between the two....that's my take on it. Live life and stop worrying about what happens when you die, because you won't be there to care.

Anyone else hear "Taxman" in this? 
 

...getting a little off topic here, but I am a little curious...by your definition, can you suggest a basis for a society that you would not condsider to be a 'criminal organisations designed to subjugate the followers and deny human dignity'?

Posted 11 years ago by jt1    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:

All religions are criminal organisations designed to subjugate the followers and deny human dignity as are all governments, hardly a breath between the two....that's my take on it. Live life and stop worrying about what happens when you die, because you won't be there to care.

Anyone else hear "Taxman" in this? 
 
I stand corrected!   {#Cheers}
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:
Cynaera wrote:

romeotuma's hotel room!!!!  I'm dancin' like a fool... {#Bananasplit}
 
Everybody in my church be dancing...
 
 
with a star dust, a gentle man in a hotel room or outside the church  yes, I'm dancing, as it is always, defying gravity...
 
Posted 11 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
After hearing some of Beck's Sampling revealed here on RP, I gotta wonder if *more* sounds I hear in his cuts are sampled
Posted 11 years ago by max_p    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

romeotuma's hotel room!!!!  I'm dancin' like a fool... {#Bananasplit}
 
Everybody in my church be dancing...

 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Cuz' I'm the taxman...and you're working for no one but ME!
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

I am not disagreeing with you.  But my point was the Tom Cruise's organization is not a religion.  It has been rightly banned in Germany because it is deemed a criminal organization.  I think Beck is most likely a victim, but at some point you have to wonder, Is he a perp like Cruise?    I do not think the same of Christianity.    I find it so sad that these talented artists are a part of this org (victims usually). 

I will not sit by and let people defend it as a religion and cry "Bigotry".

I am no fan of religion, but that is not fair to legitimate religions.
 
All religions are criminal organisations designed to subjugate the followers and deny human dignity as are all governments, hardly a breath between the two....that's my take on it. Live life and stop worrying about what happens when you die, because you won't be there to care.

Anyone else hear "Taxman" in this? 
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Beck's first ever, 'Mop Hurdling' event was going very well, until it started to rain.
Posted 12 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
SCIENTOLOGIST!
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

I am not disagreeing with you.  But my point was the Tom Cruise's organization is not a religion.  It has been rightly banned in Germany because it is deemed a criminal organization.  I think Beck is most likely a victim, but at some point you have to wonder, Is he a perp like Cruise?    I do not think the same of Christianity.    I find it so sad that these talented artists are a part of this org (victims usually). 

I will not sit by and let people defend it as a religion and cry "Bigotry".

I am no fan of religion, but that is not fair to legitimate religions.
 
More akin to a cult thinks I, than a criminal organization.  Mind you if they committ crimes they should be prosecuted.

But mostly they are just a bunch of foolish believers in psuedo science.  Of course I get most of my info on them from South Park.

And I don't any problem watching Cruise or Travolta or Giovanni Ribisi (Beck's brother in law) on screen for that matter.

And yeah I love Beck's music.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

I know I'm inviting the cry of religious persecution for failing to pretend that no one has ever done anything horrible in the name of Jesus, but read this if you were asking an honest question and want a serious answer.
 
I am not disagreeing with you.  But my point was the Tom Cruise's organization is not a religion.  It has been rightly banned in Germany because it is deemed a criminal organization.  I think Beck is most likely a victim, but at some point you have to wonder, Is he a perp like Cruise?    I do not think the same of Christianity.    I find it so sad that these talented artists are a part of this org (victims usually). 

I will not sit by and let people defend it as a religion and cry "Bigotry".

I am no fan of religion, but that is not fair to legitimate religions.
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
This sounds like an alternate version of Beatles 'Taxman'. Particularly the rhythm section bass and drums.
 

More the driving rythm of Tomorrow Never Knows, but I get Taxman as well.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
This sounds like an alternate version of Beatles 'Taxman'. Particularly the rhythm section bass and drums.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Whoa. Okay, let's get our facts straight. Since when is the KKK a religion or religious organization?

 
I know I'm inviting the cry of religious persecution for failing to pretend that no one has ever done anything horrible in the name of Jesus, but read this if you were asking an honest question and want a serious answer.
Posted 12 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
sax..sax..
Posted 12 years ago by 24noir    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}
Posted 12 years ago by kanga311    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:

Everybody in my hotel room be dancing...  love it...


 
 



got any tap-dancers?
Posted 13 years ago by srose96    [ Reply ]
groovy, but you gotta have Midnite Vultures to really get down!
Posted 13 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
I think a more apt analogy would be Frank Sinatra and his ties to the mafia.
 
Isn't that just another form of prejudice against a group with different socioeconomic views than yourself?

When will the bigotry end? >sigh<

Why can't we all — Mafioso, Scientologists and Music Lovers — just get along?

(fwiw, RDO, I do like your post and thought it an excellent comparison. I'm just being annoying today because I'm anxious about something unrelated to this discussion and it's spilling over :)

Posted 13 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 pixel-pusher wrote:
Where can you go to dance where they play stuff like this?
 
romeotuma's hotel room!!!!  I'm dancin' like a fool... {#Bananasplit}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Whoa. Okay, let's get our facts straight. Since when is the KKK a religion or religious organization?

 

By George I think he's got it!!!!
Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
What if he were a member of the KKK?  Would it make a difference then.  I am sick of this false cover of religious freedom.  Learn the facts before you speak.
 
Whoa. Okay, let's get our facts straight. Since when is the KKK a religion or religious organization?

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
BEWARE SCIENTOLOGISTS!
 
Oh, shut up already. And keep your religious bigotry to yourself.

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Ulises wrote:

Who cares what his religion is or is not.  Does it change his music?

 

What if he were a member of the KKK?  Would it make a difference then?  I am sick of this false cover of religious freedom.  Learn the facts before you speak.

Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
BEWARE SCIENTOLOGISTS!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 pixel-pusher wrote:
Where can you go to dance where they play stuff like this?
 
I danced to this at the Crazy House last time I was in Liverpool.  Beck always gives me momentary happy glimpses through the doors of perception to my formative years.  Especially stuff from Odelay. 

Posted 13 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Where can you go to dance where they play stuff like this?
Posted 13 years ago by pixel-pusher    [ Reply ]
Nah.
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:


Understanding, I think, just how volatile this is, but...I don't get accepting/rejecting art because of the artist's religious beliefs. Springsteen's Catholic. Dylan's Jewish. Richard Thompson is a Sufi muslim. They're all fabulous musicians, and that's what counts, right? Well...RIGHT?
 
I think a more apt analogy would be Frank Sinatra and his ties to the mafia.

Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Somebody please tell this bad singer to get the marbles out of his mouth and get off the downers he's on so that he may have a chance on actually being a talented vocalist.
Posted 13 years ago by Shawnmcc    [ Reply ]
 gandalfbmg wrote:
Favoritist Beck song ever...
 


Posted 14 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Gawd, my kids played the hell outta' this back in the day. I didn't mind. {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Favoritist Beck song ever...
Posted 14 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
{#Bounce}
Posted 14 years ago by Raechel    [ Reply ]
 spaced_7 wrote:
Love the intro. 
 

I had that as my cellular ringtone for the longest time!  It makes a nice loop.

Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Love the intro. 
Posted 14 years ago by spaced_7    [ Reply ]
 nigelr wrote:
Sounds like the Beatles during their Maharishi period..........
Agree!

Beck is so original, I usually don't hear anything but his own bad self in his music. However, WonderLizard has pointed out that, like Prince, Mr. Hansen actually has an encyclopedic grasp of Rock history and genre.

I guess it's part of his genius that he can incorporate such a distinctive Beatles homage without sounding totally derivative.
Viva Beck! {#Dancingbanana_2}


Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
wow is he uninteresting.
Posted 14 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
 Welly wrote:
{#Dancingbanana_2}
 
Public Service Announcement Here!

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 14 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the Beatles during their Maharishi period..........
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
I'm a charter member of the Beck is Dreck club. {#Cool}
 
If you're referring to Glenn Beck then we agree! I'm also a member of that club...howdy! {#Wave}

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
I'm a charter member of the Beck is Dreck club. {#Cool}
 

dreck

–noun Slang.
1. excrement; dung.
2. worthless trash; junk.
Also, drek

___________________________________________________

had to look that one up.......ouch




Posted 15 years ago by dBdwg    [ Reply ]
I'm a charter member of the Beck is Dreck club. {#Cool}
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
I'm A driver, I'm a winner ......WHat!?! oh.
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
 Ulises wrote:


Who cares what his religion is or is not.  Does it change his music?
 
Nope.  Music still sucks.
Posted 15 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
There are many forms of pollution, smog, noise, light, etc. This song is the opposite of pollution.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]

                


Posted 15 years ago by arissimo    [ Reply ]


"Ha!  Beck wasn't even alive in 1868.  There goes your credibility, smarty-pants".———- >>>>> nate917

 
Grab your Webster's and check "allegory" — you can trust me when I tell you Beck didn't have to be around
when the concept was coined to later conform to a position or platform that has been viable for 15,000 years.
Having said that, lighten up, self-medicate, beat up on some defenseless old person, it was just a joke about singing out of both sides of your mouth.

Posted 15 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 That_SOB wrote:


 I have taken up this subject with many others and most being friends with my utmost trust. In the course of time many of these dear, and special folk , whom I really on for the truths in such an arbitrary concept as opinion; and as such many of those close to me
have voiced a contempt for the subject and thus rejected any substance with non-to-certain emphasis, while on the other hand
there are those who's gracious thoughts have not fallen upon deaf ears when they came to me in complete trust and voiced their support for matters of wide breath and depth. It is with these clear and concise facts that I stand with my friends. .  .. .   1868,   Politician's speech while running for office.  (How appropriate to today's opinions on musicians religious beliefs)  {#Fight}
 
Ha!  Beck wasn't even alive in 1868.  There goes your credibility, smarty-pants.

Posted 16 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
Thanks to playing RP in my office, my marketing guy, a 62 year-old former US military intelligence officer (who was in Berlin when the wall came down) now listens to Beck in his STS.  Funny to imagine it but he really digs Beck.


Posted 16 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 tiare wrote:
His name is Beck, and he is a Scientologist -get over it!!

HE make great music and that is the important part
 

Hear, hear. What is relevant about the man's religion? I find even discussing it here offensive. Either you like his music or you don't.


Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]


 I have taken up this subject with many others and most being friends with my utmost trust. In the course of time many of these dear, and special folk , whom I really on for the truths in such an arbitrary concept as opinion; and as such many of those close to me
have voiced a contempt for the subject and thus rejected any substance with non-to-certain emphasis, while on the other hand
there are those who's gracious thoughts have not fallen upon deaf ears when they came to me in complete trust and voiced their support for matters of wide breath and depth. It is with these clear and concise facts that I stand with my friends. .  .. .   1868,   Politician's speech while running for office.  (How appropriate to today's opinions on musicians religious beliefs)  {#Fight}
Posted 16 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 revsully wrote:

Beck is a creepy scientologist... but this album was definitely a great soundtrack to a great time in my life. "Devil's Haircut" had a crazy video...


 

When it comes to religions I defer to George Washington's Farewell Speech of 1796:

"In contemplating the causes, which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by Geographical discriminations, Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western; whence designing men may endeavour to excite a belief, that there is a real difference of local interests and views. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings, which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those, who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabitants of our western country have lately had a useful lesson on this head; they have seen, in the negotiation by the Executive, and in the unanimous ratification by the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in the universal satisfaction at that event, throughout the United States, a decisive proof how unfounded were the suspicions propagated among them of a policy in the General Government and in the Atlantic States unfriendly to their interests in regard to the mississippi; they have been witnesses to the formation of two treaties, that with Great Britain, and that with Spain, which secure to them every thing they could desire, in respect to our foreign relations, towards confirming their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely for the preservation of these advantages on the union by which they were procured? Will they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who would sever them from their brethren, and connect them with aliens? "

Who cares what his religion is or is not.  Does it change his music?

Posted 16 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
revsully wrote:
Beck is a creepy scientologist... but this album was definitely a great soundtrack to a great time in my life. "Devil's Haircut" had a crazy video...
Understanding, I think, just how volatile this is, but...I don't get accepting/rejecting art because of the artist's religious beliefs. Springsteen's Catholic. Dylan's Jewish. Richard Thompson is a Sufi muslim. They're all fabulous musicians, and that's what counts, right? Well...RIGHT?
Posted 16 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
ulibcn wrote:
so overrated...
His lyrics are like magnetic refrigerator poetry
Posted 16 years ago by MrGreg    [ Reply ]
so overrated...
Posted 16 years ago by ulibcn    [ Reply ]
for such a funky song, needs a funky picture. I guess I shall supply my own.
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the first of the 12 steps...
{My} name is Beck, and {I am} a Scientologist...
"Hi, Beck." "Hello, Beck." "Glad you're here, Beck." ...
Posted 16 years ago by mattt    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of a TV commercial?
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
themotion wrote:
Love playing this at parties ... That intro always causes some strange looks.
it makes a great cellphone ringtone too! :D
Posted 16 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
By far my favorite Beck song ever...
Posted 16 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
His name is Beck, and he is a Scientologist -get over it!! HE make great music and that is the important part
Posted 16 years ago by tiare    [ Reply ]
There really is only one Beck and his name is Jeff. I do like this song though.
Posted 17 years ago by banesheim    [ Reply ]
Love playing this at parties ... That intro always causes some strange looks.
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
Thea wrote:
She's alooone with an ... Oompa Loompa...
Oompa Loompa loves sport :)
Posted 17 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
She's alooone with an ... Oompa Loompa...
Posted 17 years ago by Thea    [ Reply ]
eastcoast wrote:
Thanks for the bio...didn't think the song is that great though...
I like it. It's way better than that crap he did with his brothers when they were the boy band, Hansen.
Posted 17 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
Whirlpool wrote:
I've always liked the intro to this song.
I think RP plays the song that the sample is taken from... could have sworn I heard it the other day.
Posted 17 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
Beck.....yummy
Posted 17 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
I like a lot of Beck's stuff, but what I've heard off of this album makes me cringe. The sound is flat and repetitive. I kept waiting for him to start the chorus about "Devil's Haircut" until I realized it was another song.
Posted 17 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I've always liked the intro to this song.
Posted 17 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
Thanks for the bio...didn't think the song is that great though... rKokon wrote:
This can't be the famous Beck described below! can it? The singing is totally without tune and the horns are pointless and the drums are monotonous. It can't be that famous guy! I like that song, "Loser"! Can this awful cut really be by this person? Also, what about the fact that I heard he committed suicide? Can't find a word about it by Googling . . . Beck Hansen, the quintessential California slacker, came up among the lo-fi ranks, pushing a blend of country blues, Dylan-inspired wordplay, punk, and hip-hop. His straight-out-of-the-gate 1994 smash, "Loser," made him a star seemingly overnight. Subsequent recordings found him alternately accumulating even more disparate influences in his "mess-thetic" approach (Prince, tropicalia, psychedelia) and scaling down for the occasional back-to-the-roots lo-fi album. He is recognized as one of the preeminent singer-songwriters of his generation. Biographyb. Beck Hansen, 8 July 1970, Los Angeles, California, USA. Hansen rose swiftly to prominence in 1994 with his exhilarating marriage of folk (Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie) and guitar noise. As a child he loitered around his bluegrass street musician father, living with his office-worker mother and half-brother in some of Los Angeles' worst addresses, picking up on the city's nascent hip-hop scene as a breakdancer. He also spent time in Kansas with his grandmother and Presbyterian preacher grandfather, and with his other grandfather, the artist Al Hansen, in Europe. His guitar-playing, however, was primarily inspired by the blues of Mississippi John Hurt, which he would deliver with improvised lyrics while busking. After dropping out of school at 16 he moved to New York, though he was unable to join in with the local punk scene. On his return to Los Angeles he played his first gigs in-between sets at clubs such as Raji's and Jabberjaw. His music was now a potpourri of those diverse early influences--street hip-hop, Delta blues, Presbyterian hymns, punk with scat lyrics--and the whole was beginning to take shape as he released his first single, "MTV Makes Me Want To Smoke Crack," the title of which would be made ironic by his future success in that very medium. This was followed by a 12-inch for Los Angeles independent Bong Load Custom Records, entitled "Loser," produced with hip-hop technician Karl Stephenson. Those who might try retrospectively to read something sardonic into this title should be reminded that Beck was, at the time, living in a rat-infested shed: "I was working in a video store doing things like alphabetizing the pornography section for minimum wage." When "Loser" was finally released after a year's delay in the summer of 1993, critics fell over themselves to cite it as an anthem for doomed youth. Vaulted into the pop charts, Beck was suddenly viewed as a baby-faced saviour for the "slacker" generation, a platform he was most unwilling to mount: "I never had any slack. I was working a $4-an-hour job trying to stay alive. I mean, that slacker kind of stuff is for people who have the time to be depressed about everything." The major labels swooped for his signature. Geffen Records won possibly the most competitive chase for an artist in a decade, though not before David Geffen had telephoned Beck at home, and the artist had already set in motion two more independent records--"Steve Threw Up" for Bong Load and a 10-nch album, A Western Harvest Field By Moonlight, on Fingerpaint Records. Despite this, the contract with Geffen was highly unusual in that it allowed Beck to record and release material for other companies should he wish - a right he took delight in exercising. The Mellow Gold debut for Geffen was only one of three albums scheduled for release in 1994. The second, Stereo Pathetic Soul Manure, appeared on LA's Flipside independent, and the third, a collaboration with Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening, emerged on K Records. Odelay was Beck's next major release in the spring of 1996, and was an outstanding record of great depth and multiple layers. The album reaped numerous Album Of The Year awards in the music press and spawned five successful singles, including "Where It's At" and a Noel Gallagher (Oasis) remix of "Devil's Haircut." His major-label followup Mutations was planned for release on Bong Load, but its downbeat charms were still impressive for what was effectively a stopgap collection. Beck returned to the mix-and-match style of Odelay on 1999"s soul-influenced Midnite Vultures, but following a successful tour to promote the album he entered an unusually quiet period. His return to the studio was typically adventurous, teaming up with producer Nigel Goodrich to record an album of introspective, acoustic-based material. Universally praised on release, Sea Change confirmed Beck as without doubt one of America's most original musical talents. DISCOGRAPHY: A Western Harvest Field By Moonlight 10-inch album (Fingerpaint 1993)**, Golden Feelings (Sonic Enemy 1993)**, Mellow Gold (Geffen 1994)****, Stereo Pathetic Soul Manure (Flipside 1994)**, One Foot In The Grave 1993 recording (K Records 1995)**, Odelay (Geffen 1996)****, Mutations (Geffen 1998)***, Midnite Vultures (Geffen 1999)***, Sea Change (Geffen 2002)****. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Beck! On A Backwards River: The Story Of Beck, Rob Jovanovic. Beck: The Art Of Mutation, Nevin Martell. Beck: Lord Only Knows, Steve Hamer.
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
AphidA wrote:
Good old Beck. (I can't believe this is 10 years old!!!)
Whaddya mean "old"?? Heard of Jeff Beck?
Posted 17 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
This can't be the famous Beck described below! can it? The singing is totally without tune and the horns are pointless and the drums are monotonous. It can't be that famous guy! I like that song, "Loser"! Can this awful cut really be by this person? Also, what about the fact that I heard he committed suicide? Can't find a word about it by Googling . . . Beck Hansen, the quintessential California slacker, came up among the lo-fi ranks, pushing a blend of country blues, Dylan-inspired wordplay, punk, and hip-hop. His straight-out-of-the-gate 1994 smash, "Loser," made him a star seemingly overnight. Subsequent recordings found him alternately accumulating even more disparate influences in his "mess-thetic" approach (Prince, tropicalia, psychedelia) and scaling down for the occasional back-to-the-roots lo-fi album. He is recognized as one of the preeminent singer-songwriters of his generation. Biographyb. Beck Hansen, 8 July 1970, Los Angeles, California, USA. Hansen rose swiftly to prominence in 1994 with his exhilarating marriage of folk (Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie) and guitar noise. As a child he loitered around his bluegrass street musician father, living with his office-worker mother and half-brother in some of Los Angeles' worst addresses, picking up on the city's nascent hip-hop scene as a breakdancer. He also spent time in Kansas with his grandmother and Presbyterian preacher grandfather, and with his other grandfather, the artist Al Hansen, in Europe. His guitar-playing, however, was primarily inspired by the blues of Mississippi John Hurt, which he would deliver with improvised lyrics while busking. After dropping out of school at 16 he moved to New York, though he was unable to join in with the local punk scene. On his return to Los Angeles he played his first gigs in-between sets at clubs such as Raji's and Jabberjaw. His music was now a potpourri of those diverse early influences--street hip-hop, Delta blues, Presbyterian hymns, punk with scat lyrics--and the whole was beginning to take shape as he released his first single, "MTV Makes Me Want To Smoke Crack," the title of which would be made ironic by his future success in that very medium. This was followed by a 12-inch for Los Angeles independent Bong Load Custom Records, entitled "Loser," produced with hip-hop technician Karl Stephenson. Those who might try retrospectively to read something sardonic into this title should be reminded that Beck was, at the time, living in a rat-infested shed: "I was working in a video store doing things like alphabetizing the pornography section for minimum wage." When "Loser" was finally released after a year's delay in the summer of 1993, critics fell over themselves to cite it as an anthem for doomed youth. Vaulted into the pop charts, Beck was suddenly viewed as a baby-faced saviour for the "slacker" generation, a platform he was most unwilling to mount: "I never had any slack. I was working a $4-an-hour job trying to stay alive. I mean, that slacker kind of stuff is for people who have the time to be depressed about everything." The major labels swooped for his signature. Geffen Records won possibly the most competitive chase for an artist in a decade, though not before David Geffen had telephoned Beck at home, and the artist had already set in motion two more independent records--"Steve Threw Up" for Bong Load and a 10-nch album, A Western Harvest Field By Moonlight, on Fingerpaint Records. Despite this, the contract with Geffen was highly unusual in that it allowed Beck to record and release material for other companies should he wish - a right he took delight in exercising. The Mellow Gold debut for Geffen was only one of three albums scheduled for release in 1994. The second, Stereo Pathetic Soul Manure, appeared on LA's Flipside independent, and the third, a collaboration with Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening, emerged on K Records. Odelay was Beck's next major release in the spring of 1996, and was an outstanding record of great depth and multiple layers. The album reaped numerous Album Of The Year awards in the music press and spawned five successful singles, including "Where It's At" and a Noel Gallagher (Oasis) remix of "Devil's Haircut." His major-label followup Mutations was planned for release on Bong Load, but its downbeat charms were still impressive for what was effectively a stopgap collection. Beck returned to the mix-and-match style of Odelay on 1999"s soul-influenced Midnite Vultures, but following a successful tour to promote the album he entered an unusually quiet period. His return to the studio was typically adventurous, teaming up with producer Nigel Goodrich to record an album of introspective, acoustic-based material. Universally praised on release, Sea Change confirmed Beck as without doubt one of America's most original musical talents. DISCOGRAPHY: A Western Harvest Field By Moonlight 10-inch album (Fingerpaint 1993)**, Golden Feelings (Sonic Enemy 1993)**, Mellow Gold (Geffen 1994)****, Stereo Pathetic Soul Manure (Flipside 1994)**, One Foot In The Grave 1993 recording (K Records 1995)**, Odelay (Geffen 1996)****, Mutations (Geffen 1998)***, Midnite Vultures (Geffen 1999)***, Sea Change (Geffen 2002)****. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Beck! On A Backwards River: The Story Of Beck, Rob Jovanovic. Beck: The Art Of Mutation, Nevin Martell. Beck: Lord Only Knows, Steve Hamer.
Posted 17 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
Are Beck and Moby related? Jes keeding. I like them both, but they are odd fellows, both....
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Went from a 9 to a 10 today. Nice to have the sun out!
Posted 17 years ago by leahnichole    [ Reply ]
lord_love_rocket wrote:
I think this guys OK he does try to be different not afraid to experiment. Not sure I could listen to a full album though
Your loss!
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
I think this guys OK he does try to be different not afraid to experiment. Not sure I could listen to a full album though
Posted 17 years ago by lord_love_rocket    [ Reply ]
tiger_town_trumpet wrote:
False.
Absolutely right, false indeed. Apologies, but this artist is actually very well rounded and difficult to define - his compositions are complex and pull from a lot of different influences and resources. Crap couldn't be more of a polar opposite to this talented fellow.
Posted 17 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
+ "chair dancing"
Posted 17 years ago by SigmaBetaTooth    [ Reply ]
Groovilicious!
Posted 17 years ago by Land_Shark    [ Reply ]
Heathen wrote:
Beck is crap. All his music is crap. He is crap.
False.
Posted 18 years ago by tiger_town_trumpet    [ Reply ]
I like Beck..he's pretty cool...pretty unique..
Posted 18 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
kmh wrote:
I'm talking about his music, not his spiritual beliefs... who cares if he's a creepy scientologist?
It's also worth noting that he was raised as a Scientologist; it's not like he joined because all the other celebrities were doing it.
Posted 18 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
Beck and Lilly Allen! Bill, if you don't slow down the rhythm i'm going to make a fool of myself with all my chair dancing.
Posted 18 years ago by SigmaBetaTooth    [ Reply ]
One of my top 5 grooves of all time
Posted 18 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
Good old Beck. (I can't believe this is 10 years old!!!)
Posted 18 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
Heathen wrote:
Beck is crap. All his music is crap. He is crap.
see what you mean. however, amazing acoustic set at the tibetan freedom concert in san fran in '96. i'll never forget it. yoko and ima rocked too.
Posted 18 years ago by pobaldy    [ Reply ]
very cool video: (click here)
Posted 18 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
revsully wrote:
Beck is a creepy scientologist... but this album was definitely a great soundtrack to a great time in my life. "Devil's Haircut" had a crazy video...
Beck is a creepy scientologist? That makes me sad.
Posted 18 years ago by RhodesWarrior    [ Reply ]
revsully wrote:
Beck is a creepy scientologist... but this album was definitely a great soundtrack to a great time in my life. "Devil's Haircut" had a crazy video...
I'm talking about his music, not his spiritual beliefs... who cares if he's a creepy scientologist?
Posted 18 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
Beck is a creepy scientologist... but this album was definitely a great soundtrack to a great time in my life. "Devil's Haircut" had a crazy video...
Posted 18 years ago by revsully    [ Reply ]
He can do no wrong IMO......
Posted 18 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
Nice seque. I enjoyed that a lot. Beck - The New Pollution Lily Allen - LDN
Posted 18 years ago by bobrk    [ Reply ]
Chunky beat. And the sax is perfect.
Posted 18 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]
this is decent so long as i don't listen to it too hard... otherwise its kinda boring
Posted 21 years ago by Eul0gy    [ Reply ]
Nice drum beat. Wonder how he came up with it. :-k
Posted 21 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
Home_Alone_NC wrote:
Makes me wanna get crazy with the Cheez Whiz!!
zie frecken zie deutsche. :)
Posted 21 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
hate this beyond belief
Posted 21 years ago by PaulG    [ Reply ]
Beck is crap. All his music is crap. He is crap.
Posted 22 years ago by Heathen    [ Reply ]
Sounds like that whistle was sampled from the \'Home Improvement\' theme..
Posted 22 years ago by TheLoneIguana    [ Reply ]
I love this groove even if he did steal the bassline to Taxman.
Posted 22 years ago by redshifted    [ Reply ]