Thanks to Pasta Primavera, I just discovered a new section that has been added to Beck’s website called Record Club. The Record Club is an “informal meeting of various people to record an album in a day.” The first album chosen to be recorded was The Velvet Underground & Nico, which I think was a fantastic choice. I’ve actually been listening to that album a ton lately (along with a lot of other phenomenal albums from the 60′s). Here is the first track from this spontaneous recording session that Beck has chosen to share with us.
In case you were wondering, Beck’s studio compadres this time around were Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker, Brian Lebarton, Bram Inscore, Yo, Giovanni Ribisi, Chris Holmes, and from Iceland, special guest Thorunn Magnusdottir. And here is another great cover by Beck that I adore.
So I just found out via Stereogum that my current state of residence is taking a poll to decide the Official State of Oklahoma Rock Song. And of course there is a Flaming Lips song on the ballot. “Do You Realize,” one of my favorite tracks by the Norman natives is up against 9 other famous songs penned by Oklahomans. And believe it or not the voting is open to the public, regardless of where you live. So please go vote! You could even vote for Elvis if you want. Just please help save our state from the All-American Rejects.
Beck, everyone’s favorite beat-dropping Scientologist, is all set for his headlining gig on the second night of ACL Fest this year. Hot off the heels of the critically acclaimed Modern Guilt, which showcased a more somber, decidedly sparse soundscape, the musical chameleon will visit Austin before meandering his way through a string of shows in the chilly Northeast. It seems likely that Beck’s live act will very much resemble his new aesthetic; in a recent Pitchfork interview, when asked if the stage puppets from last tour would make a reappearance, Beck answered gravely that the new tour wouldn’t feature “anything [he] felt was a gimmick”. Bummer! But puppets or no, Beck’s performance promises plenty of great tunes, new and old.
Since his smash hit “Loser” in 1994, Beck has explored nearly every persona known to popular music, and this artistic schizophrenia makes him one of the most exciting musicians of our time. A conscious effort to invent, to avoid creative complacency, drives Beck’s career, and I urge anyone attending the festival this year to grab the closest piece of lawn around. It will be arguably the best show of the weekend. Have fun!
Here is one of our favorites off of the new album.
