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Beck
On Tour31,086,744 plays (1,057,141 listeners)
Listening now: DJHenk, AlenaSav, jesh
alternative, indie, rock, singer-songwriter, indie rock… see all
Los Angeles, United States
Beck Hansen (born Bek David Campbell, July 8, 1970) is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Beck’s music is known for its pop-junk culture collage of musical styles, ironic lyrics, samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and heady sound effects.
Beck was born in Los Angeles, California, to David Campbell (a musician and son of a Presbyterian minister) and Bibbe Hansen (a former dancer for The Velvet Underground, founding member of satirical band Black Fag, and visual artist). When his parents separated, Beck stayed with his mother and brother in Los Angeles, where he was influenced by that city’s diverse musical offerings—everything from hip-hop to latin music—and his mother’s art scene – all of which would later reappear in his recorded and published work.
Although Beck’s work defies easy description, his eclecticism and genre experiments have sparked comparisons with Prince, though Beck was undoubtedly a less prolific artist, and drew on an absurdist, free-flowing lyrical style totally original when first exposed to mainstream audiences (indeed, some critics labeled him and his breakthrough single “Loser” as novelties - see below). Despite this individualism, Beck’s music was very much a product of the 90s and the media age in general, with hip hop, indie/underground rock, electronic music and genre-benders like the Beastie Boys as notable touchstones; in addition, some critics could not resist likening his head-spinning lyrical aesthetic to a post-modern Bob Dylan sensibility.
Beck was born in Los Angeles, California, to David Campbell (a musician and son of a Presbyterian minister) and Bibbe Hansen (a former dancer for The Velvet Underground, founding member of satirical band Black Fag, and visual artist). When his parents separated, Beck stayed with his mother and brother in Los Angeles, where he was influenced by that city’s diverse musical offerings—everything from hip-hop to latin music—and his mother’s art scene – all of which would later reappear in his recorded and published work.
Although Beck’s work defies easy description, his eclecticism and genre experiments have sparked comparisons with Prince, though Beck was undoubtedly a less prolific artist, and drew on an absurdist, free-flowing lyrical style totally original when first exposed to mainstream audiences (indeed, some critics labeled him and his breakthrough single “Loser” as novelties - see below). Despite this individualism, Beck’s music was very much a product of the 90s and the media age in general, with hip hop, indie/underground rock, electronic music and genre-benders like the Beastie Boys as notable touchstones; in addition, some critics could not resist likening his head-spinning lyrical aesthetic to a post-modern Bob Dylan sensibility.
Similar Artists
The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Modest Mouse, Beck and The Flaming Lips, Eels, TV on the Radio… see all
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Top Tracks
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Gamma Ray
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Modern Guilt
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Chemtrails
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Orphans
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Youthless
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Loser
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Walls
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Soul of a Man
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Replica
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Profanity Prayers
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Volcano
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Lost Cause
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Where It's At
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Top Albums
Shoutbox
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williamnot wrote:
'Free Radicals' isn't about Beck. The song was based on a dream Devendra Banhart had about negotiating with a terrorist
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ayeayes wrote:
Nooo, he shouldn't have short hair...medium-length hair is the most "him".
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Plarg wrote:
You think you're so radical I think you oughta stop (Say what) But you're going international They're gonna call the cops (No, no, no) You're turning into A poor man's Donald Trump I know those circumstances Make you wanna jump Oh no You think you're radical But you're not so radical In fact, you're fanatical Fanatical And you think you're a radical But you're not so radical In fact, you're fanatical Fanatical I'll tell you right now You oughta change your mind (Yes) All of your friends are Standing in line They're getting tired of Your attitude fast Without all your bodyguards How long would you last Not long You think you're radical But you're not so radical In fact, you're fanatical Fanatical And you think you're a radical But you're not so radical In fact, you're just fanatical Fanatical And you think you're a radical But you're not so radical In fact, you're just fanatical Fanatical
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Plarg wrote:
I'm kind of enjoying this, but the Scientology factor and the hated-by-the-Flaming-Lips factor make me want to hate it.
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clecktown wrote:
I wish he'd cut his hair
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Origamihirn wrote:
Guero is awesome, but man what the hell is Guerolito, how can a remix album be so AWFUL?! in my oppinion the only worth-hearing remix there might be Heaven's Hammer, but then again i'm an 80s fan..
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InfernoNecrosis wrote:
Hey guys, a new alternative (metal, goth, rock, industrial, Jap. music) music site has been created. Please do visit it by clicking here, and if you like what you see, register at this link.
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Coolnameman04 wrote:
I really like his new album. A lot
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mannis05 wrote:
Lost cause is just the perfect song :)
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ayeayes wrote:
Ah well, it seemed unnaturally quiet without that word on the boards. :/
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polkila wrote:
waiting in St. Petersburg
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SeanMcDaid wrote:
Best profile picture ever! Sea Change is a master-piece.
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JammyJulian wrote:
I really love the Information more than any other album. The new album Modern Guilt is just short and sweet, Modern Guilt the track itself is awesome.
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timahall wrote:
I wish he still made records as good as he did in the '90s. Guero was the beginning of the end.
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Odelaybradford wrote:
You should check out this great Indie & Electro blog... http://therecommender.wordpress.com
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KimikoFHAustin wrote:
South Austin Jug Band did a cover of Beck's "Jackass." Check it out - it's not what you think. The Jug Band isn't a bluegrass band... and they have no twang... More of an Indie Acoustic Pop Band. Saw them at Wakarusa and they were awesome live... Great Players! They are coming to ACL so I'll get to see them play a festival again!
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VenerableBean wrote:
Not that it REALLY matters, but Modern Guilt is full of allusions to Scientology...
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thedellaroccas wrote:
Have you heard these? http://www.last.fm/music/the+dellas
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xoxkatiexoxo wrote:
COME TO SASQUATCH 2009!!!!!!!
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rinistiltskin wrote:
Modern Guilt is interesting... perhaps I haven't listened to it enough, and while I am loving the hell out of some songs (eponymous "Modern Guilt", "Orphans" and esp "Youthless"), this album doesn't sound/feel like a signature Beck album really. I feel like there are more of Danger Mouse's handprints all over it. Don't get me wrong, it's eminently listenable, but I guess (to me) Beck isn't as palpable in this as he was in, say, Midnite Vultures or Mellow Gold or even The Information. YMMV
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Events
- Aug 30 Bumbershoot Seattle Center, Seattle, United States
- Aug 31 Beck The Independent, San Francisco, United States
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Sep
19
Street Scene 2008
Tailgate Park, San Diego, United States
94 shouts
| 239 attendees
Recent Activity
- naamareicher added Beck to naamareicher’s library. yesterday afternoon
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- lenin_tb tagged Beck with ‘indie’ and ‘rock’. yesterday morning
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- Milos07, IrrI, mastershokhan and 5 other people added Beck to their libraries. yesterday morning
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