I have to admit that for me, Beck Hansen can do no wrong. Every album he has ever put out has its own distinctive sound and intent, from the grinding, haunting Mellow Gold to dirty, gritty Midnite Vultures to the mellow, lonely and transcendent vibe of Sea Change. Hell, he even gave you groovy stickers to design your own album cover with The Information. (It did sound a bit like, “Yes, I know you can buy it online, but do you get stickers that way?!? I think not.)

My loyalty having been declared, I actually wasn’t sure how I felt about the first single I heard, “Gamma Ray” from this month’s Modern Guilt. Did it seem all that fresh? Different from the albums that came before it? Creepy? Boppy? Sappy? Snappy? I’ve come to expect a lot from Beck…maybe because I never know quite what to expect. (But I’ve been disappointed before, even in artists I fiercely believe in.) I snagged the album the next day and gave it a solid listen, to get the point of view, the theme, the style, the new invention. And…it fit just right *whew* - this new, modern Beck, somewhere right between Guero and The Information.

I don’t know if he’ll ever make another album with the raw energy of Mellow Gold, Mutations, and a few tracks from Odelay – there’s just something about those first albums that’s uniquely emotional and forcefully creative. Then again, I’ve been listening for what, 15 years now? He may not have quite the same edge to him now, but he makes up for it with sincerity and unfailing artistry. With albums as diverse as his influences, he’ll have my attention for as many as he cares to put out.

One last thing….have you ever seen the man move?!

*sigh*

He’s absolutely precious.

Concert Date: 10 June 2008
Location: Chicago Theater

Wordplay:

• Mediocre
• Yawn
• B-52’s should have headlined… Just like last year, Erasure should have headlined.
• God Bless Fred Schneider and his cowbell
• Carson? What? Nope
• Yawn again… My neck hurts from nodding off so much…
• Again - Thank God for the B-52’s…
• The Clicks are getting a little bit better - (A little..) that’s not saying much…
• But, but, overall — Mundane… Oh, to be a producer, juggle the line-up, kick some ass… Fire people… If only… If only…

Photos:

All images © Bobby Talamine and are provided by the photographer for skipthedial.com

Concert Date: 09 June 2008
Location: United Center

Wordplay:

• A Sublime Controlled Chaos
• Loudest I’ve ever heard them (and that’s a good  thing)
• Fully Torqued (as in Red Barchetta)
• Neil
• The Doll of Neil and his drum kit in front of Geddy’s keyboard and microphone (timeless)
• Again, Neil
• Wascally, Wascals, All!
• Amazing, watching Neils kit completely shake during Tom Sawyer… Richter scale: 5.2… Honest!
• Neil
• God Bless you guys

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Concert Date: 23 May 2008
Location: United Center

Wordplay:

• A Vibrant Tour de Force
• Visionary
• Tons and Tons of bells and whistles
• A blast and a half of Hip-Hop
• Defend, Ambush and Annihilate
• Stands tall, Cocksure (and there’s the rub)

Photos:

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Concert Date: 06 June 2008
Location: United Center

Wordplay:

• Fighting Form
• Muscular and lanky at the same time
• Jolly Moods
• Polished
• Significant
• Inventive
• Brave

Photos:

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