Beck news stories on Newser

Rocker Alex Chilton Dead at 59

Will McCahill — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:16:00 CDT

Alex Chilton, the singer and guitarist known for his vocals on the Box Tops’ 1967 hit The Letter and a cult favorite to many of the past two decades' musicians, died today at 59. A heart attack is believed to the culprit, the Commercial Appeal of Chilton’s native Memphis reports;...

10 Best Albums of 2008

Paul Stinson — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:02:56 CST

Dear Science tops Rolling Stone 's year-end best list with an album “that sounded the most like America in 2008." The top 10: TV on the Radio, Dear Science : "Infernal visions of war and economic desperation," but "amid the fear and loathing" is "defiance." Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs— The...

2008's Top 10 Singles

Paul Stinson — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:41:10 CST

When it comes to belting out the single of the year, Beyoncé ran (wedding) rings around the competition, says Rolling Stone, which lists its top 10: Beyoncé, Single Ladies : "Irresistible and exuberant." Santogold, LES Artistes : "New Wave guitar hook of the year." MGMT, Time to Pretend : "A magnificent piece of...

7 Songs That Scream Summer

Kate Rockwood — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:12:01 CDT

Salon’s critics pick the songs that sizzle in summer 2008—from Estelle and Kanye West's sartorial lust to Tilly and the Wall's bubble gum New Wave: Estelle with Kanye West, “American Boy”: Elegant English beats blend with in-your-face American lyrics. Jonas Brothers, “Burning Up”: Saccharine silliness that fills a hole...

Beck's a Bit Gloomy in New CD

Jonas Oransky — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:57:27 CDT

Beck’s new 34-minute-long record is a “simmering cauldron of postmillennial tension,” writes Leah Greenblatt in Entertainment Weekly , its paranoid lyrics “way past Bummerville” and nearing “Apocalypse Heights.” But producer Danger Mouse still manages to find “thoughtfulness and texture…if not exactly levity” that temper Modern Guilt 's drama. J. Freedom du...

Beck Poised at Turning Point

Kevin Spak — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:17:58 CDT

This week Beck will release Modern Guilt , his last record under a 14-year-old studio contract—an event that prompted the New York Times to ask him what's next. No idea, Beck said. “I haven’t bothered to plan anything. I don’t know where the record business is going to be in...

Sia's Real Problems Pleases

Jonas Oransky — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:13:00 CST

Folk and acid-jazz queen Sia Furler has returned with her first record in four years, and critics are singing the praises of Some People Have Real Problems . The New York Sun ’s Bret McCabe pokes fun at Furler for signing with the Starbucks label—provenance of “laid-back background music that...

Music Vids Shrink as $$$ Fade

Nick McMaster — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:47:00 CDT

A music industry headed for financial crash-and-burn has radically downsized its once-extravagant videos, the AP reports. Viewers of today’s MTV Video Awards will see more single-camera videos and quirky YouTube-inspired concepts that save cash—all suited for play on small screens. "A comet hit the earth and the dinosaurs are...

Put Your Best Line Forward

Sophie Goldstein — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:30:32 CDT

It's good to lead off with a bang, especially if your business is song lyrics. Spinner.com lists the 25 best opening lines: "She's a very kinky girl" (Rick James, "Superfreak") "I was born in a cross-fire hurricane" (The Rolling Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash") "Hey, ho, let's go!" (The Ramones,...