Midway between being a hyperkinetic "Loser" and someone adrift in the doldrums of a "Sea Change," Beck zaps us with "Gamma Ray," a new video from his forthcoming CD, Modern Guilt. The low-key, lo-fi sounds here (created in collaboration with Danger Mouse) are offset by Beck's trademark arty visuals and sly pop-culture signifying. Case in point: lyric references to blues classics "Smokestack Lightning" and "Terraplane Blues."
But not to worry, you don't need a decoder ring to enjoy it. Just watch and listen.
And if you want to savor more of the CD's flavor before it hits the shops on Tuesday, check out this tasty audio-video sampler: