Beck's "Blue Moon" a Radiant Charmer

Few stars on the rock beat wear their freak flag as proudly as Beck Hansen, just plain Beck to you and I. I'll be the first to confess that I wasn't bowled over by "Loser", his first big hit from "Mellow Gold". You'll forgive me for not being won over by a song that has chorus sentiments such as: "I'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me." Vince Neil of Motley Crue would be incorrect in assuming Beck's the one they call Dr. Feelgood. Thankfully as the '90s wore on, departed with a jovial heart, then gave way to the "aughts", Beck proved to us he was no one trick pony. "Odelay" was a riot, a testimonial to how rock can in capable hands live up to its potential. "Guero" followed that same formula in 2005 with astonishingly well realized depth of feeling. New to 2014's musical sweepstakes is "Blue Moon". I don't think I've ever heard a Beck track that has quite as approachable to radio formats across the spectrum. "Odelay" was full of piss and vinegar. This first cut from "Morning Phase" eases you into its grasp gently. The guitar sways inside your heart instead of opting for the cardio workout approach. If "Odelay" and "Guero" slanted towards an Andy Warhol school of bright colors put to music then "Blue Moon" is gentle dabbling with tempura paints. It's a night in which the darker ends of the blue radius complement the title's glowing orb. Drums are crucial to the sea worthy quiet strength that chooses to ride with the current. Any choppy sailing comes from his lyrical content. No doubt about it. Beck's a audiophile's troubadour right down to the last syllable. Loneliness is the overtly cast out evil in these lyrics as you can tell from his claim to have only known the harsh sting of penitent walls. Uniqueness in the setting up of a downer situation is something Beck shines at. Only he could utter: "Cut me down to size so I can fit inside lies that will divide us both in time. He's hinting that there's something oddly wonderful about being in a relationship even if lies are at its foundation. Arguing together beats stewing alone I suppose. It's the exchange between two people which generates passions sexual, intellectual, and otherwise. In sailor parlance what a sailor craves in harsh conditions is the ever critical lighthouse beacon used as an aid to find his way back to safe harbor. Beck, regardless of which combo of instruments he's tag team incorporating, never forgets that at his aching heart is the basic craving for that safe harbor. Getting back to my earlier claim that "Blue Moon" is one creation radio's not going to dismiss out of hand. "Loser" came at a point in 1994 when alt-rock/grunge were the cultural forces. Ergo, Beck's mud on the tires guitar variation suited the environs to a tee. "Where It's At" and "Devil's Haircut" both from "Odelay" as critically gushed over as they were, cast Mr. Hansen as a fawning devotee of the gritty incidental street sounds of the '70s. If you saw the vid for the "Devil's Haircut" you'll remember those spooky deep focus camera shots looked like they came out of some '70s era cops and robbers show like "S.W.A.T." or "The Rookies". "E-Pro" and "Girl" from "Guero" demonstrated that the love affair with those funked up soul serenades wasn't over. "Blue Moon" is, amusingly enough, has the potential to reveal a heretofore unknown mellower side to rock's resident idiosyncratic icon. You might not get to the safe side of the beach in high style, but you'll reach it safely. Plus you'll end up feeling like you've spent time absorbing the weather worn tales of a sailor whose lived the tales he's telling. The music arena is always an electrifying block of real estate to visit when Beck rejoins the party. Maybe it is a party heavy on light appetizers rather than sumptuous banquet kitchen wizardry. Not a problem though. That it's easier to digest, lighter on studio console calories, only makes it richer food for the soul.