Beck Releases “Morning Phase”, Featuring Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Beck: Morning PhaseFans of Beck’s 2002 classic album Sea Change will feel right at home with the intimate psychedelia of Morning Phase, which reunites the singer/songwriter with the band that backed him in the studio and on the road from 1996-2000 and 2003-2003.

The players on Beck’s 12th studio album include bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen (also known for work with Nine Inch Nails, Air, M83, Crystal Fighters, White Sea, Chromeo, among others). Meldal-Johnsen and the other band members (Joey Waronker, Smokey Hormel and Roger Joseph Manning Jr.) revisited Sea Change with Beck at a 2012 live gig, according to Billboard, and the decision to play together again grew from there.

Comparisions to Sea Change are abounding with Morning Phase, even though Meldal-Johnsen told Billboard the band and Beck weren’t seeking out a particular sound. “It’s the same room with the same guys, with the same microphones and a lot of the same equipment and the same engineer. We don’t even talk when we start these songs; we just listen and respond. These are the tones and sounds and approaches that come forth from that recipe and these five guys.”

It’s not all seriousness for the band, though, Meldal-Johnsen notes on his blog. “We feel deeply connected when we’re playing, and just as connected when we’re eating snacks and clowning on the tour bus. It’s massive fun, whatever we’re doing.”

They’ve created some gorgeous stuff. Give Morning Phase’s “Waking Light” a listen:

Morning Phase is out now on CD, vinyl and digital formats (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

Morning Phase Track List:

  1. Cycle
  2. Morning
  3. Heart Is A Drum
  4. Say Goodbye
  5. Blue Moon
  6. Unforgiven
  7. Wave
  8. Dont Let It Go
  9. Blackbird Chain
  10. Phase
  11. Turn Away
  12. Country Down
  13. Waking Light

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  1. Totally love it! Sea Change is a classic! Morning Phase seems like its cut from the same cloth!