Heavy Rotation: Beck

I have my workmates to thank for discovering the new Beck album Modern Guilt - it's been on a lot in the office and must have seeped into my consciousness. It's since been my to-and-from-work iPod choice for the last two weeks. I'd never previously been a big fan of Beck; I found him precariously balanced between amusingly quirky and mildly irritating and had only ever heard the singles.

But this new record is just brilliant. It's short - barely over half an hour - but packed with fantastic songwriting, unusual arrangements and tons of catchy hooks that refuse to leave my head. It doesn't grate by being overly 'groovy' like his older stuff; it's a bit dark and melancholy in places and the main theme of environmental damage strikes a chord. Standout tracks include insanely catchy Gamma Ray, which makes me want to dance on the bus; Replica, which almost could have belonged on Radiohead's In Rainbows; and the sliding strings and skittish drums of my favourite track Walls. If, like me, you never paid Beck much attention before, give it a listen.

It's a shame they took down his old website though as it was long a favourite of mine - it's been replaced by a rather bland one featuring the album art. There's some interesting chat regarding the curiously dull choice of sleeve artwork over here.