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I came to the realization tonight that each Beck album could represent my life from middle school through graduate school. If I wanted it to, it could go something like this.....

Beck: Mellow Gold - I was in 7/8th grade when "Loser" hit MTV and my cd player like a ton of bricks. I remember watching America's Most Wanted and Alternative nation and everday the clips of him dancing in the graveyard and walking down the surfboard in hand--it seemed to define that summer. Also some of the lyrics had cusswords and being in 8th grade it was now fun to quote the "curse lyrics" with my friends.

Beck: Odelay - Just like 9th and 10th grade... Having a social life for the first time, just like Beck seemed to be having for the first time as well. "Where It's At" and "Devils Haircut" were the soundtracks to my first cool parties, and first few beers. It was fun and quirky and a mix between the Beastie Boys and Nirvana.

Beck: Mutations - Beck was going through some changes and so was I. First love, thinking about college-this was senior year, by the way-you know, getting serious about life. Starting to use my brain for the first time. Beck was developing song-writing skills, real lyrics and real instruments. He was starting to become a "recording artist."

Beck: Midnight Vultures - This was a sexy time for Beck. Prince-influenced, funky, experimental, but skilled. We still knew where he was coming from. It's like being educated and young for the first time. This is college.

Beck: "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" - From the Eternal Sunshine soundtrack. That song and movie together defined the hardest breakup of my life, both independently and simultaneously. That was synergy on a tri-level.

Beck: Sea Change - Sea Change was getting serious again. Beck brought it back to some instruments, real songs again. Recording artist things... but better. This was graduating from college, getting into grad school. Thinking clearly. Feeling a little free again--falling in love again. But, Like Sea Change, calculated, smart, and honest.

Beck: Guero - Moving to Chicago, or Chicago summer 1. Best time of my life. Guero is a fun record. A record for having a few beers and a cigarette. Meeting up with old friends to have that drink in the bar you wanted so desperately to go to when you were 16, are now finally of age to get into. Hell Yes might be the "coolest" song of the last few years... James Dean cool.

Beck: The Information - Possibly the best Beck album. Rhythm and melody stripped to badassness. This is a freedom record, freedom to finally, finally get where you want to go. "1000 bpm" is the most badass song Beck ever recorded. It's the hip hop record we all wanted to hear from him, but not really hip hop. He had to use some melodies, instruments and electro and drum sectioning. Wait, that's why it is the best ever. Hip hop, like the walks through urban D.C. I was taking everyday while studying in our glorious nation's capital. You need something to give you a curled lip when your'e walking in the swamps. Both intellectually and morally.

But you know, the irony is that I'm not really even that much of a Beck fan. There are some people out there that really love him. The thing is, you don't really seek out Beck records. They always find you somehow. I heard their selling The Information in Starbucks now. I hope that doesn't say anything about the current phase of my life...

Audio: Beck - Everything