Includes robot orgy groovesÉ

STEREOpaThETiC SOULMaNURE (1994)

One of three fulllength LPs Beck released in 1994, this strange, 25-track collection of sadsack country, blistering noise-rock and woebegotten blues showcases his remarkable stylistic range. It also contains the epic stoner story-song “Satan Gave Me A Taco”. 8/10

MELLOw GOLd (1994)

Beck gets crazy with the Cheez Whiz on his majorlabel debut, which remains one of his richest and densest albums, alternately hilarious and harrowing as he depicts bohemian LA. 10/10

OdELay (1996)

For his second major-label album, Beck worked with the Dust Brothers, best known for the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique. The results are more streamlined and strategic than anything else Beck had done, but every bit as fantastical. 10/10

MUTaTiONS (1998)

One of Beck’s most overlooked albums, but also one of his most pivotal. Working with Nigel Godrich (Radiohead), he records some of his final blues numbers while making his first forays into tropicália and bossa nova. 8/10

MidNiTE VULTURES (1999)

This sexxxxed-up R&B album is full of robot orgy grooves, best of which might be the ridiculous slow jam “Deborah”, which was recently revived as a plot point in Edgar Wright’s car-chase extravaganza Baby Driver. 8/10

SEa ChaNGE (2002)

Once synonymous with generational irony, Beck proved he could be sincere and confessional on this soundtrack to a bad break-up, inspired by Serge Gainsbourg. 8/10

GUERO (2005)

Working once again with the Dust Brothers, Beck revisits the sounds and styles of Odelay from an older, wiser perspective. At times it sounds too professional, but “Girl” remains one of his finest pop songs, and “Hell Yes” one of his funkiest experiments. 7/10

SONG REadER (2014)

Not technically a Beck record, this is a companion to the collection of sheet music Beck published in 2012. The array of performances reflects the acuity of his songwriting and the diversity of his tastes, with Swamp Dogg’s grave “America, Here’s My Boy” the standout. 7/10

MORNiNG phaSE (2014)

Perhaps the most divisive record of his career: either a brilliant collection of soul-baring folk rock or a dull snooze of downtempo songs and hangdog vocals. Perhaps a bit of both? 7/10