Elastic pop mastermind Beck has been busy this year, delivering a two-song 7-inch and some music for PlayStation game Sound Shapes on top of his recent curatorial work for Philip Glass. Despite this, fans are still pining for a full-length follow-up to 2008's Modern Guilt. Well, it looks as if the wait is almost over, as Beck has announced his next set, titled Song Reader, will be released in December. That album title says it all, though, as the set will only be released in sheet-music form.
Publishing house McSweeney's announced the news on its blog, confirming that Song Reader will feature 20 new songs delivered in the "almost-forgotten form" that will require fans to recreate the songs themselves. Long story short, you better brush up on your music theory by the time the package drops in December.
Song Reader is described as "an experiment in what an album can be at the end of 2012" and "an alternative that enlists the listener in the tone of every track."
On top of the music notation, the package will feature full-colour artwork from the likes of Guero-designer Marcel Dzama, Leanne Shapton, Josh Cochran, Jessica Hische, and more. It will also come with an introduction from Slate and New York Times contributor Jody Rosen, and a foreword from Beck himself.
Readers are being encouraged to submit their interpretations of Beck's work, and the best submissions will be uploaded to McSweeney's website.
Publishing house McSweeney's announced the news on its blog, confirming that Song Reader will feature 20 new songs delivered in the "almost-forgotten form" that will require fans to recreate the songs themselves. Long story short, you better brush up on your music theory by the time the package drops in December.
Song Reader is described as "an experiment in what an album can be at the end of 2012" and "an alternative that enlists the listener in the tone of every track."
On top of the music notation, the package will feature full-colour artwork from the likes of Guero-designer Marcel Dzama, Leanne Shapton, Josh Cochran, Jessica Hische, and more. It will also come with an introduction from Slate and New York Times contributor Jody Rosen, and a foreword from Beck himself.
Readers are being encouraged to submit their interpretations of Beck's work, and the best submissions will be uploaded to McSweeney's website.
