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a bit more about the actual song...
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"'''Gamma Ray'''" is a song by [[Beck]]. It is seemingly inspired by the [[surf-rock]] songs of the 1960s, but with ghostly moans and lyrics on the state of the world. It was released as the second single from his album ''[[Modern Guilt]]'' on August 11, 2008. The single peaked at #19 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Modern Rock Tracks]] chart. This song was #6 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<nowiki></nowiki>'s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.<ref>No byline (December 25, 2008). [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24947047/the_100_best_singles_of_2008/{{{2}}} "The 100 Best Songs of 2007"] ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved 2008-12-25.</ref><!--Template:Rolling Stone's 100 Best Songs of 2008--> The single releases of the song feature a cover of the song by [[garage punk]] musician [[Jay Reatard]] and a non-album song entitled "Bonfire Blondes" as B-sides, both of which are available on [[iTunes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=291699672&s=143441 |title=Bonfire Blondes - Single by Beck - Download Bonfire Blondes - Single on iTunes |publisher=Phobos.apple.com |date=2008-09-30 |accessdate=2010-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=291699706&s=143441 |title=Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version) - Single by Beck - Download Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version) - Single on iTunes |publisher=Phobos.apple.com |date=2008-09-30 |accessdate=2010-09-21}}</ref>
"'''Gamma Ray'''" is a song by [[Beck]]. It is seemingly inspired by the [[surf-rock]] songs of the 1960s, but with ghostly moans and lyrics on the state of the world. It was released as the second single from his album ''[[Modern Guilt]]'' on August 11, 2008. The title refers to [[gamma ray]]s, biologically hazardous energy emitted by radioactive decay. Despite its up-tempo beat, the song lyrics invoke [[Nihilism|nihilistic]] or [[Apocalypse|apocalyptic]] themes, including melting ice caps, boredom, burning houses, [[Crown of thorns|crowns of thorns]], and natural disasters.
The single peaked at #19 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Modern Rock Tracks]] chart. This song was #6 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<nowiki></nowiki>'s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.<ref>No byline (December 25, 2008). [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24947047/the_100_best_singles_of_2008/{{{2}}} "The 100 Best Songs of 2007"] ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved 2008-12-25.</ref><!--Template:Rolling Stone's 100 Best Songs of 2008--> The single releases of the song feature a cover of the song by [[garage punk]] musician [[Jay Reatard]] and a non-album song entitled "Bonfire Blondes" as B-sides, both of which are available on [[iTunes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=291699672&s=143441 |title=Bonfire Blondes - Single by Beck - Download Bonfire Blondes - Single on iTunes |publisher=Phobos.apple.com |date=2008-09-30 |accessdate=2010-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=291699706&s=143441 |title=Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version) - Single by Beck - Download Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version) - Single on iTunes |publisher=Phobos.apple.com |date=2008-09-30 |accessdate=2010-09-21}}</ref>


The song is included as a playable track in the video game [[Guitar Hero 5]] and was used in [[Tony Hawk: Ride]]. Both the A side and B side album covers make use of a [[Houndstooth]] pattern.
The song is included as a playable track in the video game [[Guitar Hero 5]] and was used in [[Tony Hawk: Ride]]. Both the A side and B side album covers make use of a [[Houndstooth]] pattern.

Revision as of 15:12, 25 May 2012

"Gamma Ray"
Song
B-side"Bonfire Blondes" / "Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version)"

"Gamma Ray" is a song by Beck. It is seemingly inspired by the surf-rock songs of the 1960s, but with ghostly moans and lyrics on the state of the world. It was released as the second single from his album Modern Guilt on August 11, 2008. The title refers to gamma rays, biologically hazardous energy emitted by radioactive decay. Despite its up-tempo beat, the song lyrics invoke nihilistic or apocalyptic themes, including melting ice caps, boredom, burning houses, crowns of thorns, and natural disasters. The single peaked at #19 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. This song was #6 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.[4] The single releases of the song feature a cover of the song by garage punk musician Jay Reatard and a non-album song entitled "Bonfire Blondes" as B-sides, both of which are available on iTunes.[5][6]

The song is included as a playable track in the video game Guitar Hero 5 and was used in Tony Hawk: Ride. Both the A side and B side album covers make use of a Houndstooth pattern.

Track listings

(A)[7]

  1. "Gamma Ray" (2:58)
  2. "Gamma Ray" (2:59) (cover by Jay Reatard)

(B)[8]

  1. "Gamma Ray" (2:58)
  2. "Bonfire Blondes" (2:25)

Music video

The 1st version of the music video, directed by Jess Holzworth, features actress and style icon Chloe Sevigny. The 2nd version, involves scenes of abstract imagery (most in black and white). There is film of Beck standing amidst many people dressed in white with white boxes on the heads. There is also film of mouths and eyes, and a woman with an afro.

References

  1. ^ "Disco Quebrado - Beck Discography - Gamma Ray". Whiskeyclone.net. 2008-08-11. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  2. ^ "Bonfire Blondes: Beck: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  3. ^ "Gamma Ray: Beck: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  4. ^ No byline (December 25, 2008). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
  5. ^ "Bonfire Blondes - Single by Beck - Download Bonfire Blondes - Single on iTunes". Phobos.apple.com. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  6. ^ "Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version) - Single by Beck - Download Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version) - Single on iTunes". Phobos.apple.com. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  7. ^ "Beck | Jay Reatard". Insound.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  8. ^ "Beck: Gamma Ray b|w Bonfire Blondes: 7". Insound.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
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