LOS ANGELES, Feb 9 — Beck, the innovative rocker who has enjoyed critical acclaim for two decades, today beat major commercial acts to win the most prestigious Grammy for Album of the Year.
Beck had also won Best Rock Album for “Morning Phase”, an introspective work of acoustic guitar and lush orchestration.
It was the third time he has been nominated for Album of the Year but he had not won before.
Katy Perry performs 'By The Grace of God' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Paul McCartney kisses Rihanna as Kanye West watches after performing 'FourFiveSeconds' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
(From left) Kristen Wiig and Maddie Ziegler perform to 'Chandelier' by Sia at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga dance as they perform 'Cheek to Cheek' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Jennifer Hudson arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna perform 'FourFiveSeconds' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Domestic abuse activist Brooke Axtell poses in the press room at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Beyonce holds the awards she won for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for 'Drunk in Love' and Best Surround Sound Album for 'Beyonce' in the press room at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Madonna performs 'Living for Love' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Record producer Rodney Jerkins poses with the award he won for Record of the Year for 'Stay With Me' with Sam Smith in the press room at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Madonna performs 'Living for Love' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Pharrell Williams performs 'Happy' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Miranda Lambert accepts the award for best country album for 'Platinum' from presenters Nick Jonas and Meaghan Trainor (R) at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Ian Axel (left) and Chad Vaccarino of A Great Big World pose backstage with their award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for 'Say Something' during the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Hozier performs 'Take Me To Church' with Annie Lennox at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine perform 'My Heart is Open' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Jeff Lynne perfoms a medley of Electric Light Orchestra songs at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Ed Sheeran (centre) performs 'Thinking Out Loud' with John Mayer (left) at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Ed Sheeran performs 'Thinking Out Loud' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Kanye West performs 'Only One' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Kanye West performs 'Only One' at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
R&B artist Toni Braxton arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm-Jamal Warner pose with their award for best traditional R&B performance for 'Jesus Children' backstage at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Singer Meghan Trainor arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Singer Beyonce arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Singers Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga arrive at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Pop singer Taylor Swift arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Singer Beyonce arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Roseanne Cash poses with her awards for best American roots performance and best American roots song for 'A Feather's Not a Bird,' and best Americana album for “The River & The Thread“ backstage at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Erica Campbell holds the award for Best Gospel Album for 'Help' backstage during the awards pre-telecast at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Singer Rita Ora arrives at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Musician Pharrell Williams and his wife, Helen Lasichanh, arrive at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 9, 2015. — Reuters pic
Beck beat out a field that included superstar Beyonce, rising newcomer Sam Smith and Pharrell Williams, the creator of the viral hit “Happy”.
“We made this record at my house for the most part. So I’d like to thank my kids for letting me keep them awake a little bit extra longer,” Beck said.
The 44-year-old Los Angeles native has experimented widely with styles over his career.
In the early 1990s, he merged the era’s alternative rock with funk and hip-hop and layered them with ironic samples and vocals as epitomised in the song “Loser”.
But Beck has proven capable of quickly changing his style.
The 2002 album “Sea Change,” considered the forebearer of “Morning Phase”, offered a stripped-down, rawly emotional reflection on the end of a long-term relationship. — AFP