Where it's at? Forget that cliché. With "Midnite Vultures," Beck veers into Artist FKA Prince territory and sets out to celebrate 1999 with a pure party album. He must be in a good mood, as he was just named Musician of the Year at the New Times Los Angeles Music Awards.

Beck also recently dismissed his now-settled lawsuits against Geffen and Bong Load Records as "just a bunch of paperwork" without "any actual human conflict." In fact, he remains with the labels for this release and says he's ready to cut loose another disc containing tracks he's already laid down with the Dust Brothers and Kool Keith.

But first things first: Reviewers are calling "Midnite Vultures" a soul-drenched funk-fest full of lyrics about living the high life. In other words, a work of "gorgeous wickedness." On "Debra," one of the disc's first singles, Beck even tries to interest a department-store clerk in a threesome with her sister. The other heavily hyped track is called "Sexx Laws." Notice a trend?

In addition to the Prince-like erotic grooves, Beck marked a recent live performance by doing the splits behind the mic stand while his drummer dismantled the kit. Despite the homage to the king of Minneapolis funk, Kansas City/L.A.-reared Beck says he's never chatted with the Artist and "wouldn't know what to say to him" if he did.

Besides the "Sexx Laws" video that draws on "Monday Night Football" for inspiration, you also can catch Beck's newest moves on the December 4 "Saturday Night Live" and the December 5 VH1 Fashion Awards from New York.

Frank Sennett

Newcity.com affiliates sound off about Beck:

SWEET RIPOFF
Like a good thief, Beck breaks the musical goods down until they're barely recognizable, seeming now to belong to their new owner

HYBRID MOMENTS
In the hands of Beck, rock continues to scavenge dance-music styles

ALL THAT GLITTERS
There are some great songs beneath the phat grooves and cheesy sex gags of "Midnite Vultures"

MIXMASTER'S DREAM
He's big. He's bad. He's back. He's Beck.

PICKED CLEAN
"Midnite Vultures" swoops in with music as captivating as any recorded this year

UNQUESTIONABLE GROOVINESS
Prince may have predicted the party at the end of time, but Beck Hansen's doing the soundtrack

BECK'S JOURNEY
"Odelay" + Earth Wind & Fire + Prince + R. Kelly + too many miles logged on the celebrity freeway = "Midnite Vultures"

SLOW JAMMING
In a rare interview, Beck discusses the release of "Midnite Vultures" and his peculiar fascination with R. Kelly

TRICK BAG
Beck's latest is a funky, catchy, carnal mix of full-throttle funk, melodic alternative and sci-fi disco