With a pop art collage of musical styles, oblique and ironic lyrics, and postmodern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being amongst the most creative and idiosyncratic musicians of 1990s and 2000s alternative rock.

Later that year, his first singles, "Loser" and "MTV Makes Me Want to Smoke Crack", helped to quickly gain the attention of major record labels.

That year, he released a fourth album, One Foot in the Grave, on indie label K Records, which included appearances by members of Beat Happening, The Presidents of the United States of America and Built to Spill.

His next two albums, Mutations (1998) and Midnite Vultures (1999) maintained the eclectic sound Beck had become known for and saw favorable reviews with continued chart success.

In 2002, Sea Change was released to considerable praise from both fans and critics, becoming Beck's first US Top 10 album, supported by a tour that featured The Flaming Lips as his backing band.