"Gamma Ray"
Single by Beck
from the album Modern Guilt
B-side	"Bonfire Blondes" / "Gamma Ray (Jay Reatard Version)"
Released	11 August 2008[1] 30 September 2008 (Digital Download)[2][3]
Format	Digital Download 7" Vinyl CD
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	2:58
Label	XL Recordings
Writer(s)	Beck
Beck singles chronology
"Chemtrails" (2008) "Gamma Ray" (2008) "Youthless" (2008)
Alternate covers Cover for the "A" version Cover for the "B" 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 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. Both the A side and B side album covers make use of a Houndstooth pattern.

[edit] 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)

[edit] Music video

The music video 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.

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.whiskeyclone.net/disco/releaseinfo.php?discoID=316#7
2. ^ http://www.amazon.com/BonfireBlondes/dp/B001GPV7A0/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_1
3. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Gamma-Ray/dp/B001GPV77S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1223358312&sr=8-3
4. ^ No byline (December 25, 2008). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-12-25
5. ^ http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=291699672&s=143441
6. ^ http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=291699706&s=143441
7. ^ http://www.insound.com/Beck_%7C_Jay_Reatard/artistmain/artist/INS37727/
8. ^ http://www.insound.com/Beck_Gamma_Ray_bw_Bonfire_Blondes_7inch/productmain/p/INS50695/