Tuesday tunes: Beck; the Faint; Coldplay and R.E.M. team up

Beck’s streaming new songs on his iLike page from “Modern Guilt,” his new album, expected in stores July 8.

The songs “Orphans,” “Chemtrails” and “Gamma Ray” were produced by Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley fame, as was the album itself.

While I’ve seen some write-ups saying the tunes prove Beck is the King of Reinvention, I have my doubts after a couple listens. Frankly, I don’t hear a good enough hook on the upbeat songs – although I have come around on the space-rock approach of “Chemtrails,” so maybe I’m judging too quickly. I’ve also seen people praise the minimalist approach of the songs – but who wants minimalism from Beck and Danger Mouse? Not me. I want to dance.

Speaking of moving, everybody’s favorite dark new wave group from Omaha, the Faint, have tossed a new song up on its mess of a MySpace page. (Incidentally, if that MySpace page gives you trouble, just go here.)

The song, “The Geeks Were Right” sounds like … the Faint. No huge surprises here; it’s just the type of indie rock the indie kids will do their indie, indie dances to. The group’s new album, “Fasciinatiion,” is expected on Aug. 5. Are the extra i’s for indie? Maybe.

Finally, have you heard this collaboration between REM and Coldplay on “In the Sun?” It’s pretty good. Check it out.