Sea Change (album) - Promotion and Release

Promotion and Release

Before release, retailers worried about the commercial impact of Sea Change due to its sound. Analysts predicted the album would not receive heavy radio support, noting that Beck's reputation, critical acclaim and the possibility of multiple Grammy nominations might offset an uncommercial sound. "It's a really beautiful album, but it's going to appeal to a different audience than he's had before," said Vince Szydlowski, senior director of product for the Virgin Megastore chain, shortly before the release of Sea Change. "If you're used to the 'two turntables and a microphone' Beck, then this isn't the record for you. I think it'll go gold, but it'll struggle beyond gold." The album's release date was announced May 31, 2002. In addition, the album's initial track listing was also released, featuring songs in a very different order than their final version, as well as including the track "Ship in a Bottle". The album's title was announced in August 2002. In promotion of the record, new tracks from the record were released in chronological order by track listing weekly through Beck's website in July and August, 2002.

Sea Change was released September 24, 2002.

Around the time of release of the album, there was a four-track sampler named 'Sea Change Album Sampler'. It was packaged like a CD single and contained the following tracks: