Beck debuted songs from his forthcoming Danger Mouse-produced album, 'Modern Guilt,' on Monday night at the Echo in Los Angeles, just around the corner from his hometown Echo Park stomping ground. Also making the scene were his new band: guitarist Jessica Dobson, a singer-songwriter-bandleader (Deep Sea
Diver) in her own right from the OC, local bassist and songwriter Bram Inscore and drummer Scott McPherson (Earlimart, Elliott Smith). Along with usual keys man Brian Lebarton, the band ran down new numbers 'Gamma Ray' and the album's title song, along with recent work including 'Scarecrow' off of 'Guero.' Dobson's vocals were a lovely addition on 'The Information''s 'Nausea' and 'Sunday Sun' from 'Sea Change,' and as a guitarist she rocked the classic 'Odelay'-era songs like 'The New Pollution' and 'Where It's At.'

According to Beck's press office, the soon-to-be released Danger Mouse tracks "vacillate between economy and experimentation, hybrid and pop classicism, while consistently manifesting Beck and Danger Mouse's shared interest in psych-rock, folk, electronic minimalism and orchestration."

Performed live, we think they sound like edgy new wave, but then what do we know? 'Modern Guilt,' due July 8, sports 10 new songs, as well as the digital-only, Grammy-nominated 'Timebomb' from last year.

Beck and band officially launch their tour on August 22 at the inaugural Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, with dates at Seattle's Bumbershoot on August 30, the Hollywood Bowl on September 20, Austin City Limits Festival on September 27 and more to follow.