Beck's seventh album, Sea Change, marked a significant departure in sound and tone from his previous album, Midnite Vultures. Inspired by the end of a long-term relationship, Beck transformed his sadness into a deeply personal and beautiful record, trading his signature sample-filled songs and impressionistic lyrics for pensive melodies, sweeping strings and confessional lyrics. Produced by Nigel Godrich, the album was made with a full band and received wide praise upon its release in 2002. Rolling Stone's David Fricke called it "the best album Beck has ever made" and it was listed in the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and the "100 Best Albums of the 2000s".