mk,
While I agree with you that some of Beck's music does come across as insincere, his album Sea Change is a really fantastic piece of work. It's the kind of album that many rock/pop musicians strive to make and that he will not be able to replicate. It's incredibly sincere and as such, stands in stark contrast with the rest of his body of work.
He ditches all the sampling and incorporates more actual instrumentation, with beautiful string arrangements and simpler (more sincere) lyrics. He openly cites the breakup with his long time girlfriend as his opus.
Also doesn't hurt that it was produced by Nigel Godrich
So, if you never listen to any other Beck album again that's fine... but keep Sea Change around. It's worth it.
This will get you started, it's the first song off the album, titled "Golden Age" and I think it may have the best first lyric of any album:
Put your hands on the wheel, let the golden age begin
Enjoy mk