BECK - Mutations
(DGC/Bongload)
Release Date: 11/03/98
Review: Mark Woodlief
(November 03, 1998)
From the symbolic images of its CD sleeve to the psychedelic, almost mystical, sonics within, Beck's new album is the most fascinating and moody of his rising career. With Mutations, Beck continues to confound expectations -- seemingly this can't be the same artist who made Odelay, One Foot In The Grave or Mellow Gold -- with inventive and innovative songwriting, graceful skills and commanding presence.
If Odelay allowed Beck to become everybody's favorite blue-eyed purveyor of sun-baked Cali hip-hop -- his James Brown-inspired soul-revue touring shows were fervent displays of culture envy -- Mutations finds Mr. Hansen embracing the singer-songwriter/band leader role from a different perspective. The record displays gorgeous orchestration ("We Live Again," "Lazy Flies"), breezy Brazilian leanings ("Tropicalia"), gauzy, sitar-accented beauty ("Nobody's Fault But My Own"), and a range of American influences including country, blues and garage-band aesthetics. Mutations is funky is ways Odelay (a seriously funky record) wasn't -- its lush, rich character makes the record more like a finely crafted wine. Like a 40 oz., you can enjoy Odelay any time you're thirsty for it; Mutations is more subtle, but just as rewarding.
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