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Critic Reviews
100
For a guy who's built his rep on 3D sonic puzzles, Mutations' stripped-bare sound and lyrical lucidity -- though the lyrics are stuffed with psychedelic metaphors -- is a stunning achievement and a reminder that Beck is first a songwriter, then a technician. And not at all defanged by the about-face.
2y
90
Beck is clearly working on a level most others can only dream of, and Mutations is proof of that.
15y
80
If you’re big on the whole New Acoustic thing Mutations really is a must. It’s certainly better than anything that scene is yet to produce. And this album is further evidence that if Beck decided to make an album of humming, it’d probably rule.
12y
80
Beck is not only a startling songwriter -- his best songs are simultaneously modern and timeless -- he is a sharp record-maker, crafting albums that sound distinct and original, no matter how much they may borrow. In its own quiet, organic way, Mutations confirms this as much as either Mellow Gold or Odelay.
15y
80
'Mutations' might be the inveterate individualist's way of keeping ahead, but more gladdeningly, it swerves the style diktats and mint-condition rareties in favour of pure emotion.
13y
80
Beck's endless spiel of absurdities keeps revolving itself into the archetypal intensity of tradition, sometimes even profundity.
11y
80
It’s that combination of the straight for ward and the surreal that Beck has always pursued, and on Mutations he’s found some kind of balance. Like the blues singer he once wanted to be, he broods, moans and frets – but there’s joy in the music.
11y
80
Throughout, Mutations sounds as natural as breathing and as inspirational as an artist at his peak.
4y
75
Mutations is like an experimental indie film — a pleasant, and welcome, diversion that’s more important for where it’s at than for what it is.
10y
70
Light, maybe; insubstantial, hardly.
2y
Nigel Godrich produced, one year on from OK Computer. Stands next to Odelay on its own right. Not as off the wall, more just knocking it out of the park indie country/folk songs. Great vocal melodies on here, esp love We Live Again and Dead Melodies. Tropicalia is a without a doubt a great tune, but it feels like the label was like "uh, we need a song for the masses".
After the huge success of Odelay, Beck decides to release a chill, laid back acoustic album called "Mutations"
Released in 1998, Mutations is Beck's departure from his sample-heavy, party rap hits into warm, psych-folk and breezy chamber-pop. The album trades ironic slacker funk for intricate melodies, acoustic arrangements, and a surprisingly gorgeous balance of dark imagery and playful surrealism.
Instead of Beck releasing another "Odelay", Beck shows a lot more of ... read more
Take: a bit alternative folk, some lo-fi, a spoon psychedelia, a splash exotica and a little blues, leave anything rather rocky acoustic and you get Mutations by Beck David Hansen. Another artist I became aware again browsing through 25 anniversary albums this year. First time I got in touch with Beck's music I was not very interested, but now, 25 years after publishing of Mutations, this album arouses my interest to listen to more music of this remarkable artist. Mutations is a successful ... read more
Beck Discography Dive
Album 5 - Mutations
Mutations moves away from the sampling that made up the foundation of Odelay, shifting towards string and acoustic arrangements blended with psychedelia. It's a melancholic experience, one that I haven't particularly found in Beck's discography yet. Despite in its sound shift, it wouldn't be Beck if the eclecticism of previous records up to this point didn't remain in tact.
Its high production quality is not in vain. Beck has ... read more
After the huge success of Odelay, Beck decides to release a chill, laid back acoustic album called "Mutations"
Released in 1998, Mutations is Beck's departure from his sample-heavy, party rap hits into warm, psych-folk and breezy chamber-pop. The album trades ironic slacker funk for intricate melodies, acoustic arrangements, and a surprisingly gorgeous balance of dark imagery and playful surrealism.
Instead of Beck releasing another "Odelay", Beck shows a lot more of ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | Cold Brains 3:41 | 88 |
| 2 | Nobody's Fault But My Own 5:02 | 87 |
| 3 | Lazy Flies 3:43 | 84 |
| 4 | Canceled Check 3:14 | 79 |
| 5 | We Live Again 3:03 | 83 |
| 6 | Tropicalia 3:20 | 92 |
| 7 | Dead Melodies 2:35 | 80 |
| 8 | Bottle Of Blues 4:54 | 82 |
| 9 | O Maria 3:59 | 81 |
| 10 | Sing It Again 4:18 | 79 |
| 11 | Static 4:21 | 83 |
| 12 | Diamond Bollocks 6:00 Hidden Track | 89 |
Total Length: 48 minutes
