Mutations

( 4 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Martin Johnson
After nearly reinventing rock for a post hip-hop world -- and rescuing postmodernity from the cliché scrap heap in the process -- Beck Hansen opts to play it straight on his 1998 release, MUTATIONS. Alarmingly straightforward in comparison to the cut-and-paste samplefests found on ODELAY and MELLOW GOLD, the new recording is nonetheless full of affecting songs and meticulous details. "Nobody's Fault but Mine" is vaguely psychedelic and "Tropicalia" is a tribute to Brazilian musical rebels like Caetano Veloso and Jorge Ben, while "Static" rides sadly and beautifully on a pinging rhythm guitar line. And lest the recording be read as a departure, MUTATIONS closes with ...
See more details below
CD
$13.83
BN.com price
(Save 1%)$13.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (CD)
  • All (27) from $1.99   
  • New (11) from $7.99   
  • Used (16) from $1.99   

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Martin Johnson
After nearly reinventing rock for a post hip-hop world -- and rescuing postmodernity from the cliché scrap heap in the process -- Beck Hansen opts to play it straight on his 1998 release, MUTATIONS. Alarmingly straightforward in comparison to the cut-and-paste samplefests found on ODELAY and MELLOW GOLD, the new recording is nonetheless full of affecting songs and meticulous details. "Nobody's Fault but Mine" is vaguely psychedelic and "Tropicalia" is a tribute to Brazilian musical rebels like Caetano Veloso and Jorge Ben, while "Static" rides sadly and beautifully on a pinging rhythm guitar line. And lest the recording be read as a departure, MUTATIONS closes with the unlisted "Diamond Bollocks," which zigzags from screeching rock to gentle folk with feedback, samples, and strange fades. Yep -- meet the new Beck, same as the old Beck. And only a fool wouldn't be drawn to the music.
All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
According to party line, neither Beck nor Geffen ever intended Mutations to be considered as the official follow-up to Odelay, his Grammy-winning breakthrough. It was more like One Foot in the Grave, designed to be an off-kilter, subdued collection of acoustic-based songs pitched halfway between psychedelic country blues and lo-fi folk. The presence of producer Nigel Godrich, the man who helmed Radiohead's acclaimed OK Computer, makes such claims dubious. Godrich is not a slick producer, but he's no Calvin Johnson, either, and Mutations has an appropriately clean, trippy feel. There's little question that with the blues, country, psych, bossa nova, and folk that comprise it, Mutations was never meant to be a commercial endeavor -- there's no floor-shaker like "Where It's At," and it doesn't trade in the junk culture that brought Odelay to life. Recording with his touring band -- marking the first time he has entered the studio with a live band -- does result in a different sound, but it's not so much a departure as it is a side road that is going in the same direction. None of the songs explore new territory, but they're rich, lyrically and musically. There's an off-the-cuff wit to the songwriting, especially on "Canceled Check" and "Bottle of Blues," and the performances are natural, relaxed, and laid-back, without ever sounding complacent. In fact, one of the nifty tricks of Mutations is how it sounds simple upon the first listen, then reveals more psychedelic layers upon each play. 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.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 11/3/1998
  • Label: Geffen Records
  • UPC: 720642530924
  • Catalog Number: 25309
  • Sales rank: 53,693

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Cold Brains (3:41)
  2. 2 Nobody's Fault But My Own (5:02)
  3. 3 Lazy Flies (3:43)
  4. 4 Canceled Check (3:14)
  5. 5 We Live Again (3:04)
  6. 6 Tropicalia (3:20)
  7. 7 Dead Melodies (2:35)
  8. 8 Bottle of Blues (4:55)
  9. 9 O Maria (4:00)
  10. 10 Sing It Again (4:19)
  11. 11 Static (11:19)
Read More Show Less

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Beck Primary Artist, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Glockenspiel, Vocals
Elliot Caine Trumpet
David Campbell Conductor, Viola
Larry Corbett Cello
Warren Klein Sitar, Tamboura
David Ralicke Flute, Trombone
Smokey Hormel Guitar, Percussion, Background Vocals, Quica
Joey Waronker Percussion, Drums, Synthesizer Drums
Justin Meldal-Johnsen Bass, Percussion, Background Vocals
Roger Manning Synthesizer, Keyboards, Background Vocals
Technical Credits
Beck Producer
David Campbell Arranger
Bob Ludwig Mastering
Nigel Godrich Producer
Robert Fisher Art Direction
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 4 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(1)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Sublime Joozhoodle

    Beck's slurred delivery of goofy meloncholy is like a big white cartoon eyeball winking at you out of a dark pit of swirling purple vapor, while periodically, slighty incongruous and out-of-context rubber toys and other various objects come flying out of the same comically sinister vortex as if they were being propped up by a mysterious force and then lazily but forcefully punted by Beck's shuffling feet. Very enjoyable and accessible. Perhaps a little short-lived.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Euphoria in a square cd case

    Of all the god-like beck cds, this one is not by far the best. This cd is very good, I have all 8 beck cds and stray blues, and i would rate this one the best, although not as eclectic as stereopathetic soulmanure, Mutations is the most mellow funky sounding cd that beck has out.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    listen all the way through

    This is a very mellow, country-influenced album which you can listen to in its entirety without wanting to skip tracks. Strong sing-along factor, especially the second time around.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 4, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews