Mutations
According to party line, neither Beck nor Geffen ever intended Mutations to… Read Full Bio ↴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.
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Mutations
Beck Lyrics


Bottle of Blues "I just found me a bottle of blues. Some strange comfort…
Canceled Check I hate to do this But you're a pain in the…
Cold Brains Cold brains, Unmoved, Untouched, Unglued Alone at last No th…
Dead Melodies Where will you go When this day is over A…
Lazy Flies Lazy flies all hovering above The magistrate he puts on his…
Nobody's Fault But My Own When they catch all they wanted from you And they find…
O Maria There was no one nothing to see The night is useless…
Sing It Again A town of disrespect The trains are wrecked The night…
Static Can you feel it in the airwaves Rollin down the lane Black…
Tropicalia Oh, when they beat upon a broken guitar And all…
We Live Again These withered hands Have dug for a dream Sifted through…


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