Review by LarryG
3 stars out of 4
Beck confirmed his status as the most interesting performer of our time
with Mutations. After making two collage-like cds filled with samples,
Beck took the chance of alienating his audience with a more traditional
band album. Beck started as a folk singer and as he showed on Odelay's
Jackass, he's comfortable in a country slacker setting. He still adds
some sound effects and synths for texture but the effects don't overwhelm
the songs. Similarly, the lyrics are surreal but still fit within the
country blues tradition. You could never call Beck boring but, Mutations
is a little on the low key side. It comes as a relief when Tropicalia
speeds things up a little and adds a Latin beat. But Mutations works as
a coherent, relaxed and respectful whole. It certainly bodes well for
Beck continuing to have an excitingly unpredictable career.
Here's what others reviewers have to say:
"...it's a warm, slow, understated downer of a record, all about
death and depression, and therefore totally in line with Beck's
fascination and comfort with folk blues..." 8 (out of 10)
Spin 12/98, pp.170-172
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