Mutations (Beck album)


Mutations is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Beck, released on November 3, 1998 by DGC Records. Though less commercially successful than the preceding Odelay, it won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Background and recording

Mutations was produced by Nigel Godrich, who was well-known at that point for his previous work with Radiohead. The album contains a number of Moog keyboards, acoustic guitars, and string arrangements. The production style was very different from that of his previous album Odelay, which was heavily influenced by hip hop music and contained many samples. The lyrical content of Mutations is also much more somber and serious than that on Odelay, apparent in the songs "Nobody's Fault but My Own" and "Dead Melodies".
The title Mutations may be a nod to an influential Brazilian band of the late 60s, Os Mutantes. The song "Tropicalia" pastiches the works of Brazilian tropicalia artists of the era.

Artwork and packaging

The record's front cover, a picture of Beck tangled in plastic wrap, was taken by music photographer Autumn de Wilde. Art direction was by abstract artist Robert M. Fisher. The interior artwork features sculptures and drawings by artist Tim Hawkinson.

Release

Before beginning the recording sessions, Beck gained permission from the major label he was under contract with, Geffen, to release Mutations on the small indie label Bong Load Records. However, when Geffen executives heard the album, they reneged on their agreement and released the record. This led to a lawsuit filed by Beck against Geffen.
Singles were released for the songs "Tropicalia", "Cold Brains", and "Nobody's Fault but My Own". No promotional music videos were made for any of the singles. Beck appeared on Saturday Night Live in promotion of Mutations, performing "Tropicalia" and "Nobody's Fault but My Own".
Mutations peaked at number 13 in the US, going gold, and achieved 24 in the UK and 23 in Australia. As of July 2008, Mutations has sold 586,000 copies in the United States. As of 1999 it has sold over one million copies worldwide.

Reception

The album received critical acclaim. It gained four stars from Rolling Stone and a 9.0 from Pitchfork. Thomas Ward of AllMusic deemed the record "one of the finest albums of the 1990s".

Track listing

Bonus tracks

There are a variety of bonus tracks on non-US pressings of the album.

Certifications