Mutations is the sixth studio album by the American songwriter 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 known at that point for his 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 Beck's previous album Odelay, which was heavily influenced by hip hop music and contained many samples. The lyrics are also much more somber and serious than those on Odelay, apparent in the songs "Nobody's Fault but My Own" and "Dead Melodies".
Artwork and packaging
The record's front cover, a picture of Beck tangled in plastic wrap, was taken by the music photographer Autumn de Wilde. Art direction was by designer Robert 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" (Australia and New Zealand only), and "Nobody's Fault but My Own" (Japan only). 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 reached 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
Mutations 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
Personnel
Beck – guitar, harmonica, piano, glockenspiel, synthesizer, vocals, producer
Elliot Caine – trumpet
David Campbell – arranger, conductor, viola
Larry Corbett – cello
Warren Klein – sitar, tamboura
Bob Ludwig – mastering
David Ralicke – flute, trombone
Nigel Godrich – producer, mixing
Smokey Hormel – guitar, percussion, background vocals, cuica
Joey Waronker – percussion, drums, synthesizer drums
Robert Fisher – art direction
Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass, percussion, background vocals
Roger Manning – synthesizer, organ, keyboards, harpsichord, background vocals, percussion John Sorenson – assistant engineer Charlie Gross – photography Autumn de Wilde – photography
Charts
Certifications
References
External links
Beck albums
DGC Records albums
1998 albums
Albums arranged by David Campbell (composer) Albums produced by Nigel Godrich Geffen Records albums Albums produced by Beck Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album