Thursday, May 22, 2008

Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes


  1. "Panis et Circenses"
  2. "A Minha Menina"
  3. "O Relógio"
  4. "Adeus, Maria Fulô"
  5. "Baby"
  6. "Senhor F"
  7. "Bat Macumba"
  8. "Le Premier Bonheur du Jour"
  9. "Trem Fantasma"
  10. "Tempo no Tempo"
  11. "Ave, Genghis Khan"

So, I've been just wrecked over what would make for the perfect "maiden post". Certainly, such superficial, sensitive fare has no place here. Nevertheless, I can't shake the idea that if I don't tear out of the gate, my midget jockey won't be of any assistance. I assure you, you'll see the midget jockey soon enough.


For now, I have a much more delectable treat. It comes in the form of three revolutionary Brazilians, who voraciously fought banality ( and concurrently; a brutal military dictatorship) with a simply unparalleled sense of exploration...and apparently psychoactive drugs.

Now, if nothing in that previous paragraph intrigues you, might I ask; Is you, or is you isn't dead? This record is an absolute MUST for fans of psychedelic music or just genuinely intoxicating pop music. Not only were Os Mutantes decades ahead of their counterparts, in terms of awe-inspiring control of their experimental outbursts; they are the torch bearers and poster children of the Tropicalia movement of the 1960s. This also stands as one of the rare instances that non-English music ignores, neigh, scoffs, neigh, shilimas! at the language barrier. So lyrical and honest are these mutants, human connection to their craft comes with ease. Where the Beatles White Album (also released in 1968) was riddled with heavy, disorienting forays into the wild, "Panis et Circenses" weaves effortlessly in and out of Bahian Folk and flat out Rock and Roll. Or when "O Relógio" really kicks in. God Damn. Need I remind you of the frenetic burst of Bat Macumba? The seamless shift into Batucada in "Adeus Maria Fulô" There is not a moment of dullness on this record, and I say that almost exactly 40 years after it's release. For fans of Beck, Cornershop, Mr. Bungle, Talking Heads, Stereolab, the Elephant Six Collective, Progressive Rock; this is a lovely precursor. However, I must warn the light of heart. This album rules. It is under no circumstances easy-listening. Os Mutantes will attack and posses you. Food will taste bland. Sergio Dias and Rita Lee's harmonies will haunt your every thought. You will begin to smoke and your hair will fall out.
erm... Enjoy
P.S. To anyone who knows me. I dare you to tell me I don't look like Sergio Dias. I dare you.
-The Cool Jerk

Os Mutantes: I adorn you 10 Galileo Galilei's out of 10.
(clickin' the heads will take you to the download link)


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