Os Mutantes

Released

The trio of brothers Arnaldo Baptista and Sérgio Dias with singer Rita Lee infused Tropicália with wide-eyed exuberance and the reckless abandon of a 5-year-old in a bouncy castle. Taking a name that translates as “the Mutants,” they had the chops to match that youthful energy, careening between tough garage stompers and acid-tinged balladry with glee. Opener “Panis et Circenses” definitely offers the most madcap statement of a band. A blow-by-blow is reductive but also instructive: Triumphant horn fanfare, then dreamy vocal pop, veering into a psychedelic fuzz bomb that suddenly melts like film stuck in a projector. The song speeds back up like a go cart with the brakes cut before ending in a chaotic din of silverware, musique concrete noise, and Strauss’ “The Blue Danube Waltz.” Imagine Un Chien Andalou as garage rock and you’re getting close, all crammed into 3 dizzying minutes. Such audacious joy and sonic U-turns abound on their classic debut.

Andy Beta

Suggestions
Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera cover

Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
The Great Conspiracy cover

The Great Conspiracy

The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
Gilberto Gil cover

Gilberto Gil

Gilberto Gil
Hawkwind cover

Hawkwind

Hawkwind
Space Hymn cover

Space Hymn

Lothar & the Hand People
Release Yourself cover

Release Yourself

Graham Central Station
Crown of Creation cover

Crown of Creation

Jefferson Airplane
Clube Da Esquina cover

Clube Da Esquina

Lô Borges, Milton Nascimento