Mutations (Beck album)

1998 studio album by Beck

Mutations

Studio album by

Beck

Released| November 3, 1998
Recorded| March 19–April 3, 1998
Studio| Ocean Way (Hollywood)
Genre|

* Folk rock[1]
* psychedelia[1][2]
* country[3]

Length| 49:17
Label|

* DGC
* Bong Load

Producer|

* Beck Hansen
* Nigel Godrich

Beck chronology
| Odelay
(1996)  | Mutations
(1998)  | Midnite Vultures
(1999)

|
|

Singles from  Mutations

1. "Tropicalia"
Released: December 7, 1998
2. "Cold Brains"
Released: March 1, 1999
3. "Nobody's Fault but My Own"
Released: April 21, 1999 (Japan)

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.[4]

## Background and recording

[edit]

Mutations was produced by Nigel Godrich, who was known at that point for producing Radiohead's OK Computer. The album contains a number of Moog keyboards, acoustic guitars, and string arrangements.[5] 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.[6]

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.[7] As of 1999 it has sold over one million copies worldwide.[8]

## Reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [9]
Entertainment Weekly| B[10]
The Guardian| [11]
Los Angeles Times| [12]
NME| 8/10[13]
Pitchfork| 9.0/10[14]
Q| [15]
Rolling Stone| [16]
Spin| 8/10[17]
The Village Voice| A−[18]

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".[19]

## Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Beck Hansen.

No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Cold Brains"| 3:41
2.| "Nobody's Fault but My Own"| 5:02
3.| "Lazy Flies"| 3:44
4.| "Canceled Check"| 3:14
5.| "We Live Again"| 3:05
6.| "Tropicalia"| 3:20
7.| "Dead Melodies"| 2:36
8.| "Bottle of Blues"| 4:56
9.| "O Maria"| 3:59
10.| "Sing It Again"| 4:19
11.| "Static" (includes hidden track[note 1])| 11:20
Total length:| 49:17

Notes

1. ^ "Static" ends at 4:20, with hidden track "Diamond Bollocks" starting at 5:18

Japanese Edition Bonus TracksNo.| Title| Length

|
|

12.| "Electric Music and the Summer People"| 4:39
13.| "Diamond Bullocks"| 6:02
14.| "Runners Dial Zero"| 4:03

## Personnel

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

Chart (1998–1999)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[20] | 24
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[21] | 6
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] | 40
French Albums (SNEP)[23] | 36
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[24] | 49
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[25] | 24
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[26] | 18
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[27] | 29
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] | 46
UK Albums (OCC)[29] | 24
US Billboard 200[30] | 13

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[31] | Platinum  | 100,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[32] | Gold  | 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] | Gold  | 100,000*
United States (RIAA)[34] | Gold  | 586,000[7]
Summaries
Worldwide  | —  | 1,000,000[8]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Beck Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
2. ^ "Hegemony Rocks: The Devil I Know: Beck's "Guero"". The Wesleyan Argus. April 8, 2005. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
3. ^ Martins, Chris (October 17, 2017). "The L.A./Icon Interview: Beck Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
4. ^ "Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Performance". Rock On The Net. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
5. ^ AllMusic credits entry for Mutations
6. ^ Kaufmann, Gil (October 5, 1999). "Beck Settles Lawsuits Before New Album Release". MTV. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017.
7. ^ a b "Ask Billboard". Billboard. July 18, 2008. Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
8. ^ a b "Beck Countersues Geffen". Billboard. May 22, 1999. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
9. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Mutations – Beck". AllMusic. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
10. ^ Browne, David (October 30, 1998). "Mutations". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
11. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (November 6, 1998). "Beck: Mutations (Geffen)". The Guardian.
12. ^ Nichols, Natalie (November 1, 1998). "Some Intriguing 'Mutations'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
13. ^ Segal, Victoria (October 29, 1998). "Beck – Mutations". NME. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
14. ^ Lieberman, Neil (November 1998). "Beck: Mutations". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 30, 2005. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
15. ^ Gittins, Ian (December 1998). "Beck: Mutations". Q (147): 115. Archived from the original on September 12, 1999. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
16. ^ Brackett, Nathan (November 26, 1998). "Mutations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
17. ^ Wolk, Douglas (December 1998). "Beck: Mutations". Spin. 14 (12): 170–72. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
18. ^ Christgau, Robert (December 15, 1998). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
19. ^ AllMusic review for the track "Cold Brains"
20. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Beck – Mutations". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
21. ^ "Beck Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
22. ^ "Beck: Mutations" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
23. ^ "Lescharts.com – Beck – Mutations". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
24. ^ "Officialcharts.de – Beck – Mutations". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
25. ^ "Charts.nz – Beck – Mutations". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
26. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Beck – Mutations". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
27. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Beck – Mutations". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
28. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Beck – Mutations". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
29. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
30. ^ "Beck Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
31. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Beck – Mutations". Music Canada.
32. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Beck – Mutations" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1998年11月 on the drop-down menu
33. ^ "British album certifications – Beck – Mutations". British Phonographic Industry.
34. ^ "American album certifications – Beck – Mutations". Recording Industry Association of America.

## External links

[edit]

* Mutations at MusicBrainz

* v
* t
* e

Beck

Studio albums|

* Golden Feelings
* Stereopathetic Soulmanure
* Mellow Gold
* One Foot in the Grave
* Odelay
* Mutations
* Midnite Vultures
* Sea Change
* Guero
* The Information
* Modern Guilt
* Morning Phase
* Colors
* Hyperspace

Remix albums|

* Guerolito

EPs|

* A Western Harvest Field by Moonlight
* Beck
* Paisley Park Sessions

Compilations|

* Stray Blues

Official singles|

| Album|

* "Loser"
* "Pay No Mind (Snoozer)"
* "Beercan"
* "It's All in Your Mind"
* "Where It's At"
* "Devils Haircut"
* "The New Pollution"
* "Sissyneck"
* "Jack-Ass"
* "Tropicalia"
* "Cold Brains"
* "Nobody's Fault but My Own"
* "Sexx Laws"
* "Mixed Bizness"
* "Nicotine & Gravy"
* "Lost Cause"
* "Guess I'm Doing Fine"
* "E-Pro"
* "Girl"
* "Hell Yes"
* "Cellphone's Dead"
* "Nausea"
* "Think I'm in Love"
* "Chemtrails"
* "Gamma Ray"
* "Youthless"
* "Blue Moon"
* "Waking Light"
* "Say Goodbye"
* "Heart Is a Drum"
* "Dreams"
* "Wow"
* "Up All Night"
* "Saw Lightning"
* "Uneventful Days"
* "Dark Places"
* "Everlasting Nothing"

|

Non-album|

* "Deadweight"
* "Timebomb"
* "Looking for a Sign"
* "I Just Started Hating Some People Today"
* "Defriended"
* "Odyssey"

Other singles|

| Promotional|

* "Orphans"
* "Wave"

|

Featured|

* "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?"
* "Heaven Can Wait"
* "The Valley of the Pagans"

Other notable songs|

| As performer|

* "Fuckin with My Head (Mountain Dew Rock)"
* "Truckdrivin Neighbors Downstairs (Yellow Sweat)"
* "Steal My Body Home"
* "Broken Train"
* "Debra"
* "Diamond Dogs"
* "I'm So Glad"
* "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime"

|

As writer|

* "Feel Good Time"

Other projects|

| Collaborations|

* Record Club
* Song Reader
* Song Reader: The Musical

|

Albums as producer|

* Conquest EP
* Kissin Time
* IRM
* Mirror Traffic
* Demolished Thoughts
* Stage Whisper
* 3 Pears
* Wig Out at Jagbags

See also|

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* "Bendin' in the Wind"
* Dust Brothers
* Nigel Godrich
* Danger Mouse
* Deconstructing Beck

Family|

* Marissa Ribisi (ex-wife)
* David Campbell (father)
* Bibbe Hansen (mother)
* Al Hansen (grandfather)
* Giovanni Ribisi (ex-brother-in-law)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album

1990s|

* I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got — Sinéad O'Connor (1991)
* Out of Time — R.E.M. (1992)
* Bone Machine — Tom Waits (1993)
* Zooropa — U2 (1994)
* Dookie — Green Day (1995)
* MTV Unplugged in New York — Nirvana (1996)
* Odelay — Beck (1997)
* OK Computer — Radiohead (1998)
* Hello Nasty — Beastie Boys (1999)

2000s|

* Mutations — Beck (2000)
* Kid A — Radiohead (2001)
* Parachutes — Coldplay (2002)
* A Rush of Blood to the Head — Coldplay (2003)
* Elephant — The White Stripes (2004)
* A Ghost Is Born — Wilco (2005)
* Get Behind Me Satan — The White Stripes (2006)
* St. Elsewhere — Gnarls Barkley (2007)
* Icky Thump — The White Stripes (2008)
* In Rainbows — Radiohead (2009)

2010s|

* Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix — Phoenix (2010)
* Brothers — The Black Keys (2011)
* Bon Iver — Bon Iver (2012)
* Making Mirrors — Gotye (2013)
* Modern Vampires of the City — Vampire Weekend (2014)
* St. Vincent — St. Vincent (2015)
* Sound & Color — Alabama Shakes (2016)
* Blackstar — David Bowie (2017)
* Sleep Well Beast — The National (2018)
* Colors — Beck (2019)

2020s|

* Father of the Bride — Vampire Weekend (2020)
* Fetch the Bolt Cutters — Fiona Apple (2021)
* Daddy's Home – St. Vincent (2022)
* Wet Leg – Wet Leg (2023)
* The Record – Boygenius (2024)
* All Born Screaming – St. Vincent (2025)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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