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
Gal Costa cover

Gal Costa

Gal Costa
Underground cover

Underground

The Electric Prunes
The Twain Shall Meet cover

The Twain Shall Meet

Eric Burdon & The Animals
Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti cover

Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti

Robson Jorge, Lincoln Olivetti
The American Metaphysical Circus cover

The American Metaphysical Circus

Joe Byrd & the Field Hippies
Before the Dream Faded cover

Before the Dream Faded

The Misunderstood
Freak Out! cover

Freak Out!

The Mothers of Invention, Frank Zappa
L cover

L

Steve Hillage