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
Dust cover

Dust

Screaming Trees
Secret Treaties cover

Secret Treaties

Blue Öyster Cult
Índia cover

Índia

Gal Costa
Tropicália 2 cover

Tropicália 2

Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso
S.F. Sorrow cover

S.F. Sorrow

The Pretty Things
Estatica cover

Estatica

Marcos Valle
The Stooges cover

The Stooges

The Stooges
Long Years in Space cover

Long Years in Space

Neighb'rhood Childr'n
Vol. 3: A Child’s Guide to Good & Evil cover

Vol. 3: A Child’s Guide to Good & Evil

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band