Os Mutantes, Take Me To Your Leader

Written by Ashknuckles on Monday, 07 September 2009 18:42

You know your music is pretty serious when Kurt Cobain personally writes you a letter and publicly requests a reunion. You know it’s a damn shame your band broke up when Beck pays tribute with a single off his album, and chooses a name that loosely alludes to your band's name. That is ridiculously extraordinary. Os Mutantes, pronounced {uz mu ta chees} meaning “The Mutants,” is just that, an extra ordinary Brazilian band from out of this world. All I can say is, "Mutants, take me to your leader." What is compelling about people and their art, and often makes the craft more enjoyable, are the personal stories and dramas behind it. Often, personal struggles and triumphs add layers and complexity to art and a finished product. Os Mutantes is no exception to the rule of adversity and life. Struggle breeds character. Do a wiki research and find out about these guys and what makes them sound so real.
With this 8th album, it’s hard for me to keep up with “original members,” replacements, and who’s doing what. One thing is certain, whoever is doing it, is doing it well. Not only keeping everyone on their toes—but producing a very specific sound while meeting the extremely high expectation of fans set by their early work and reputation. That is something that’s never been easy to pull off or achieve in music, especially not in times like these. Os Mutantes makes it happen.
Os Mutantes - Haih or Amortecedor

You can hear the winds of change in the measures and melodies. Release of tension, energies, woes, foes, tears, laughter, passion, frustration, liberation, the list goes on. There’s a hint of a middle eastern twang on the track “Teklar” which turns out to be a mid-tempo, folky, rock, multi-vocal, multi-layered ballad. “Baghdad Blues” is oddly sexy and sultry as it oozes and drips in a semi-dark attitude. “Mensagiero” is like that familiar face you’ve seen before, you always think you know the person but turns out to be just another face. It has this recognizable sound, something from a 70’s sitcom theme, or the Brazilian version of The Beatles “Here Comes the Sun.” It’s so friendly and wholesome, but doesn’t make you want loose your mind or do a shit load of drugs. “Anagrama” is a sleepy, kitchy, pouty, whiny, bedtime lullaby. With the occasional help of dog bark and woof here and there, you can play it by campfire while roasting marshmallows and feel safe. This track is easy and breezy, and will remind you of a 50’s Brazilian version of the Sha Na Na band, remember them?

Os Mutantes - O Mensageiro (Haih or Amortecedor 2009)

-- By Ash Knuckles

Os Mutantes