BECK

"MUTATIONS"

(Uni/Geffen)

-Franco Vlasic

Yet again, Beck's style of music goes through a extreme mutation, hence the name of the new release, "Mutations". This album potrays the softer side of Beck and shows no resemblence to the mainstrem debut, "Mellow Gold," which fit in perfectly with the music of the time. The follow up, "Odelay," had a western like theme, which was mixed in with some hip-hop beats. "Mutations" is mostly a far cry from either of the previous albums, because of the much smoother and softer sound. "Tropicalia," perhaps the only solid hit on the record, is fantastic and resembles a song that can have you doing the cha-cha in minutes. Some of the other songs on the album might be confused with the songs played in the "Under the Sea Dance" that took place during the 50's in the hit movie "Back to the Future". "Canceled Check" and "Bottle of Blues" are songs that are most similar to the featured cowboy western idea of "Odelay," but don't really have the same groove that the songs on "Odelay" possesed.

RATING: 6