Beck Hansen's most accessible disc to date all but defies comparison. It's a little Donovon, a little early Bowie and some Beatles' white album tossed in for good measure. But these similarities do not overpower - they wash in and out with the ebb and flow of one genre morphing into another. For Mutations, Beck has put aside the discordant hip-hop of Odelay! and goofy Gen-X snicker-snicker of Mellow Gold. Languid vocals and a hypnotic mood prevail over rich layers of acoustic arrangments, twang, psychedelia, synths, sitars and even bossa nova. Like a travelogue into his subconscious, Mutations tours Beck's psyche, his influences and varying moods. Songs like "Bottle Of Blues" and "Canceled Check" are catchy, hummable ditties, while "Cold Brains," "Nobody's Fault But My Own" and "We Live Again" mesmerize with their introspective meanderings. Seems that America's most adorable geek has grown up. Lest you think he takes himself too seriously, Beck's grotesque imagery and clever musings sting with irony. Somehow, though, he still maintains a sincerity that distinguishes himself from the hipster wannabes out there trying to smirk their way onto a Rolling Stone cover.

I can't believe the consistency with which Beck shows his ability to manipulate so many types of music. This is a great example. You know how there are those CDs where you listen to a few tracks, but you skip the rest? Well, this is not one of those. This is one where you listen all the way through and love it. Beck's gotta be credited as one of the greatest musicians today. Who else comes up with an album on a yearly basis? And don't say Backstreet Boys, cause that's crap. I'm talkin' about people who write their own music and lyrics, and actually put themselves into it. Beck is obviously influenced by such greats as The Beatles, Bob Dylan and others, and he's not ashamed to show it. If you liked Odelay, this may not be your bag, but if you like Beck, you'll love it.

Years ago I heard Beck perform the dreamily concocted, beautifully sung "Nobody's Fault But My Own" on Saturday Night Live. Played onstage, I recall the song sounded even more harrowing and drawn out than I later thought it was on disc, but in any case, I remember really loving its intensely resigned and tuneful sound and vowed to check out the CD "Mutations" later on. Well, it's much later on and I can relate that "Mutations" is definitely worth owning. Funny enough, "Nobody's Fault" is definitely one of the more serious-sounding, somewhat anguished songs on this CD; the rest are mostly breezy gems that would be right at home on a windswept beach with a cool beverage in hand. In fact, much of this album reminds me of what Syd Barrett might be writing and singing if he were a young working artist today.

Even on his low-key songs, Beck is always so brilliant at adding in cool harmonica, keyboard, slide guitar and all sorts of unique instruments that the rest of us have never heard of. Though he's a whiz at inserting hip-hop beats and a slew of electronic trickery on his albums, this one is refreshingly stripped down. The poppy "Lazy Flies" reminds me of a Syd Barrett tune -- right down to the slight British accent Beck employs in the vocals -- but better and more focused. The lazy country twang of "Canceled Check" reminds me a bit of the song "San Tropez" on Pink Floyd's

(a post-Barrett record), while "Tropicalia," as its name would imply, is a feel-good summer song that anybody could enjoy.

There is also a retro, fairy tale-esque sound to this CD on such songs as "We Live Again" and "Dead Melodies," which, to me, are reminiscent of Floyd's

-era material. Gentle acoustics, elegant harpsichord, a touch of country, close vocals and an overall easy-flowing vibe -- "Mutations" modestly has it all. Weirdly, this CD made me want to reach back to past Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd compositions, while simultaneously attracting me to Beck's succeeding work. Like Barrett, Beck is a wildly experimental musician who's ahead of his time. By being less musically splashy than is the case on most of his other CDs, "Mutations" is itself quite an experimental creation by Beck.

Note: some pretty cool and loose rock `n' roll ends this album after "Static" as a hidden track.

This is very different from Odelay, its much more stripped down and raw. This album is much more mature, his lyrics have improved greatly. My favorite tracks are Cold Brains, Lazy Flies and Tropicalia. I probably wouldn't start out with this as your first Beck album, probably Odelay. Mutations is more of an aquired taste, more acoustic and folky. Mutations is an amazing album and shouldn't be compared to his other albms because Beck does new and innovative on every single one of his albums. If you are more into a party/dance album...buy Odelay. But if you want to hear in my opinion, Beck at his best, buy Mutations.

vastly different from Odelay, this album is. one might wonder exactly what sort of mindset mr. beck was in at the time of its conception. it's true that this isn't as broad or experimental or maybe creative or blahblahblah as odelay, but what this album may lack in variety, it makes up for in genuine, lovely lyrics and gentle acoustic sets. think of it as odelay tuned and stripped down. the more jostling tracks, 'lazy flies' and 'tropicalia', along with the near ten minute hidden song, even out the flow. each track compliments well with one another; all are similar in structure with the same lazy, mellowed pace--i personally think that's a positive aspect. from the breathtaking 'cold brains', 'nobody's fault but my own', to 'static', this record is the prettiest to date. gentle and well-rounded, similar to such tracks(on odelay) as 'jackass', 'readymade', and 'ramshackle.' i personally really dig this album, i think it's soothing and just sweet. for those of you seeking more energetic, more, well, "BECK"-y beck, odelay may be more appropriate, but, if what you're seeking is a softer, gentler, more intricate beck, get this right now.