Original co-founder Sergio Dias remains committed to the cause that birthed Os Mutantes back in 1966 in Sao Paulo: to challenge political and musical convention. The band’s configuration today differs from yesterday, but Dias coauthors these tunes with fellow Brazilian iconoclast Tom Zé, ensuring an always-shifting musical ground. The album combines heavy rock guitar chords with traditional instruments and rhythms, flutey jazz and samba, wacky funk, melodic and mellow pop. Standout tracks: “Querida Querida,” “Teclar,” “O Mensageiro” and “Anagrama.” You can follow along with English translations of the Portuguese lyrics.
This article appears in Dec 10-16, 2009.