Beck: Mutations (LP+7") LP

Since introducing himself to the world in 1994 with his genre-defying, multi-platinum debut, Beck has blazed a path into the future while simultaneously foraging through the past. Throughout his singular career he has utilized all manners and eras of music, blurring boundaries and shattering expectations with each album. 1998's Nigel Godrich-produced Mutations and its world-tripping atmospherics won Beck the Grammy for Best Alternative Album in 2000. After some traumatic personal times, including the death of his grandfather during the making of Odelay, Beck returned in a chipper mood for "Tropicalia" but didn't hide a darker, introverted disposition on "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (later covered by Marianne Faithfull with Beck producing) and "Cold Brains," a wondrous power pop work out with Roger Manning, Jr, Joey Waronker and Justin Meldal-Johnsen underpinning the riffs like some new Hollywood royalty.