“No, Os Mutantes, you are beautiful!” I thought this as the group’s figurehead and lead singer Sérgio Dias humbly lavished praise on the happy audience. And to think that I’d almost given up on the show because of bad traffic! What great fortune if you, too, have had the privilege of experiencing Os Mutantes live. Melophobe caught up with the five-man, one-woman group at The Aladdin Theater on Wednesday night. They were between San Francisco and Seattle, sleep deprived and homesick for their beloved São Paulo, Brazil. Nevertheless, they put on the most spectacularly fun show I’ve seen in a long, long time. I must preface this with how much more meaningful a show is when you’ve sat down and talked with the artists, watched them pin, prod and polish their stage garb, listened to the warming up of vocal cords, and inconspicuously observed a pre-show pep-up (I wish I spoke Portuguese!).
Versatile. Theatrical. Hot. What word best sums up Os Mutantes? The world beat initially brought to mind Pink Martini, but I soon had no idea why. Pink Martini is bland and sedate in comparison to this flaming shot of sound that races your pulse one minute (like the immediate burn of alcohol against your tongue and back of the throat) and lulls you in sweet harmonies the next (that lovely swinging existence on the road to drunken bliss). No, I think a more appropriate comparison could be made to Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, if simply for the frenetic energy with which both groups approach their music and cater to their audiences. In no time at all, Os Mutantes succeeded in transforming the good folks at the Aladdin into gleefully seductive dance machines. Take one front row couple:
They swing tight together
She pushes him hard away and waves her hand in his face
He reaches out, cups her cheeks in his hands
They toss their hands up high over their heads and sweep them down over their bodies
He smoothes his hair and edges a hip in toward her
She shakes her head and looks away
He strokes her hair and they dance
It is obvious that Os Mutantes are highly skilled musicians and performers, and that, in spite of the difficulties of the nomadic touring lifestyle, they absolutely love what they do. I don’t think, however, that much of this is communicated by enjoying their music in the privacy of your own home. No, you must trek out and experience them LIVE! And when that happy day comes that you should find yourself, twitchingly impatient, standing in a long line outside some venue waiting to snake into an expensive (but oh so worth it!) Os Mutantes show, take a deep breath and prepare yourself for ripping guitar solos, hearty whole-group singing, irritatingly catchy beats, and romantic melodies that shred into noise. Oh, and don’t forget your dancing shoes and extra deodorant!
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i saw them open for the Cave Singers, not very original, the crowd was not into it either, frankly i think they suck
by rigamarole on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 11.30 am from the entry: The Dutchess & The Duke Tour Dates, Y'all
hey u gotta give yoko credit for winning that many gold medals, for a woman her age to compete in a sport like speed skating is nothing short of amazing! go yoko!
by rockmonovich on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 11.25 am from the entry: Is Kate Moss the next Yoko?
Great post.really he has the ability that he can do anything possible.Thanks
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CEMETERY
by SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CEMETERY on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 03.56 am from the entry: Jim Morrison's Ghost Pic
Oh I see. I was wondering if you were talking about the picture. Really glad you liked it. Have you checked her out yet?
by Colin on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02.29 pm from the entry: Interview - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
yes! The interview is great, and the photo shows off the glow
by Ian on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01.29 pm from the entry: Interview - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
Great post! Really digging the new record a lot. The Rainwater LP has some gorgeous moments - definitely recommend checking it out. There are 3 of the new songs up on the myspace page: myspace.com/citizencope
by MattKlomp on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 03.16 am from the entry: Citizen Cope - Paradise Theater (Boston, MA; Feb. 27, 2010 )
haha is that a compliment?
by colin on Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 06.49 pm from the entry: Interview - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
