Os Mutantes

Fool Metal Jack (Krian Music Group)

Time hasn’t been kind to Os Mutantes. The Brazilians’ seminal back catalog bears the distinct time stamp of late Sixties São Paulo – avant-pop Tropicália – and 2009’s unexpected comeback Haih or Amortecedor did little to summon its warped charm. Sérgio Dias, lone member from the original trio, crosses over here with an album predominately sung in English. Fool Metal Jack looks at modern America with kaleidoscope eyes, but it’s more bad parody than pastiche. There are a couple of relative high points – Gilberto Gil’s “Eu Descobri” (“I Discovered”) and “Into Limbo,” a pastoral tribute to Dias’ brother Arnaldo Baptista – the keyword being “relative.” Better to burn out than fade away? Here’s proof you can have it both ways. (Sat., 10pm, Reverberation stage)

*.5

This article appears in April 26 • 2013.

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