Mutations

For a guy who's built his rep on 3D sonic puzzles, Mutations' stripped-bare sound and lyrical lucidity -- though the lyrics are stuffed with psychedelic metaphors -- is a stunning achievement and a reminder that Beck is first a songwriter, then a technician. And not at all defanged by the about-face.

Beck is clearly working on a level most others can only dream of, and Mutations is proof of that.

Throughout, Mutations sounds as natural as breathing and as inspirational as an artist at his peak.