http://jackasspenguins.tumblr.com/post/117795808846/audio_player_iframe/jackasspenguins/tumblr_mlcly8WIFQ1r26r5a?audio_file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tumblr.com%2Faudio_file%2Fjackasspenguins%2F117795808846%2Ftumblr_mlcly8WIFQ1r26r5a

decemberembers:

Song of the Day #106

Os Mutantes – “Panis et Circenses” (Os Mutantes, 1968)

I first listened to Os Mutantes because I knew the Elephant 6 crowd were obsessed with them. I can especially see the link to the Olivia Tremor Control, who had a similar approach to making psychedelic music – with an honest focus on melody and harmony amidst an inventive approach to instrumentation (you can always tell both bands are having fun rather than trying to sound “psychedelic” per se. But it always sounds wildly unique). Os Mutantes mixed Western psych-rock with tropicalia, which is a really perfect combination.

I especially love the way the melody of “Panis et Circenses” works. It’s not beautifully sung (in an endearing way), but it’s quite a trickily leaping thing, and the harmonies are gorgeous too. There’s a killer horn part in there too, which has a really interesting approach to rhythm. At the end, the song cuts out and Os Mutantes stop and have dinner. Why not?

I love that you can hear the Blue Danube waltz at the end behind the tinkling china and the far out Moog. They no doubt had some “experiences” watching 2001.