A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado
Os Mutantes
1970
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Released in March 1970, A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado is the third studio album by the iconic Os Mutantes, marking a crucial point in the band's trajectory and in Brazilian music. In this work, the original trio, comprising Arnaldo Baptista, Rita Lee and Sérgio Dias, deepens its sonic exploration, consolidating a style that blends psychedelic rock with a genuinely Brazilian identity and avant-garde experimentalism. The record stands out for its ability to fuse genres, presenting a dense soundscape full of inventions that surprise with every listen. This album demonstrates Os Mutantes' mastery in creating a 'distorted originality', transforming musical references into something completely unique. The title track, "Ando Meio Desligado", is an exquisite example of this fusion, with its distinctive bassline progressing between jazz, rock and gospel, and its growing dialogue between organ and guitar. With complex arrangements and innovative studio techniques, the album solidifies the band's status as pioneers of experimental rock in Brazil.
You will never see your refrigerator the same way again.
Bruno Natal · Rolling Stone Brasil
Context
The release of A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado in 1970 occurred in Brazil at the height of the military dictatorship's repression, a period known as the Anos de Chumbo. Despite the adverse political scenario, the country was experiencing an effervescent cultural moment, with the music industry in full ascendancy and artistic resistance flourishing amidst censorship. Os Mutantes, who had already distinguished themselves in the Tropicalista movement, found fertile ground for their innovative sound in this context, although they also experienced the pressures and exile of important Tropicalismo figures, such as Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, which influenced a shift in their sound. The band had released two acclaimed albums, Mutantes (1968) and Mutantes (1969), which had already established their reputation for psychedelic and pop experimentation. A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado marks a transition in their work, moving slightly away from the more explicit Tropicalista aesthetic and embracing a purer, more experimental rock, whilst still maintaining the surrealist humour and spiritual allegory in their lyrics and concepts.
Recording
The album A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado was recorded in October 1969, at Scatena studio, located in São Paulo. This production marked Dinho Leme's first participation as a band member, although his contribution was initially credited as a session drummer. Bassist Liminha, who would later become a permanent member of the group, also contributed to the album, playing on the tracks "Hey Boy" and "Preciso Urgentemente Encontrar Um Amigo". A particular highlight of the recording is the participation of musician Naná Vasconcelos, who added percussion to the tracks "Ando Meio Desligado" and "Desculpe, Babe". Another notable technical innovation is the inclusion of a talkbox effect on the song "Desculpe, Babe", created by Cláudio César, Sérgio and Arnaldo Baptista's elder brother, to distort Sérgio's voice, showcasing the band's constant experimentalism with new technologies and timbres.
Songs
The songs on A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado reveal Os Mutantes' versatility and creativity. The title track, "Ando Meio Desligado", is a composition that quickly became a classic, having been originally performed at the 1969 International Song Festival and standing out as the 75th most played song in Brazil in 1970. Its captivating melody and the interpretation by Rita Lee and Sérgio Dias perfectly capture the group's psychedelic and pop essence. Other tracks such as "Desculpe, Babe", with its innovative talkbox effect, and "Meu Refrigerador Não Funciona", which combines slow blues rock with the band's characteristic irreverent humour, exemplify the audacity and experimentation present on the record. The album transitions through diverse genres, from psychedelic rock to blues rock and doo-wop, without losing its Mutante identity, which uniquely blends national and international influences. The complexity of the arrangements and the originality of the compositions ensure that "with each listen, A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado reveals new secrets".
Legacy
A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado solidified its status as one of the most important and influential albums in Brazilian music. In October 2007, Rolling Stone Brasil magazine ranked it 22nd on its list of the "100 Maiores Discos da Música Brasileira", a testament to its lasting impact. Retrospective critical reception is also largely positive, with the AllMusic website awarding it four out of five stars and praising the band's ability to "turn genres into their own warped originality". The success of the track "Ando Meio Desligado", which was among the most played in Brazil in its release year, demonstrates the work's popular reach at the time. Furthermore, the album is frequently cited as a seminal work that influenced generations of artists, both in Brazil and internationally, with its audacious blend of psychedelic rock, experimentalism and elements of Brazilian music. Its iconic cover, inspired by Dante's "A Divina Comédia", and its provocative back cover also became part of the cultural imagination, reinforcing the image of a band that always challenged conventions.
Tracks
Credits
Os Mutantes, Rogério Duprat
Arnaldo Saccomani
Ronaldo P. Leme
João Kibelkstis
Lincoln
Cynira Arruda
Podcasts
Antigas Novidades - podcast de heavy metal, rock progressivo, jazz, blues, MPB e rock classico · Antigas Novidades do Rock
No nosso primeiro episodio no estilo Disco Comentado em Tempo Real trazemos um clássico de 1970 - Os Mutantes: A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado! Uma delícia de se ouvir e com comentários pertinentes do nosso convidado Vinicius Baggio, que adora este disco!IMPERDÍVEL!Escuta aqui e confira! O programa tem apresentação do jornalista Aroldo Glomb e na bancada esteve o Eduardo Masses, do Conve
Tropeço · Rafael Domingos Nogueira
Aqui vamos comentar sobre o álbum da banda Os Mutantes - A divina comédia ou ando meio desligado de 1970
Videos
A Divina Comédia Ou Ando Meio Desligado: Da Tropicália Ao Rock And Roll || Album Review
Agulha Quebrada
Os Mutantes - A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado | Contracapa
Sala de Estar
#03 Impressões sobre o disco A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado
Impressões
Rita Lee - Discografia comentada | A divina comédia ou ando meio desligado (1970)
Rita Lee Discografia Comentada
SPM #007 - A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado, Os Mutantes
Swinga Pra Mim
Films
Books
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Discobiografia Mutante - Álbuns que revolucionaram a música brasileira
Chris Fuscaldo · 2021
Os Mutantes were much more than rock'n'roll. The group founded by Arnaldo Baptista, Rita Lee, and Sérgio Dias – which featured Dinho Leme, Liminha, and many other great musicians in its various line-ups – was pure counterculture, both in form and content. Their albums made a difference and influenced Brazilian music.
A Divina Comédia dos Mutantes
A Divina Comédia dos Mutantes
Carlos Calado · 1995
This work by Carlos Calado is an in-depth study of the trajectory of the band Os Mutantes, covering its history, discography, and the cultural impact of its work. The title makes a direct reference to the album 'A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado', indicating a specific and detailed analysis of the band, with a high probability of dedicating significant attention to this iconic album.
Analyses
A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado – The 100 Greatest Albums of Brazilian Music
Bruno Natal · Rolling Stone Brasil
You will never see your refrigerator the same way again.
CRONICA - OS MUTANTES | A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado (1970)
tabernanovostempos.blogspot.com
Because it's not just Gregg Rolie's organ that permeates this album. Between the captivating keyboard and female vocals, A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado stands out as an excellent middle ground between the atmospheres of The Doors and Jefferson Airplane.
Os Mutantes - A Divina Comédia, ou Ando Meio Desligado - Julian Cope ...
headheritage.co.uk
Though I'd still rank the self-titled "Mutantes" as my personal favourite Os Mutantes LP, 'A Divina Comédia, ou' will always remain a fascinating listening experience, as well as being one of those strange and wonderful records that continually surprises you with every subsequent, late-night repeat.
Mosaicos Culturais #154: Os Mutantes e a psicodelia tropical em "A ...
jornal.usp.br
Released in March 1970 by the Polydor label, A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado is the band's third studio album, produced by Arnaldo Saccomani.
