Can-Tago Mago (1971)

Can is a band from West Germany that was formed in 1968. They are often classified as a classic example of "Krautrock," an underground German experimental rock genre, although most bands which are clumped into this genre resent the term. But isn't that what usually happens with terms like that?

Anyway, the album is overall pretty much straight forward jammed out rock and roll. Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground, kind of rock and roll. You know the type. I guess you could even say these guys are a little prog rockish but you can say a lot of things. Most of the songs do feature some sick and funky drum beats as well, which are hard to hate.

"Halleuhwah" is an epic stand out track for the album. It originally took up a whole side of the vinyl edition of the record when it first came out. The song is composed of a series of build ups and then slowing down and returning to a groovy beat followed by another build up and so forth. In the first 5 minutes the drums are fucking ridiculous so look out for that. After the drum tangent, it calms down and then goes right back into another funky ass beat. Then once again is another build around the 7 minute mark this time introducing some gnarley as strings. Somewhere around 8 and a half minutes the vocals come in and fit in real well. blah blah. Pretty much funky drums and an epic 18 minute jam all in one.

"Oh Yeah" is another sick ass track with some backwards vocals at first then about halfway switching at the 3:20ish mark it goes into a mellow yet funky beat with some suiting vocals. Damo Suzuki (frontman of the band from 1970-73) has a pretty sick ass voice and I think it fits well on this track especially. And then once again the band breaks off into another jam session this time with the guitar taking the main roll, but you still can't deny those drums.

The beginning of "Mushroom" sounds a little like the Flaming Lips "Take Me Ta Mars" to me. I wonder if anyone else hears it? But later on there is some crazy percussion and like always those phat drums.

Well, enough talk more rock is what they so have a listen:

Can-Tago Mago (1971)

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buy it here

1. "Paperhouse" – 7:29
2. "Mushroom" – 4:08
3. "Oh Yeah" – 7:22
4. "Halleluhwah" – 18:32
5. "Aumgn" – 17:22
6. "Peking O" – 11:35
7. "Bring Me Coffee Or Tea" – 6:47