Can – Tago Mago (1971)
Genre: Krautrock
Intro:
Can were a German krautrock/progressive rock group formed in 1968.
The Band consists of:
• Damo Suzuki – vocals
• Holger Czukay – bass, engineering, editing
• Michael Karoli – guitar
• Jaki Liebezeit – drums, double bass, piano
• Irmin Schmidt – keyboards, vocals on "Aumgn"
“Tago Mago” was the band’s second studio album and their first album with newly acquired vocalist, Kenji Suzuki.
Review:
Experimental, jazzy, crazy…. AMAZING!
“Paperhouse” is the first track off of the album and the one of the shortest. It sets the scene of the album and introducing us to the contrast and abominations that are to follow. It starts of rather slowly while building up to the peak, relax and then a final bash at the end which leads us into “Mushroom.”
“Mushroom” is the track off of the album that haunts you, the dark, yet powerful lyrics combined with a drum and bass combo which is sure to raise the hairs on your arms a bit. As is to come in the following songs, the contrast of soft, mumbling vocals to screechy-yet likeable outbursts combining with the rhythm in the rhythm of the drum/bass mentioned earlier, creates a song that you just want to put on loop and listen to a couple more times.
“Oh Yeah” is the third track off the album and almost acts as the transition from the more conventional tracks to the crazy, experimental tracks that follow. Nevertheless, this track is not one to be skipped as you would be missing out on a fine showcase of sharp yet soothing vocals and catchy drumming which seem to repeat themselves the whole song, which could ruin the song for some.
“Halleluwah” is the first of the 11+ minute tracks on the album, clocking in at 18:28, now although you think you can’t listen to the same repetitive pattern of drumming, again, and some crazy dude mumbling his way to the grave, this song is a masterpiece in all aspects. To add to this a lovely snippet of piano pops up at just over 5 minutes.
“Aumg” is the second of the marathon tracks and a nice change from the use of the vocals, is the substitution of chanting/wailing (almost sounds like a sunbathing Hippo, longing for something to eat… Never knew that could sound so good) in this track. Crazy drumming, weird noises and the use of dogs barking… This is the first time you sit and think to yourself, WHAT THE HELL AM I LISTENING TO? Bu then it comes to you, this is a work of art, something that was not known to this world, a couple of guys delving into their souls and going totally off-track to create something that people hadn’t done previously. You have to appreciate it, whether you like it or not.
“Peking O” is the third and final of the marathon tracks and arguably the most crazy, messed up, amazing track of the lot. The climax of this song, and personally, the entire album is the nostalgic drumming paired with Suzuki Gibberish ramblings which begins up after about 4 minutes into the track. It is like nothing you have ever heard before and probably never again.
“Bring Me Coffee or Tea” is the one song on the album that could possibly considered near to normal and closes out the album well with a well rounded track which brings us out of the coma of madness we had endured for the previous three tracks and back into the real world. The crazy thing is, by this time you don’t want to come back to this world, you want to stay in this fantasy land with these men who make this music.
Never-mind, you can put the album on loop and experience the whole thing again whenever you choose.
Personally this album was the craziest music I have ever heard before, and people would think by that comment that it is a bad album…. BEST ALBUM I HAVE EVER LISTENED TO! Thank you Germany!
10/10
Can - Mushroom