Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Det starter okay ud men tabte mig helt undervejs.
I hated this. Not quite as much as Kraftwerk though…
Expected to dislike this, but didn’t. Some awful tracks (next to last) and some quite nice (final track. Enjoyed both of the 20 minute tracks as well. A Prog rock group I’ve always been aware of but had never listened to.
I listened enough to be intrigued and I liked it. I think I still need to give it a deeper listen. Maybe the 2-hour anniversary edition. For now, a 3
It's some kind of wild coincidence that I bought this album less than a week ago and now here I am reviewing it. For anyone who finds this album interesting, I'd recommend checking out the series on Can that the No Dogs In Space Podcast did, since I provides a LOT of interesting background to these songs. This band and the things they do make zero sense and yet it fucking works perfectly. The drumming is the absolute key to this band, even though ever member is great in their own right. The songs just keep driving and driving with the drums pulling them forward. The lyrics make no sense are and frequently inaudible and are perfect. The guitars are searing. There's a bass player not getting in anyone's way. This album fucking fucks I wish the cover art was better, but at least I like the fonts that they used 5/5
3.5? Kind of different which is fun, but nothing spectaular
3.5 - What a strange album. I feel like there is some gold here but it's in this strange sound scape. I think it requires a single listen and to really be in it
I love the first half of this album, then it descends into madness in a way that is kinda great at first, but then does become an earsore. 4/5
One of the most interesting albums of all time, but also, I think that it didn’t need to have a 18 minute long song that is practically just a compilation of horror movie sounds and the occasional tribal drum.
A very eclectic album, and not one I enjoyed. The first half wasn’t bad but the vocals were terrible, just overridden by everything else. Took me twenty minutes to even realize they were speaking another language because it was all so muddy. I think it would’ve been better as an instrumental. But the second half was just bad, with a song that sounded straight out of a generic “Spooky Songs to Play at Halloween” album.
These instrumentals are kinda crazy good especially Aumgn.
Paperhouse was a decent track to start with. I enjoyed it. The only problem i had was with the vocal levels. It felt like i could hardly hear the vocals. You whacked the volume up and the music would be too loud. Felt like the mixing was a bit off on the track as a result. The following tracks - mushroom and oh yeah were OK too. Then it kind of went off the boil after halleluwah. Aumgn was atrocious and unnecessary. It was offensive to my ears. A complete waste of time infact. Every single track on the album after that was the same. I would have kept tracks 1-4 and dumped the rest. It should just stop right there. I may just delete tracks 5-7 and pretend they never existed. I see people here saying its ahead of its time etc. But that doesnt mean its good. This kind of stuff could easily be released as a demo or B-sides album. A decent album was ruined in my opinion.
This album is quite the journey. From the more standard rock songs to the chanting, to the hypnotic drums at the end. It is not a casual listen by any means. I enjoyed it. Not enough for it to be an every day album that I can just put on but it has its own dark, ritualistic vibe and aesthetic that I can totally get in the mood for.
Quite like the start of this, then it descended into (enjoyable???) chaos. Peking 0 is hilarious, must've been a hoot to record such nonsense. Kinda jealous
Cologne band Can was at the forefront of an exciting new genre in the very late '60s that moved away from the traditional song structures of rock music in America. It eventually came to be know as Krautrock (a slang on the genre's country of origin), becoming prominent for its experimentation in repetition, ambiance, and hypnotic psychedelic influences. Tago Mago is, arguably, the best representation of Krautrock. You get two experiences with Tago Mago, because it's a double LP, you see. The first LP is the finest krautrock imaginable, and you kinda have to let yourself drift off and enjoy the whole thing in one go. It's probably a 5-star album if we only count side A and B, because it's basically unmatched vibes that only Neu! come close to. Side A and B is a strange, slightly scary, collection of sounds that can barely be described as music. I imagined this is a filter for a lot of people who would have otherwise enjoyed Tago Mago and Can, which is a shame! You have to understand that there was not much incentive to experiment back in the '60s because studio time and equipment was, obviously, expensive. It was art collector Christoph Vohwinkel who allowed Can to live and record in a Cologne castle over three months, where they were encouraged to indulge in the avant-garde. This was limited only by their two-track recorder, so a lot of what you hear on sides C and D are recorded live off the floor. It's weird and unsettling and I think it adds to the appeal of the album which is uncompromising art. You don't get to claim music as an artform without Tago Mago or Can. You have to engage with it on some level like with Duchamp's Fountain, or you fail to appreciate what makes it art at all. Masterful.
Do people actually like this? I don’t. If I could make a request, please no more CAN. So far I’ve heard two of their albums, which is approximately three too many.
"Tago Mago," the seminal album by German experimental rock band Can, is often hailed as a masterpiece in the world of krautrock and avant-garde music. Released in 1971, it is a double LP that showcases the band's innovative approach to music, blending rock, jazz, funk, and electronic influences into a unique soundscape. The album is notable for its experimental production techniques, complex rhythms, and the distinctive vocal style of Damo Suzuki, who joined the band shortly before recording. ### Lyrics The lyrics on "Tago Mago" are sparse, often abstract, and delivered in a variety of languages, including English and Japanese. Damo Suzuki’s vocal style is more about expression and atmosphere than conveying clear messages or narratives. This approach allows the lyrics to blend seamlessly with the music, becoming an integral part of the overall sound rather than standing out as separate elements. Songs like "Mushroom" and "Oh Yeah" feature repetitive and minimalistic lyrics that create a hypnotic effect, enhancing the album's otherworldly vibe. ### Music Musically, "Tago Mago" is a tour de force of innovation and eclecticism. The album opens with "Paperhouse," which starts with a mellow, almost pastoral introduction before launching into a driving rhythm that showcases the band's tight musicianship. The interplay between Jaki Liebezeit's intricate drumming, Holger Czukay's bass lines, and Michael Karoli's guitar work is particularly striking. "Tago Mago" is known for its long, sprawling tracks that often eschew traditional song structures. "Halleluhwah," for example, is an 18-minute opus that revolves around a relentless, funky groove, over which the band layers various improvisations and sound experiments. "Aumgn" and "Peking O" delve even deeper into avant-garde territory, featuring abstract sounds, tape loops, and eerie atmospheres that push the boundaries of rock music. ### Production The production on "Tago Mago" is groundbreaking for its time. Holger Czukay, who also served as the band's sound engineer, utilized innovative techniques such as tape editing and manipulation to create the album's distinctive soundscapes. The use of reverb, delay, and other effects adds a sense of space and depth to the recordings, making the album feel simultaneously expansive and intimate. The album was recorded at Schloss Nörvenich, a castle in Germany, which provided a unique acoustic environment that contributed to its distinctive sound. The raw and sometimes lo-fi production quality gives the album an organic feel, while the experimental techniques used in mixing and editing add a layer of complexity and sophistication. ### Themes "Tago Mago" is often described as a psychedelic journey, both musically and thematically. The album explores themes of consciousness, transformation, and otherworldliness. The title itself, "Tago Mago," is said to be inspired by a mythical island off the coast of Spain, which adds to the album's mystique and sense of adventure. The music's repetitive and trance-like qualities can be seen as a reflection of altered states of consciousness, while the abstract lyrics and vocalizations contribute to the feeling of being transported to a different realm. This theme of exploration and discovery is central to the album's identity and has resonated with listeners over the decades. ### Influence "Tago Mago" has had a profound influence on a wide range of musical genres and artists. Its innovative approach to rhythm, texture, and sound has inspired countless musicians in the fields of electronic music, post-punk, and alternative rock. Bands like Radiohead, Sonic Youth, and The Flaming Lips have cited Can as a major influence, and the album's experimental spirit can be heard in their work. The album's use of improvisation and non-linear song structures has also had a lasting impact on the way music is composed and performed. "Tago Mago" challenged conventional notions of what a rock album could be, paving the way for future generations of artists to push the boundaries of their own creativity. ### Pros 1. **Innovative Sound**: "Tago Mago" is a landmark in the world of experimental music, showcasing Can's ability to blend various genres and create something entirely new. 2. **Musicianship**: The band's tight, cohesive playing is a highlight, particularly Jaki Liebezeit's drumming and Holger Czukay's bass work. 3. **Production**: The album's production techniques were ahead of their time, utilizing tape manipulation and effects to create unique soundscapes. 4. **Atmosphere**: The album successfully creates a psychedelic and otherworldly atmosphere, making it a compelling listening experience from start to finish. 5. **Influence**: Its impact on subsequent generations of musicians is undeniable, making it a cornerstone of modern experimental music. ### Cons 1. **Accessibility**: The album's experimental nature and lengthy, abstract tracks can be challenging for some listeners, making it less accessible than more conventional rock albums. 2. **Consistency**: Some critics argue that the album's second half, particularly tracks like "Aumgn" and "Peking O," can feel disjointed and less cohesive compared to the more structured first half. 3. **Repetitiveness**: The repetitive nature of some tracks, while hypnotic, can also be seen as monotonous by some listeners. 4. **Lyrics**: The abstract and minimalistic lyrics may not appeal to those who prefer more traditional songwriting and clear lyrical themes. ### Conclusion "Tago Mago" by Can is a groundbreaking album that continues to be revered for its innovation, musicianship, and influence. Its fusion of different musical styles, experimental production techniques, and the band's fearless approach to composition make it a timeless classic in the realm of avant-garde music. While its experimental nature may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate bold, boundary-pushing art will find much to admire and enjoy in this seminal work.
7/18/24. Very interesting listen, came in with no expectations and no idea on the band or genre (the best way IMO). Starts off with a psychedelic rock sound that I'm a big fan of, and the middle was too experimental for me with percussion elements and obscure vocals. However, this was a strong album from start to finish.
interesting, funky
Very trippy. I like it in certain states of mind
I get people that say this is too experimental. I also don't think this is can's best album. Really good though
Listened Before? N Man, this is some weird shit. It's creative, but weird and long and I just don't care enough to waste a bunch of time analyzing it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Mushroom (because it's "short")
One of the albums that changed my life back as a teen. When it's good, it's genuinely some of the best music ever recorded but I find Aumgn and Peking O borderline unlistenable so I can't give it the full 5.
Starts very strong, gets strange around Aumgn though.
1.5/5. This was tough to get through. Not only was it long, but the later songs were just bad. That middle song really killed it for me.
it's just the best
Didnt eally like it, too loud, but can imagine under the right circumstances it could be ok
Krautrock aus Deutschland- Experimentelle Langtitel, die Rockimprovisation, Funkrhythmen und Musique-Concrète-Techniken kombiniert. Das Album hat passable Stellen, die mir n Kombination mit genügend „Kraut“ vielleicht ok sind aber auch viele zu schräge Passagen. Nüchtern betrachtet ist Tago Mago eher unterdurchschnittlich.
What a phenomenal record! Whether it's the groovy rock parts of the first four songs or the experimental sounds of 'Aumgn' and 'Peking O,' it's all equally interesting. It's a progressive rock epic that keeps me engaged from start to finish. I understand that some people have issues with the Second Vinyl of this record, especially with 'Aumgn,' but I'd like to take a moment to defend that song. In 'Aumgn,' I hear the layers of sound that I would later hear on the first Laibach albums. It gives off a feeling of transgression. This song, with its incredible soundscapes, moves from tense anxiety at the start to a rhythmic drumming at the end that feels like an anti-authority poem set to music. Absolutely incredible.
Was a bit trepidatious about this one. But yeah, it's OK. A bit simplistic for me but not bad. If any of these tracks came on when I've got it set to random in the car I wouldn't skip it, but it's not 100% my sort of thing. Has to be a bit more there to keep me interested. Worth a strong 3.
Like a child trying to play their first guitar. Basic and repetitive until it has weird bits then back to basic and repetitive.
You've go to love a bit of Krautrock and you can't get more earlier than this. It's a great album, so far ahead of it's time and so influential. There are a lot of bands I love who state them as an inspiration. Long and sprawling songs that hit a groove such as 'Halleluhwah'. 'Mushroom' is a great song, full of brooding menace. 'Oh Yeah' again, repetitive drumming and groove, these ust tick along like a well made Mercedes Benz. Some of this album is seriously experimental, sometimes just plain mental, especially with some of Damo Suzuki's vocal performances. But maybe with the exception of 'Aumgn' - maybe a tad too fucked up, and some of 'Peking O' these two run along like a well worn multicoloured VW Campervan. A mixed bag of German engineering, but still a 4 star effort.
Tago Mago Ich Nichten Lichten - 73 minutes of German avant garde rock! The first half of it, from Paperhouse to Halleluhwah is just fantastic. Skittery, odd, creepy with great rhythms and little hooks and melodies. It’s recognisable, but also slightly opaque, there’s grooves and lyrics, but the overall effect is slightly other worldly. It feels like what jazz thinks it, but is actually what jazz wishes it could be. Paperhouse and Oh Yeah are great, but I love Mushroom and Halleluwah. Mushroom is possibly the most conventional song, even though it’s still a bit odd, but the 18 minutes of Halleluwah is just amazing, a little bit of funk, but spacey at the same time. You could dance to it, but you could also freak out to it. Just read that Primal Scream sampled the drums for Kowalski. Makes sense. The 2nd side is definitely a different listen, although and without wanting to appear obtuse, I do really like it - although obviously it’s not everyones cup of tea and it took me a long time to come round to it. I do like how Aumgn slowly coalesces from chaotic noise into chaotic rhythm by the end of its 17 minutes. Although on the one hand it’s kind of tuneless, there’s something about it I find quite addictive, I really don’t know what that is or why I like it so much. Peking O’s introduction feels like its leading towards something like the songs on the first side, before it turns into a soup of schizo percussion and shouting. I’m less keen on this than Aumgn, although I do still like it. Again I don’t know why. Bring me Coffee or Tea is a suitably subversive end, going back to the style of the first side. I do love this album, maybe Ege Bamyasi or Future Days are a better overall listen but I love how distinctive this is. I always get the feeling the avant garde stuff on side 2 comes from a genuine place of experimentation, rather than pretension or deliberate wackiness, while the stuff on side 1 is what happens when they try and write ‘normal’ songs, their innate slightly off balance and skewed sensibilities means it comes out slightly strangely, but in a brilliant way. The recording and composition of it is interesting, recorded on 2 track in a castle, made by cutting up their jams into ‘songs’. You can hear the joins in lots of places, but that only adds to the charm in my opinion. It’s not the greatest album ever, but the more I listen the more rewarding it is. I find myself enjoying it immensely each time I put it on, maybe because it's so off centre, and at turns creepy, slippery, funky, funny and weird. But I don’t actually know why it appeals to me so much. I love an effortless McCartney melody, or a extremely well recorded and structured Steely Dan song, or a skillfully written and arranged pop song as much as the next man, and this is not that, but I love that some weird Germans and a Japanese guy made this, and that it still endures 50 years later. 5 it is. 🥫🥫🥫🥫🥫 Playlist: Halleluhwah
Weirder than Al, this album was a tough slog. Aumgn seems like the inspiration for Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Goin’ Down (see the 11:30 mark). Experimental, strange.
Oversimplifying a lot, there's a couple categories of very indulgent art, the "look at me. look at me!" kind and the "hey check it out, what do you think?" kind. It's like how multimedia events - you know, you go somewhere to see music, and there's projectors on all the walls, or mannequins in the audience, etc. - are either awesome fun times or the most uncomfortable bullshit. Can is the good kind. Listening to Can makes me think of talking with somebody who just did something incredible, excited to share what they tried & see if you might want to do anything with it. I'm not going to intentionally put on the long experimental tracks in the middle again, but they weren't unpleasant and I think they did pull off the transition back to a jam & the most accessible song at the end. & when Can gets into a jam they grab on to something vital & shake the living daylights out of it. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
This is so demented. Normally would be a bit frustrated/annoyed with the prolonged noise parts, but I found myself a bit drawn in. Listened to it all, came out the other side like “Well that was an album I never would have listened to but am glad I did.” That’s somethin!
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, so another win for the album generator :) Groovy - some very cool guitar - a trippy, funky vibe. Oh Yeah and Halleluhwah stood out for me. Aumgn made me feel lost in space on an abandoned spaceship - like I had woken up after a long journey across many galaxies and found myself in some futuristic spacecraft, full of long, echoing corridors. Alone. Or was I?...👽
Experimental and influential but are they any good? I tried half listening during the day and it was awful. Gave it another go late evening through headphones and it was better. I like Paperhouse and Oh Yeah. Unusual rhythms and interesting guitars. Halleluhwar has a groove but 17 minutes, really? The next two tracks are equally long but more experimental, more sounds and effects than music. Something stronger than my glass of stout is required to get into this!! Some tunes tomorrow please :)
Experimental mumbling
Paperhouse - Good track. Elements of Red Hot Chili Peppers & Foals, can see how this inspired bands Mushroom - Mushroom head mushroom head Oh Yeah - Sounds like it belongs on OK Computer. Good drum beats Halleluwah - Groovy baby Augmn - What the hell You should win a t-shirt if you make it through all 17 minutes of this Peking O - Sounds like year 7 music when you and your mates mess about on the keyboards Bring Me Coffee or Tea - Thank god it’s over
Way better than I would’ve thought
Initially I was enjoying it and then it just got weirder and weirder
Tracks 1-4 were in solid 3/3.5 territory, which is an accomplishment since I usually hate things as long as Halleluhwah on principal alone. Then we got to Aumgn. I successfully powered through, but then there was Peking O. Bring Me Coffee or Tea wasn't bad but I can't decide if I actually liked it because I was still fighting off the prior two tracks. Too avant-garde for me.
Really not the vibe. It was fine in the background for a while but then became a bit unpleasant. Would not recommend.
Good
Didn't get it. No re-listen.
What the hell was going on here. Didn’t hate it.
I can see the appeal and why it was influential. But after the first two songs I couldn't really listen to it anymore.
Not my thing. I tried, I really did but nope.
Let's go in a studio and just bang on stuff. No thanks.
I'm sure this is an important cultural item, but there's nothing here for me.
I love CAN. But with this I realised that I don't always listen to all of their albums all of the way through. I know it's - ahem - Sacrilege to say this, but not everything they do is amazing. The second side of this is a bit self-indulgent and I drifted off. Parts of it were very Sun Ra, which surprised me. But the first side of this rocks. CAN on their day can be the funkiest rock and roll band around, but I did find the end of this a bit hard going. Interesting, maybe, but definitely hard going.
I was really surprised by this. The rhythmic feel that runs throughout left me wanting to dance. The funk sounds great. But there's also a darker side. You can see where Radiohead lifted half their ideas from. Ditto Primal Scream.
Too weird for me
This is fun! Loving the guitars in the first song so far...probably not something i'd come back to but really good overall, reminds me of jam bands
This wasn’t terrible, until it was. That 17 minute track near the end can do one. Just no.
Psychedelic rock.
Yesss this
So this is krautrock. I hear synthesized music and to be honest a psychedelic style that I’m not accustomed to.
Man, I was ready to go with four stars for the first 38 minutes. Then "Augmn" happened. Can I have those twenty minutes back?
I am sure these cats led the way on making weird sounds with rock instruments.
Better than expected, except “Aumgn” and “Peking O” which sucked
good 70s music, feels like LSD
Decently enjoyable until it went off the rails
At what point does a song become a jam session....somewhere prior to the 18th minute mark of Halleluhwah. When is a song considered an experiment of sound...rather than a song....because that's how I'd classify Aumgn. I did enjoy hearing the "Aumgn" lyric though.
This was a cool album. A really experimental wacko weirdo shut album. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t work. It’s good but not the best.
There are parts of this album that are amazing. Unfortunately, most of the album sounds like a sound check or that they kept recording between song takes. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Quite interesting. I thought I'd like it a lot, but it's pretty weird. Familiar with the band, not familiar with the album. I suspect it'll grow on me.
Like this one krautrock is something I don't know much about. Has a Doors ish vibe to it. Some very long tracks which makes it a commitment to listen to in one shot. Stand out tracks: - Mushroom - Helleluhwah - 18 Min epic - Aumgn - 17 mins - Bring me coffee or tea
A little too experimental/improvisational for my taste, but I actually liked it for its originality.
They seriously just took some instruments and made random noise with them and then said a bunch of gibberish and nonsense then recorded it and called it music. Then someone said this album is good enough to be listened to and published it. Even worse, it was put on this list. 1 star and if I could give less I would.
Wish I hadn't read their soaring self appraisal of how amazing this was, it was just uncomfortable ambient
You know when you've been tangoed Cus it's shit,
Jag gillar faktiskt det här. De första fyra låtarna. Det svänger på ett tilltalande sätt. Sen blir det inte bra och långa låtar blir inte bättre av att de är långa. Ger en trea.
Nja. 18-minuters låt som är rätt kass. Ett lunk och jobbiga "ljud". Samma trummor som kör på (å då gillar jag trummor), blir tjatigt. Sen en 17-min "låt". Som är ännu sämre. Låter som nåt som spelas på en konstutställning. Föreställer mig ett tomt rum med en an spotlight riktad mot en piedestal. På piedestalen ligger ett hundkoppel, vara ände ringlar ner och bort mot ett mörkt hörn och där finner man en människa, naken i fosterställning, som är kopplad. Det, tillsammans med "musiken" i Aumgn skulle verkligen få en att tänka till! Skrikandet i Peking O var upplyftande. Skivan vaggar in en i falsk trygghet med de tre första låtarna. Sen ba, "FUCK YOU FOR TRUSTING US!" Ändå lite kul att bli så fullständigt kränkt.
Låt 1-4 är experimentella på ett bra sätt. Låt 5-6 är rätt horribla, särskilt så med tanke på längden. Sista låten är helt okej. Tyvärr drar de usla låtarna ned betyget till en tvåa. Utan dem hade det kunnat bli en stark trea (efter endast en genomlyssning).
I can see how CAN influenced some of my favs like Mogwai and LCD Soundsystem. I willing to take a dive into the other two of trilogy but its half good half off the rails.
Это 5 из 5 просто из чистого уважения. Это музыка, которая сломала стену и совок. Это музыка, из которой родились мои любимые группы. Это музыка, которая спустя пятьдесят с лишним лет звучит очень странно и как будто бы из другой вселенной, как бы клишированно это не звучало. Лучшая песня - Halleluwah.
Would be a 5 if this album ended after 4 tracks
I want what they’re drinking.
wild and crazy and all over the map. 4 stars.
Ya I just don't really care for this sound.
Man I’m sorry but I just don’t have the patience to listen to an 18 minute long song. I mean it’s have to be the greatest sound my ears have ever heard. This was not that sound.
Obviously influential at the time
Odd
Can't
Doesn’t stand up well
This band was waaaaaaaay ahead of its time. This could have been an indie rock album from the last 20 years rather than an album that is actually 53 years old. CAN came back from the future to let you hear what was possible. This magnificent album is one of the major reasons why we have such an interesting music scene in the present. Thank you CAN for pointing the way. The first half is the accessible song formats and the back half is the experimental half. Choose your voyage.
This one has some very good moments for me. A couple songs could have gone without. Will I listen to again: 75%
Had never heard of this album and never hope to again. No idea what I was listening to.
Never heard anything by this artist before. Sounds like Eddie Murphy's Buckwheat's new electronica band. Now with more backward masking! The music hit a couple of grooves but the entire thing just unspools by the end. "When I saw Mushroom Head"
Some good stuff on here, but the more extreme advant-garde experimental stuff got a little to far out for me and brought the over all rating down.
Ahead of their time with eclectic sounds and experimental methods!
Confusing mixture of Sounds apparently attempting to create Psychedelic Rock.
So not my type of music.
2.0 Started off strong, but it definitely lost me in the middle. I find it interesting when an artist or whoever, records an album like this, and is like "this is what I want to share with the world, I think people will really like it".
I own this one, but not one I play often and not for years
When I started listening to this album I was interested but didn’t really enjoy it. By the time I got to the end I didn’t want it to finish and started all ove again. A part from Aumgn and Peking O I really liked it.
Gave my thoughts in Discord, but basically it was too long, too experimental, and just not good.
donnie thornberry on peking O what a treat
I already knew this was trouble when I saw 10 songs and 2 hours. After coming off the high of great concert on Saturday, we get whatever this was suppose to be, on a Monday and destroying any music mojo from the weekend. Thanks a fuggen lot Mr. Magoo. First several minutes, I though this my by alright, but boy was I wrong. This thing got worse with each passing minute. I'm confident this was to test my "don't quit until you hear the entire album" mantra. Tested, passed an will not attempt to give a 2nd listen. Guess that's the best thing I can say about this album. Stick with the cartoons Magoo.
2 I spoiled my dad’s score on this one for myself before I listened and then found myself thinking, “Damn, only a 1? It’s not amazing, but it’s decent psychedelic jam stuff.” Hell, I even found myself in a bit of a groove during Halleluhwah despite its 18-minute runtime. But holy cow, does this album change on a dime into some of the most unlistenable, experimental garbage I’ve heard yet. What, were they afraid of listeners enjoying themselves too much? Who the hell wants to hear piercing strings and screams for 17+ minutes? I don’t know if this is supposed to be some kind of artistic statement or expression or something, but man, does it just about ruin the entire experience. It’s not quite Frankie Teardrop level, but it’s damn close - if your album requires me to scramble for my phone volume so my neighbors don’t think a murder is happening, it’s not a good album. Anyway, I see why my dad gave this a 1. Personally, I still find the first half of this thing listenable enough to keep my final rating out of the 1 territory, but talk about souring a listen. Maybe I just need to have the worst psychedelic trip of my life to understand this, but… I’d rather not.
Fine for half an hour then immediately excruciating despite no demonstrable change in texture. You can absolutely have enough of this, the reward is not worth the labour.
The bluesy psychedelic jams on this album are amazing, as are the experiments at the end of the record. The problem is that I don't want to listen to the experiments more than once, and they take up a huge portion of the runtime. Three stars.
I was aware of their 'hits' before but hadn't listened to this album before. It is a fascinating listen and like nothing I have heard before. You can tell that this has had major influence on many bands and genres following its release. This is an album that I will listen to many times again, memorable.
Avant garde, funky, weird, atmospheric, spooky, slightly frightening, ahead of its time. Pretty cool album. Quite influential as well. They were never going to reach huge commercial success but this is art that should be appreciated.
While I didn't thoroughly enjoy every track here, it was a fascinating listen when you read this came out in 1971. For the time period, this felt very cutting-edge because you feel the beginnings of what could be some Grunge and even experimental alt-rock ideas way early on.
1st half great, 2nd half a bit of a chore
Started off with some interesting musical choices, not really for me but I could see how it would have its merits. But as the songs got longer I just got inpatient, far too indulgent.
It's phenomenal. Only criticism, and this isn't on the part of the record, I don't know if this is a record to constantly revisit, and misses the staying power of something like Pet Sounds.
Just madness and not much thought
Sometimes enjoyable weirdness, but I don’t want to listen to it again.
The most interesting and hard hitting krautrock I've ever heard so far. It's a quite a trip. Too long a trip but quite a trip nonetheless.
Not good at all. Strange.
What's the difference between the Velvet Underground and the Grateful Dead? Taste and Smell. Reductive, I know. So what happens if take the percussive harsh of the VU, add some Bay Area psychedelia and invite the Bitches Brew rhythm section. The short answer is a weird plasma lager. Served in a Can, naturally. The best head music should challenge perceived reality. Good time vibes make for a nice time at a summertime lake at dusk, but the best should always be a "what the fuck?!?" proposition, assaulting the quotidian. It should scare in uncanny beauty/ugly. It is a trip, after all. This scary shit. There is so much disorientating jamming here, none of it wanky, all of it wiggy. Clatter clatter electric jazz rama lama, Stockhausen as Miles heard it, perhaps. "Paperhouse" and "Mushroom" head lay a whole world out, caustic, unhinged whisper to scream Damo in full banshee savant over whoozy drones with soaring guitar lines. • ; "Oh Yeah" is a mutant motorik silver machine, relentless, and backwards vocals, maybe like the engine room of a wormholed ship. "Halluwah" is the centerpiece, a nearly twenty minutes funk workout that suggests an avant-German blaxploitation, part VU, part Gong and part Funkadelic "Wars of Armageddon". Dance the Revelation. Plus, Damo sounds like he's saying "Searching for my Lochnar", which is pretty great. The renewal, as it were is the transcendent prayer after, "Augmn", pure space deities chorus, asking, then answering "What if Syd Barrett made Atom Heart?". "Peking O" is pure psychedelibabble, a poem set to tape loops, dramatically read and totally riveting. The denouement, "Bring Me Coffee or Tea" is a nice, woozy bit a disquietude, perhaps the most conventionally "psychedelic" song of the record. The Deadheads would like it; it's a bit like something from "Anthem of the Sun". Deadheads love the goodtime vibes. Velvetheads like confrontational vibes. Me, I like mostly the latter and some of the former. But being a total creep, I enjoy feeling unsettled. Just. Like.This.
Not the worst experimental album I've heard. 2.9.
Hmmm… interesting moments here and there, but in general to weird for my taste.
Did someone say there were melodies on this album? Must have blinked and missed them. I like my music to sooth, entertain and grab my attention (amongst a lot of other things) This is just a mishmash of random noise and impossible to listen too. 1/5 8/5/24
Never stops being interesting and experimental, first half goes hard especially. Second half gets even more off the wall and all over the place still good tho
I do like a bit of early 70s jazz fusion nonsense, George Duke, Santana, Zappa, etc. Not like this. This is just horrible on the ears and goes nowhere, I'm all for free experimentation but let's have some kind of a result lads.
Unlistenable in places, pretty good at others
My second CAN album I've ever listened from this list makes me love Krautrock and want more. Now I will admit, CAN's other album 'Future Days' is more up my alley thank Tago Mago, but this one is still great. The layers of audible sounds that blend in and out in a pre-digital era had me from the beginning. 4.5/5
It can be hypnotic but always adds s little bit too much of experimental and „hard-to-listen“-bits
It's Tago Mago, get real. This is basically The Shining of music - I will not elaborate, it just makes sense. It's either "Halleluhwah" or King Crimson's "Starless" for the absolute, undoubted best song of all time. That shit doesn't even feel like it was made by humans. It's like it was extracted from an ancient ore on a Jovian moon. Holger Czukay, Damo Suzuki and the boys were on some extraterrestrial kush when they wrote that. And to address the elephAumgn in the room, those two songs are definitely not as good as the rest of the album, but I think disregarding them as filler and just "weird for the sake of being weird" isn't very fair. "Aumgn" is a creepy soundscape that sounds like an auditory bad trip. "Peking O"'s first half is really funny and the second one goes into an insane groove. The two together might be too much though, and I think just having Aumgn without Peking O would have sufficed. Although the moment it finally loops back into normal music in "Bring Me Coffee and Tea" after half an hour of fuckery is legendary. Five outta five.
It’s very weird, and very good. I’m struggling on how to rank it because the last couple songs get, like, avant garde noise rock weird, which is annoying, but the rest of the album is very nice. In fact, there are a couple places where you could almost convince me that it’s an early Radiohead B side. I think the last two songs are too weird to give it 5 stars, but I think 4 is about right.
Started off strong but then fe off.
I heard that this was an inspiration for Radiohead and I can definitely see it. Very experimental and influential album. It is crazy this came out in 1971. Aumgn reminds be of a mix between Swans and something off of Mr. Bungle's Disco Volante. I also really like this album cover, it has a nice use of color and texture. One of the most interesting and coolest albums I've discovered yet. I need to check out their other stuff. 4.5
What a journey. It's no E.B., but it was a great soundtrack to my day of walking and cleaning and driving. I love u CAN even if your absurdity sometimes makes me laugh
Vitamin C has one of my favorite drum beats ever. So smooth and hypnotic. Perfect for Inherent Vice if you remember hearing it in that. Man, this band was like no other, honestly blew me away when I first listened to this. And Ege Bamyasi. And Future Days. And Monster Movie. I mean Velvet Underground, Can, Neu, and Faust inspired so much music it’s insane. I guess TVU is the oddball but I guess I just mentioned them because of listening to them recently for this site. The other three are basically the pillars of Krautrock. Personally I think Can is the best, but Faust is right up there. Ah, ze Germans. Ist wunderbar.
What a cool album. Admittedly the first four songs and the last song are the most accessible. Aumgn and Peking O are pure experimentation. Oh it was recorded at a medieval castle where the band was asked to stay rent free for a year because some guy wanted to turn it into an art center? Tagomago is an island where related to the Aleister Crowley lore and where the drummer Jaki Liebezeit was living depressed playing drums for Chet Baker wanting to learn to die and taking Palfium a drug three times stronger than morphine and wanting to jump off the rock into the sea. I listened to Aumgn while walking my dogs on a nice spring day. Don't make the same mistake. That is not dog walking music. Again, this is an amazing album with some standout tracks. The more experimental tracks are as experimental as experimental gets. They're cool to listen to once; maybe twice if you have a Halloween party. But the rest of the album is a smooth jazzy cool drum sounding pile of greatness, hence the high rating.
Can? More like Can’t.
Ladies and Gentleman, in this corner, we have an experimental 70s album. In the other corner, we have your ears. Who will win this battle royale?
This started out cool enough but devolved into exactly what I expected partway through Halleluwah. The second half of it is almost unlistenable
Sure, they’re fucking around, but they’re not just fucking around. It’s like Ummagumma, but by post-mothers Zappa. This is good, and at the very least, good for you. If you feel that listening to this is eating your vegetables, then I’ll just have you know that while you’re living under my roof, you have to finish the album before you put down your headphones and go listen to Dookie, the doors, Taylor Swift, John fucking Williams, Vivaldi, or whatever it is that kids listen to nowdays.
If I ever need drumrolls I know where to go. Halleuwah was nice upbeat fun track and the whole thing was a surprise. Feels more modern than 1971 and somehow not modern at all. If made a movie set in an unclear time frame I'd use this music. Glad to be exposed to Krautrock.
Some fun/interesting tracks as well as some that are just chaos and noise.
Got weird, and not in a good way.
This was pretty wild and unexpected. The songs sounded like they were reversed giving this an other-worldly sound.
Interesting
3.5 the longer songs were surprisingly more enjoyable to listen to then the shorter ones
Fyrri hlutinn mjög sterkur. Sá síðari síðri. Fær aðra yfirferð
Never heard of this band before. I really like it so far. Just on the opening track. “Mushroom” has a great groove. I had no idea music like this existed this early. This is similar to the industrial music of the 90s. The groove on the end of “Peking o” is a great groove. This album does not even feel dated. Ok, some of the guitar sounds are dated. But it feels very relevant today.
This is interresting, weird and annoying. Mostly all three at the same time. The longer tracks could have done with some editing. As it is more interresting than annoying 4 stars.
This is about the trippiest thing I ever heard on headphones. There’s parts of this I’d gladly kick back to. Not the screamy parts though.
Side 1: ho-wee, contains the energy of a psychedelic steam engine Side 2: (“Halleluwah”) notch down in energy, but as it’s a longer composition, Can’s gotta pace themselves. Love that sinister build of synths towards the end. Side 3: (“Aumgn”) a real fockin’ racket. up to this point the more avant-garde elements have been contained in smaller sections like the backmasking in “Oh Yeah”, whereas here it’s the whole 18 mins. Should have taken the end of “Halleluwah” as a warning Side 4: ok, it doesn’t fully return to the structure of the first half, but it’s not totally frightening like side 3 is Tago Mago… If it was just the first half it’d be much easier to rate it 5 stars, but the atonality of the second doesn’t sour the whole experience for me, either. My first impression was that the drop-off in quality from Side 2 to Side 3 was stark, but knowing that the two discs are apples and oranges helps me forgive Can for the confusion I had listening to “Augmn” the 1st time.
1.4/rounding down Only giving the .4 because the first couple songs had potential. I got more weary of listening as this album dragged on. I was so very happy YouTube didn't have access to one of the songs.
Tago Mago is mostly an infuriating mess of noise. Just because you “Can” doesn’t mean you should.
I liked this up until the 17 minute track of groaning.. maybe it was cool at the time but man that was a pain to listen to.
Well, that was some weird shit.
While CAN’s sophomore album is long, the instrumental and stylistic variation throughout the 7 song tracklist is awe-inspiring.
Album 375 of 1001 Can - Tago Mago Rating : 3 / 5 My opinion on this one changed several times as I listened. Described by one reviewer as "a combination of rock, funk, psychedelic freak out, avant-garde jazz improv, elevator muzak, proto techno, stoned mantra, and trippy tape loop experimentation". If I had this on vinyl, the first side would be worn out and the 2nd would remain untouched, other than the initial play. Side 1 = B+ Side 2 = D+
Because zero isn’t an option
Yet anothet struggle out of 1001
Usually love more experimental stuff but I don't think I was in the right mood for this. Will need another listen.
Gran banda alemana, que escuché bien el año pasado. Sólo la conocía de nombre, como un gran número de bandas de acá. Éste disco en particular tiene sonidos hipnóticos, principalmente por el baterista y por la voz de Suzuki, que recuerdan directamente a Radiohead y a Thom Yorke (increíble siempre cómo hay artistas que se adelantan años a su época). Trabajo experimental e interesante
From excellent to bad noise!
Well ... THAT was different! And in a good way! It kinda reminded me of Pink Floyd's Ummagumma - kinda. Nice background music while working away on Photoshop. I'll be back for more of this!
Nice muziek, mis wat vocals. Toch geen 5'je
Wow! Where has this been all my life, amazing psychedelic madness like an acid trip. Love the drum patterns on some of the instrumentals. A couple tracks were a bit too spacey and ambient, kinda just filler for this huge double album.
A classic. Gets more and more bizarre with every song. Aumgn and Peking O are wonderful.
Me ha parecido muy bueno, no lo conocía y me ha sorprendido, me lo he puesto mientras paseaba y se me ha hecho muy ameno, rock con toques de psicodelia, funk ey experimental que han sido muy dei agrado.
ugh, hippies
started off good then descended into insanity
Day after Holger Czukay solo album this treat: only knew Can by name, so often read interviews saying: this is what started the German music like Kraftwerk. But it is also like the Residents (e.g. their song Here I Come Constantinople) , a band I adore, Peking O really sounds like Residents. And other freaky albums I love, And that in 1971! Again, these guys are geniuses. Thank you 1001 records, made my day.
Never again
German Pink Floyd. Pink Freud
Première partie: très cool, magnifique rock expérimental Deuxième partie: 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮😭😭🤢🤮🤮
Nope :'l
A big nope on this one.
This is groovy and a little cool. Never heard before.
I only know one song (Vitamin C). Really surprised by how good this album is!
NO
Wow, not for me. An odd combination of all the things wrong with 60s and 70s rock / prog rock
I've never really listened to JAM BAND music before. Don't even truly know what that means but when I listen to THIS album, this feels like a jam session. Some dudes hanging out and just jamming away with some melodies they really like. Each new rendition builds on the previous stretch and each rendition is different. I never started listening to this band until about 15 years ago and I've LOVED every single album I've heard. Krautrock is a natural extension of prog tock, in my opinion and I love any that I've heard. 4 stars!!
Feels like they were taking all the drugs. A few songs start off well, but go off the rails as they drag on.
Had high expectations for this. Can often get cited as huge influence from James Murphy / LCD soundsystem, so I was looking forward to this. I was expecting sort of proto electro/kraut, and it was sort of that in places. Definitely got that whole pysch thing going on. There’s a lot of fluff though, the bits I liked where great, but there was definitely a bit of filler. I preferred the Can songs that came on after from other records, so I’ll definitely be back to Can and probably back to this record, but Im not sure when
The first half was a bit dull and repetitive but was okay in the background. Second half was abysmal, all semblance of some sort of songwriting approach was abandoned and it descend into random noises. Not in an interesting way though, almost impressive how pedestrian they made it all sound. Can't think of a single redeeming feature.
The second half of the album is the definition of a challenging listen. The first half, would give a 3. Nothing spectacular but I did enjoy parts of Oh Yeah, and I wouldn't say it was dull. The second half was anti-music, a wall of crashing, indeterminate noise, and not one I'd like to hear again ever. Strange stuff this.
Parts of this I quite enjoyed, but then large parts really quite annoyed me. I don't get the long songs with weird noises and sounds at all. A shame because there were bits that were good, but it wound me up! 2.5
yassssss
Kraut kan vara okej i lagom stora doser. Här blir det lite för mycket av det goda.
wtf... Started with me interested, some nice grooves, but hell, does it loose me towards the end... If you want an Album Like a long, drugged jam Session, this is for you, but if you're looking for songs, go somewhere else... Dropped by 2 ratings towards the end for me...
I only knew Vitamin C from Can before, but always heard how influential they were. So I kind of expected this to be overrated. But it really isn't! I was blown away by how innovative and interesting this was, for the time. There wasn't much else this wildly experimental in 1971. I didn't find the longer songs to drag at all surprisingly, in fact the album didn't feel as long as it is. I listened to this on decent headphones (Cans, if you will), which really helped me appreciate the weird layering of effects and strange sound effects. I think a lot of the modern music I listen to today has strong roots in this album.
Interesting songs, but not for a playlist. Some good, mostly shit
You can hear the influence, but my god does it become unlistenable by track 5.
What was that. Listened to it but can not tell you what I heard except noise.
Ahead of its time by miles
Interesting, cinematic and atmospheric - maybe a couple of overlong tracks could’ve been done without but then again they might grow on one I guess. I know the cult like status Can have but I’m afraid I’m new to them on an album scale so cannot judge them on that level
I was vibing until I fell off the proverbial vibe cliff. I can appreciate that they REALLY went for it, but just cant bring myself to enjoy it. Album cover is very fitting, 5 star.
This is terrible. I’m down for experimentation, but it was several hours of straight experimentation with no reprieve. I don’t see why it has such critical acclaim. Different doesn’t equal good.
Track 4 is 18 minutes and 31 seconds. That is more than 4 minutes LONGER than Rapper's Delight. But also, it is awesome. Because Track 4 exhausted the band, Track 5 is only 17 minutes and 31 seconds.
A polarizing double LP, and one suspects that is intentional. It is bookended by excellent funk tracks, but the entire center of the project is taken up by feverish and at times incoherent instrumentation. I would call it more prog rock than krautrock on this particular project. As another reviewer put it, the long tracks sound like the inner turmoil of a trip gone bad; perhaps the "Mushroom" Damo sings of is one that has twisted the psyche of the day tripper into something resembling a horror soundtrack. Food for thought.
Experimental
Not my fave Can album but great none the less. Has some more 'challenging' tracks but nothing beats that Can drum groove.
Discovering "Tago Mago" by Can, through the lens of jazz gives me a new appreciation of this avant-garde masterpiece. While not a jazz album in the traditional sense, the insights gained from exploring jazz's history and theory have provided a unique perspective on Can's innovative work, elevating my listening experience to new heights. The rhythmic complexity and improvisational elements of "Tago Mago" are where the jazz influence shines through most prominently. Jazz, at its core, is about the balance between structure and spontaneity, a concept that Can embraces wholeheartedly throughout the album. The drumming of Jaki Liebezeit, with its intricate patterns and hypnotic grooves, echoes the pioneering work of jazz percussionists, offering a rhythmic foundation that's as exploratory as it is grounded. This has allowed me to appreciate the album's rhythmic innovations not as mere background beats but as a complex, engaging language of its own. Improvisation is another area where the jazz perspective enriches the "Tago Mago" experience. Jazz is renowned for its improvisational brilliance, with musicians weaving in and out of themes, exploring and expanding musical ideas in real-time. Can's approach to improvisation, particularly evident in tracks like "Halleluhwah," mirrors this philosophy. The band's ability to navigate extended jams with cohesion and purpose, all while maintaining an element of unpredictability, has revealed a new layer of artistry and intention behind their music. Moreover, the album's embrace of dissonance and atonality resonates with the adventurous spirit of free jazz. Pieces like "Aumgn" challenge conventional musical boundaries, employing noise and unconventional sounds in a way that recalls the bold experiments of avant-garde jazz musicians. This track, initially daunting, has become a fascinating exploration of texture and timbre, showcasing Can's willingness to push the envelope in pursuit of new sonic landscapes. Finally, the concept of collective improvisation, a hallmark of many jazz ensembles, is evident in Can's collaborative approach to music-making. The synergy between band members, where each contribution is both distinct and part of a greater whole, underscores the album's cohesive yet exploratory nature. This has deepened my appreciation for "Tago Mago" as a work of collective genius, where the sum is indeed greater than its parts. In conclusion, viewing "Tago Mago" through the prism of jazz has not only enhanced my understanding of its complexities but also my overall enjoyment of the album. The rhythmic innovation, improvisational prowess, and bold exploration of sound that define jazz have offered a fresh perspective on Can's work, revealing the depth and richness of their musical landscape. This album, while firmly rooted in the realms of krautrock and avant-garde, resonates with the spirit of jazz, making it a profoundly rewarding listen.
Dark and mysterious
Why do "artsy" bands so often feel the need to make unpleasant music? And why does this list contain so many albums like this? Yes, I absolutely see the point of pushing the boundaries of established musical styles or even the definition of music. But there are also albums that did that and actually sound good while doing so. This album does have some parts that are interesting and pleasant and warrant around 3 stars. For example Paperhouse was fine. But then there's unlistenable noise such as Peking.
What a huge, weird album! Enjoyed large parts of it, and then there were huge stretches where it felt a little off the rails. Overall I can see (hear?) why this record might have been so influential, Can covers every imaginable angle of rock on this thing. Feels like I've only just begun my Can era.
did not care for that at all
It's long, it's weird, it's atmospheric. This album is not so much "listening music" as it is "music that plays in the background while you listen to your thoughts." Favorite tracks: "Paperhouse" & "Oh Yeah"
Another hard one to rate. There were certainly times that were too experimental for me and I hated it, but at the same time could see myself getting into it.. guess I should have gotten high before listening. Middle of the road but rating down as I dont see listening again
Some of the more traditional rock tracks were great, the experimental tracks were nearly unlistenable
Paperhouse // Mushroom //
Eh...
Difficult to decipher, but I have rounded up some clues. I will need to listen several more times before even beginning to deduce who the killer is, but here's what I have so far: 1 - The term "Mushroom" has multiple meanings. Especially important to recognize that Damo Suzuki is a Japanese native person singing English words in front of a West German band. "When I saw a mushroom head I was born and I was dead" could refer to The Bomb OR a psychedelic experience. That the succeeding song pulls out of this one and literally explodes on the first note could also imply something more base level. Mushroomhead. hmm... 2 - Paperhouse lulls the listener into thinking this might be a rock album. It is not. That is a mental trick designed to pull you out of your usual reality in a nicer way than just dropping Aumgn on you. 3 - The rhythm section of Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebiz (later sampled by Q-Tip on ManWomanBoogie, I still can't get over that fact) both had parents who were essentially dispatched by the Nazis. This generation of German people is rarely talked about in these parts. Why do you think they're making so much noise? In some ways it appears this music might be a reflection of their inner lives, or at least in my imagining. Chaotic. Harsh. Frightening. UNRELENTING. WWII must have absolutely sucked. 4 - Unlike any other CAN, or any other Krautrock for that matter! 5 - WHY did they get a new singer? From wikipedia: "Mooney quit the band and returned to America soon after the recording of Monster Movie, having been told by a psychiatrist that getting away from the chaotic music of Can would be better for his mental health." IF THAT WERE TRUE, are we not encouraged to get away from the chaotic music of CAN? Why only Mooney? Just asking questions, not saying that CAN is an aborted CIA MKUltra spinoff project to weaponize rock music against the hippies. I am 100% NOT saying that. Do your own research. 6 - Damo Suzuki (friend of the great Mark E. Smith, RIP) did this month, just as my findings have come out and I now have no way to corroborate them. This is very suspicious. 7 - If you play "Aumgn" backwards, it says "Bring me a towel. I killed Luap" over and over. IN CONCLUSION: some say that this avant-garde masterpiece is not an experiment in merging rock aesthetics with musique concrete, or a stab at musical dadaism and surrealism, or spontaneous outbursts of sound simply for their own sake to further explore the ideologies of post-modernists like Stockhausen. No, they claim it is something more sinister, that perhaps CAN were mere puppets of the military-industrial establishment, bent on undermining the emerging free-thought and youth movements (among so many other postwar philosophies that were starting to dawn) by turning music against itself, in an effort to lead it towards it's own destruction. I don't say this, but some do.
Meh. Not a fan
What the hell is this?
3/5
Psychedelic and out there. Will revisit.
This one is always going to alienate people. Slightly mad and one side that is just "sounds" I love the sometimes shambling nature of this band. Halleluwah is magnificent (especially the drumming) Strong
Early jam psych
Pretty hard time sticking with it. Precursor to Doom Metal, which is a vibe but not active listening
I won’t say it’s complete rubbish; I’m sure somebody somewhere could find some redeeming aspect or quality, or sort out what makes this particular release significant enough to merit inclusion on this list…but that’s not me…no hooks, no melodies, nothing about the arrangements…stack this against Neu! and it is definitely worse than second best
Somehow the algorithm gave me Holger Czukay yesterday followed immediately by Can today. I've never so much as heard of this genre before. I tend to love weird shit, but this even pushes my boundaries. I can hear the roots of so much music that I love here, and it's kind of like discovering that your parents had full and complex lives before you were ever born. I will say this album pairs poorly with a flourescently lit gym in 2024.
So I found myself really liking this album but about 2/3 of the way I was like "How long is this thing?" I'll come back to it for sure but will need to pull out the tracks I really like or enjoy in smaller doses. 3.5 which I'll round up to 4.
This album is bonkers, but I kind of enjoyed it. Track 4, 'Halleluhwah' and Track 7 'Bring Me Coffee or Tea' was 4 or 5 star worthy--a little psychedelic, certainly abstract, and good progressive development. The rest of the album fluctuates between 1-2.75 territory for me. Track 6, 'Peking O' sounds like perhaps what Throbbing Gristle was trying to emulate later in "D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle" except that Tago Mago actually loosely meet some of the characteristics of what defines the word "music."
This does not sound at all like an album from 1971, so props to them for being ahead of their time. That said, this is largely not my cup of tea. I kinda liked some stuff at the beginning of the album, but then the back half turned into "let's make weird noises (for a long-ass time) and call it art." 2.5 for the first half of the album, but a 1 overall. Not sure how one could enjoy this album in its entirety while sober.
Interesting, but I am unlikely to return.
Wait, this is some high music. I don't hate it, but definitely hits the background music feel for me. Some really cool experimental moments.
a product of its time. not my fav but still enjoyed listening 4/10
I didn't mind the first song but wtf was Peking O. - 3/10
Listened to this more times than I would’ve liked to, because I always end up tuning it out. Not bad for work, but doesn’t sound great. Low 2.
Pretentious and unbearable 2/10
Aumgn was awful. The rest was alright but not great, and it got worse throughout the album. People really will put any word in front of “rock” and call it a genre. 3.5/10
3/10 - It was not great to start and was significantly worse to end. Pappa's gotta eat is all I got to say.
3/10 would be lower but Peking O is a masterpiece
Pretty tolerable up until that 17 minute noise track; that shit sucked. I was gonna give this a pretty high score before that, but it was pretty unlistenable afterwards. Peking O sounded like an auctioneer on coke who they pitched up a fuck ton in the studio, and while it did make for a pretty entertaining listening experience, wasn't a very good song. 3/10
No.
Interesting to listen to. Some very cool parts. Standout songs: halleluhwah peking o
Ég var bæði feginn og hryggur yfir því hvað platan var löng. Þótt þetta byrjaði vel þá varð platan fljótt ömurleg og svo voru lögin og platan löng þannig að ég þurfti að þola ömurlegheitin lengi. Sem betur fer var hún svo löng að ég þurfti að taka hádegismat í millitíðinni og þá fengu eyrun hvíld.
Vaya vaya, este es el tipo de discos que espero encontrar acá: una locura salida de Alemania que me hace pensar que la música sí puede ser una droga.
Te wacky, t begon echt wel nice, maar ik kan niet voorbij de gekke shit komen na de helft. 1
Some great jams and rifts. Got dragged out at the end
This is a fascinating album. The first few tracks have some influence from classic rock and definitely psychedelic rock but they’re also very inventive and forward-thinking, pointing towards alt-rock. And the riffing solos tip the music into jazz-rock fusion. “Mushroom” rocks in a way that sounds like grunge to me. And the singer wails like Mick Jagger! “Halleluhwah” has some killer soloing on top of a driving rhythm section. Mesmerizing song. I’m less keen on the other 17-minute track, “Aumgn,” which is experimental and ambient and features vocals tones that sound like Gregorian chants. Maybe if I was at a live show and the edible just hit. But I felt insane listening to this on my headphones at the supermarket. 😂 Wow this album gets pretty wild and weird in the second half. “Peking O” is bonkers. I think the first four tracks on their own would be close to masterpiece territory and the last three tracks are interesting but not as worthy of repeat listens. This was quite the ride though and I’m hoping for more Can on the list in the future.
I'm glad the first track picked up because I was starting to zone out a few minutes in and getting a little bored. Cool second half / ending of the song though. Very cool transition from track 1 to 2. There's some interesting stuff going on here. I can tell this is an influential band to some more modern bands- like Spoon (I'm learning they named themselves after one of Can's songs of the same title), Radiohead, and some others that are hard for me to think of in the moment. It's an enjoyable record that I was hesitant about at first. Only took a minute or two for me to get it though and change my tune. 3/5!
Curious little album. 1/5
Best Song: Paperhouse. In particular, the solo at the end was great. Worst Song: Peking O. This is the prime answer to the question: "Can you go too prog?" Overall: What is it about these 60s and 70s musicians who clearly show aptitude with their instruments and then produce these bloated, meandering albums in which they seem to do everything in their power to NOT play said instruments? Like sadly too much prog, this is more often annoying than it is interesting.
1971, Krautrock 5/5: Mushroom, Halleluhwah 4/5: Paperhouse, Oh Yeah, Aumgn, Peking O, Interesting. Mushroom is frigging great. 4/5
Unusual album reminding me of at the Drive in if they were from the 70s
Super weird experimental rock. I probably would have loved it if I was a music-appreciating age in 1971. Today it's just okay.
Weird
First half of the album is pretty good: funky psychedelic rock. Back half of the album falls off hard into deeply experimental noise. Peking O is particularly annoying. Not for me.
Experimental, noisy art-rock. Halleluhwah's relentless rhythm is engaging as it is soothing, but the other tracks range from forgettable to annoying. 2/5
Awful
Yes this is great album
An indisputable masterpiece on multiple levels – not least in terms of influence. But often a pleasure, too. (Well, maybe not "Aumgn.") One gets that non-fans of "shamanic avant-funk" will be left a bit cold, but that's their problem, and there's no accounting for taste. The drumming on "Oh Yeah" is just fantastic – sounding like 2 or 3 are at it. And, if the legend is to be believed, what production to turn this into a such a sprawling yet integrated work.
Had potentie maar te trippy
Did not care for at all. Hollow and simple.
I was unfamiliar with the term Krautrock, which is the genre for this album. I'm aware of Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk (among others), but don't really know their music. After this album, I don't think I'll seek out more. Parts of it reminded me of early Pink Floyd, but not enough to make it really interesting for me.
Legendary record, the groove on Halleluwah is neverending!
For someone like me that barely hears lyrics (I do hear vocals) unless I really concentrate, I feel like the foreign language does not harm my ability to appreciate the music. OK... I tried to give it a chance. It started out OK but quickly went to a place that I could not follow. Sorry Can. You're just not for me. Track by track: 1 - I like it. Interesting build up. I don't know if I could listen to an entire album like this. 2 - OK... we've stayed on the same vibe. Vocals are so subdued until they are not. They almost remind me of Trent Reznor a bit how he will use vastly different volumes and tones in vocals. 3 - For some reason this has more of a Lynyrd Skynyrd vibe than the previous two tracks which felt a bit more progressive and timeless. 4 - Couldn't help but notice the run time. Well, I used to listen to a lot of Jam Bands so this could be right up my alley. I'll check back in at the half-way point. A little past the halfway point... I am just kinda hanging out jamming along. I don't hate it and I don't love it. A few minutes left of the song and its getting intense and making me a bit anxious. This song is AMBITIOUS but I didn't ever feel the need to get out except that one point possibly. 5 - 1/3rd of the way in and I don't like this at all. It is way too experimental for me. I'll brave it out but my goodness they are asking a lot of us. Oh... I just got to the drum circle section of this song. Funny! 6 - Dude. What the hell. This feels like a troll. 7 - OK this is fine (especially after that last track).
Ooooh boy, I love weird indie rock stuff and THIS is weird indie rock stuff. Love it.
Songwriting tends to be the most interesting thing to me in music so extended jams/soundscapes/jazz sessions tend to be a little tricky for me. It's not that I don't think I could learn to love or appreciate most of this album with more listens but two wasnt quite enough. I preferred the first 2 sides to the last and it is my first exposure to KRAUTROCK!
Very experimental and psychedelic. Nothing to just listen to normally (and sober)
This sounds like what would have happened if the Doors spent too much time with Yoko Ono. There were moments that were enjoyable to listen to, but not really a fan of the rest.
I like a the first few songs and I don't mind longer eperimental songs in general, but a lot of this album devolves to just noise. Not something I really care to listen to.
Really cool!
Ok the first song totally fucks, psychedelic and awesome. crazy things are happening towards the end of this album -- im understanding the 17 mins of weird sounds complaints -- very experimental! AHHH its getting spooky scary, this sounds like the music we'd play in the car when we picked up freshman for hazing lol. ok the end of the album is ouchie and crazy but the beginning was really cool!!! yo this guy is going fucking crazy im actually laughing
Couldn't get into it
“I was there. At the first CAN show, in Cologne.” 3 stars. Maybe 2 if it wasn’t due to LCD Soundsystem
It's a trip!
GEschichtlich interessant. Lange kann ich das nicht hören.
This album comes from deep within the soul of music.
Trupoy
Fun album. I always like Can, but the high pitched guitar can get annoying.
This was a rough ride - as if they had turned going to the dentist into musical form. Some parts of it though were great. They have thrown a whole lot of paint on this canvas, some looks great and some is painfully bad. Kudos for the innovation, but I'm not playing this at my next dinner party.
# 140 : Really? Over 1 hour of bashing on a toy drum! Totally Bad
Don’t you feel like the Germans are working out their national trauma in their music sometimes? Second German experimental album where we get screaming assaults in German over 250bpm machine-gunfire-speed drums (on the B-side in “Peking O”). Mercifully, it’s one track, and relegated to the mostly unlistenable second half. Man, the early 70’s really were a fertile time for music, huh? So many “firsts.” I’m hearing strong shades of ideas that later Radiohead would perfect around Kid A. Did I say that for the last krautrock album we had? Mixed with this super bluesy, driven but meandering series of jams. Some of these grooves would be at home on a Chemical Brothers record! I almost got out my hacker keyboard. And this is 70s! I think it’s great, but… that was a pretty miserable second half. Almost unbearable. If you forget about tracks 5 and 6, it’s stellar, but I’m sadly just a tad turned off enough by that back half that it’s hard to recommend. A tortured 2/5 – was close to a 3, really close! But Peking O pulled me off the edge.
Seminal Krautrock, but it's not the motorik of Neu!, or Harmonia, but more like the free-form jams of fellow German outfit Amon Duul II. Good stuff if a bit too experimental for casual listening.
First half (tracks 1-4) is good experimental rock jamming in line with the late 60s and early 70s era - noteworthy are Oh Yeah and Halleluwah; then It's all poor unfocused prog psychedelic noodling. Very much a double album where the second disk can be left untouched in it's sleeve. Only redeeming thing I can add is that I heard Matt Johnson’s the The “Giant” drums in the last three minutes of “Aumgn”. Happy Mondays were clearly influenced by Halleluwah!
Krautrock. Rallante. Un 2.
Muy raro. Pensaba que me iba a gustar, pero no ... Experimental, sonidos raros.
Levels were weird. Couldn’t hear the singer?
Muy raro. Pensaba que me iba a gustar, pero no ... Experimental, sonidos raros.
Damn this is one of the hardest ones to rate so far. I'm into progressive, cosmic and ambient styles - so Can are pioneers of lots of stuff I enjoy. I've listened to this record a number of times over the years. It goes through the looking glass of rock music, and the other side is freaky. The best moments are mind-bending and funky. But I've never enjoyed to jibbering vocals. The whole b-side of the album gets into stretched-out soundscapes. Are they visionary blueprints for ambient, drone and industrial music to come? Yes... but they are also unlistenable garbage in parts. Overall, this is an album I largely respect, but with large chunks I don't enjoy. 3*
It's a difficult album - experimental prog and I'm aware of Holger Czukay's work from David Sylvian albums. I guess avant-garde is a thing for some and it has influenced some great musicians. Unfortunately in some instances (Radiohead). But ultimately it isn't an album I'd listen to with any enthusiasm.
First half was good secind half is goofy af
4.0
Very into it so far. I think it said original recorded in 1971? Missed this during my initial classic rock phase. Very cool find. Long tracks. Liked it a lot.
This is my shit! Highly recommended! The drums on this are just outstanding, super heavy and just driving, they are a force! The whole band just blends together perfectly, 20 minute plus songs you wish were longer, just perfect!
The two long form experimental tracks are not essential and a rather difficult listen, but everything else is brilliant
Upon starting Tago Mago my first thought was that this sounds like it could veer into some musical territory that is dangerously close to Pink Floyd. Thankfully it never does. My second thought was that this record isn’t especially interesting in a world with bands like Tame Impala, Kraftwerk, Deerhoof, Aphex Twin and Public Image Ltd. Obviously those bands would not sound like they do if Can hadn’t made this record so for that I give them credit.
Rating: 5/10 The first album that is truly love/hate. The first half of this album was great, it had a lot of experimental and creative ideas while still being musical, even though it felt a bit meandering. The second half is where the experimentation became at times totally unlistenable, it seemed like they were trying to be weird just to be weird. Despite this, this album is very unique and one of the strangest albums I have ever heard, so I respect it for that reason alone even though I at times hated it musically. Favorite songs: Paperhouse, Halleluhwah. Worst songs: Aumgn, Peking O.
weird, hypno, psychedelica noodling that overstays its welcome.
Really cool. I liked it a lot
I've never heard of this band or album before, and its certainly interesting. The first few tracks are pretty good, but nothing will prepare you for the last half of the album, which is basically what happens if you go full retard with experimental music. I like experimental, but this is just too much. 2/5
Largely nonsense to my ears
I don’t have much to say except that yes, this is an album you should listen to and experience.
High
I know this is a classic, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood.
I will accept that this album would have been influential. For example, I can see how a song like Aumgn would have influenced songs like The waiting Room from the Lamb and On the Run from DSOTM. While I really like those two albums, those two songs are not the reasons I like them.
I like the first song and the last one. Most of the others are too drawn out for me plus the musicianship or song structures don’t warrant 15min + pieces. I know that they’re doing some ground-breaking things, with noise, tape-loops etc., as were other bands from that era like Soft Machine and of course the prog bands, and I know many punk groups claimed them as influences, so I'll round up.
Can was at the forefront of the Krautrock express and this is a pretty wild ride. There are some good ideas here but they drag them out a bit too long, no doubt listeners who were high on hallucinogens really dug this music. This is a 2.5 for me but it gets rounded up for its innovativeness.
Great until last couple of songs
Thought before listening: Krautrock. Classic album and one that I've heard before. I'm usually surprised by how organic Can sounds cause I think of Krautrock as mechanical and like a precursor to electronic music. This is my 2nd Can album on this list, and I did not like the first one...I believe I have enjoyed this on previous listens though. Review: I definitely like this better than the first one I listened to. This is pretty good although the long songs are way too repetitive including some that in my opinion are too avant garde for their own good (Augmn and Peking O). I do love the guitar work on this album though, especially on the song Halleluwah which stays interesting throughout its 17 minutes thanks to the guitar. My favorite tracks are that one and the opener Paperhouse.
garbage
Very odd album, like the soundtrack for a psychological horror movie
Enjoyable. This album is very much my jam. Now this is the weird German stuff I can groove to. Although a couple of the songs drag a little bit at times.
Here is an indisputably great album, though sticking the 2 long, noisy drone songs back to back near the end is a strange choice. Still a fantastic record that sounds as fresh today as it was in the 70s.
I’m bracing myself for this after looking at some reviews. I’m wondering where it will fall on my spectrum between “interesting experimental noise music that I love” and “shitty music that’s just a bunch of noise” spectrum. Track 1 - loved it -5 stars Track 2 - also 5 stars - is this the best album I’ve ever heard? Track 3 - maybe this isn’t the best album I’ve ever heard, but this looks like a 4 star song. I don’t like the vocal thing they are doing, which sounds like they were messing with tape speed? I did like the music, though, and liked the 2nd half when they stopped the tape thing. Wait - was the first half of this song the second half backwards? I Googled it. It is backwards, but different stuff. This is blowing my mind. FIVE STARS now. THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM I EVER HEARD. TRACK 4, let’s go - chuga chuga chug. Dootle dootle do. Chuga chuga- 5 stars. What is happening to me? Am I transforming into a whole new person? Track 5- …the hell? This isn’t what I fell in love with. Can, you’ve betrayed me. Track 6- Better than the last one! But I still miss the first half of the album. Track 7- better still. This feels like two different albums to me, and maybe it would’ve been nice if they released it as such? The first album is now one of my favorite albums of all time. And I’ll listen to it again and again. If I get the vinyl, I don’t know if the other record will ever come out of the sleeve. It sounded like the music you’d hear at an art museum with one of those long movies playing on a loop with images of weird eyeballs and smashing rocks and then you wonder why they didn’t just use this space for more cool paintings. Ultimately, my new true love of the first half is so pure, that nothing the second half did could have pulled my rating down past a 4 from the, like, 12 I would’ve given it. So, no, I’m not a whole new person. And I didn’t actually hate the second half. I just…you know… it tainted it.