Search - Can :: Anthology

Can's condensed soup

Catfood03 | in front of my computer typing reviews | 11/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anthology is a two-disc collection of Can's groundbreaking music, whose early experimental Rock music in the 1970's was highly influential on many bands that followed. The music is not presented in strict chronological order, but rather split between early-period and latter day between two discs. The first disc contains selections from what many fans consider their musical peak (early to mid-70's), while the second covers the remainder of their career.



If Anthology has a fault is that it is very difficult to get the true experience of the individual albums from the selections contained here. Can was very much an album's band, because it is in its albums that the music could really stretch into trance-like meditations or driving percussive workouts (oftentimes surpassing ten minutes or approaching nearly twenty). Anthology compromises successfully by making edits that are easily presentable to the first-time listener, and to ensure that the listener is presented with as broad an overview as possible by leaving room from other tracks. ("Halleluwah" for example, is a third of its original length, while "Yoo Doo Right" seems to be the exception to this edit rule).



The booklet inside is several pages thick and includes many band photos from the various line-ups of Can's personnel, as well as promotional graphics. Two notable inclusions is a recent photo of former Can vocalists Malcolm Mooney and Damo Suzuki together in the same shot, and a bizarre ad for the Saw Delight album. The liner notes have a casual air about it, and even gives mention to Out of Reach, the one Can album completely disowned by the band and not represented on this collection.



My recommendation is for the Can-curious to start here. I know many Can fans would recommend trying Tago Mago, Future Days, or Soon Over Babaluma first, but with Anthology you will also get the best cuts from latter-day Can albums that, while also enjoyable, slowly shifts into more conventional music styles. However you approach Can its gonna be a weird, wild trip.

"

MUST have for any progressive music aficionado

mmaloof | Peoria, IL | 07/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I could go on for days why this album is so unbelievably amazing... so amazing I might have to get everything else CAN has made. I've had an interest in this band for some time... why I took so long to pick up some of there stuff, I do not know. If you are like me (someone who isn't satisfied with most of what the music industry is putting out) you should stop what you are doing and order this immediately and let your enlightenment begin."