Soundcrack
Overall Album Score: 8.8 out of 10 This album marks a major shift in Can that can only be seen as remarkably positive. The increasingly erratic and irritating vocals of Malcolm Mooney (who can still be seen butchering whatever was worth of "Soul Desert") with the more stable Japanese vocalist Damo Suzuki. I don't think anybody is a particular fan of Suzuki's vocals, but at least he's actually tolerable. Also, this isn't so much an album as a compilation of songs that this group cut for various obscure, art-house movie soundtracks hence the title. I want to state my love for "Tango Whiskyman" is entirely irrational, but I've always fancied myself as an irrational person whether that's true or not. At any rate, one of my favorite irrational hobbies is to memorize every one of my dreams after I wake up in the morning, and one of them last week consisted of "Tango Whiskyman" as the soundtrack... That doesn't prove anything other than Can did have some sort of effect on me as a listener! Also, that's the album's most quirky song, and I usually tend to like those... That's not to dismiss any of the other songs. "Deadlock" is a song that sounds to me like they were desperately emptying out their woe-ridden souls right there in the recording studio. Anyone who's interested in artistic rock music will definitely have to check out that song. It's freaking amazing. Also, "Mother Sky" is an utterly fantastic, 15-minute 'epic' that is a phenomenal improvement over their barely listenable 20-minute "Yoo Doo Right" from Monster Movie. In addition to "Deadlock," art-rock lovers would be at an extreme loss if they didn't also check out that one. It's not that difficult to get into, either, which is certainly a big perk. Perhaps the most bizarre move of the album is their choice to end it with a normal jazz tune, "She Brings the Rain," which features Mooney (in his only other performance) singing normally. If anything that proves the guy had some decent chops after all... Oh well, he's gone... The cool guitarist is thankfully given a few moments to shine, because he turns in a few beautiful performances. His blistering guitar in "Deadlock" is one of the main reasons that track was so memorable. It's no wonder he's one of the more notable guitarists in rock --- Well, he's more of a critical darling than publicly notable, unfortunately! Anyway, this is a fantastic album. It's certainly not for the average audience, but this also isn't obscure enough to lose anyone who's willing to give it a try. Overall Album Score: 8.8 out of 10 ("Mother Sky" is the mother of all mothers!!!) Average Song Score: 8.9 (This is probably the first legitmate CLASSIC in their discography although Monster Movie was certainly some sort of ordeal. The songs are amazing and fantastic though...) Album Tilt: 8.5 (Should I let "Soul Desert" ruin it? I guess... But at least it's only mildly.) Artist Rating: 9.0 (Yeah... This is *pretty* artistic...) Track Reviews Deadlock 9.5/10 The greatest aspect of this track is we hear Suzuki desperately singing a strange, bluesy song, and an electric guitar plays something that sounds detached but still connected through unscrupulous means. (Geez, that made no sense... Why do I even try?) What I do know is that this is kinduv awesome. The chord progression is interesting, and the electric guitar keeps the experience interesting. This is weird music, and Can really tapped into that crazy vibe here. Why must they do a fade-out at the end, though? Tango Whiskyman 9/10 I suppose this isn't that unusual other than this being Can's version of a tango. Nice that Damo Suzuki sings in an utterly non-obtrusive way. He allows the musicians to keep the texture alive and interesting instead of hogging the spotlight like Mr. Mooney would sometimes do. Anyway, there's really not much to this song other than an extremely busy and repetitive drum-line. The guitarist didn't give much in terms of his guitar virtuosity, so... well... I do like the chord progression even though that's nothing too unusual ... just the regular tango thing. I like that they're being quirky. This is a normal form of music done with their own funny twist... Deadlock (instrumental) 9/10 This is a minute and a half retread that's also great to hear. This is a tad more atmospheric and more drum heavy. Don't Turn the Light On, Leave Me Alone 9.5/10 This reminds me a bit of Brazilian-rock heroes Os Mutantes for some reason. A little bit of bossa nova and tropicana's in here. Suzuki's voice is downed out and I can only understand a handful of lyrics he sings, but at least you can hear the textures better ... which are done remarkably well. This is a percussion heavy song. The guitars are wonderfully played, and this even features an awesome flute! Soul Desert 7.5/10 Yeah, this is unquestionably Mr. Mooney... His annoying, whiny voice hogs the spotlight, and I end up not caring about the song. I don't think the instrumentation was done incredibly well either. They create a decent proto Talking Heads groove, but it's pretty choppy and lethargic. There's not a whole lotta life in this desert! At the same time, it's mildly interesting enough to extend its four minutes... Mother Sky 19/20 The fifteen minute monstrosity! Wow! There's not much point in me describing every second of this song like I'm sometimes tempted to do, but it's definitely worth noting how freaking well they change textures throughout. The textures are the whole point of this song, and they alter it at least every thirty seconds. Its this quality that keeps this song fresh and addictive all throughout its running length. It's not accessible to most listeners, but it's wild and unpredictable --- that's the way I like listening to rock music! They're utter masters at this sort of thing too, and it helps that the guitarist knows exactly what to do with his wild guitar playing. This is marvelous!! She Brings the Rain 8/10 Gee, this is a jazz song sung by Mooney who actually reveals himself to be a decent singer. It's entirely normal and everything about it is rational. I would think the guitarist would come in with a bizarre solo or something ... he only does it slightly and lightly at the end. Um... Thanks... You CAN e-mail me your comments here! |
All reviews are copyrighted by the author, Michael Lawrence. Grumble!!!!!!!!
