Can: Soundtracks Vinyl LP

Another twisted release from the German psychonauts. Soundtracks was a bridge between Can‘sfirst and second proper albums, comprised of commercial (hah) work the band had recorded for films. Of course, Can is about as far from commercial as you can get; and don’t think Eno ambience either, the seven pieces in here are prime slices of their hardcore soulful psychedelia. The centerpiece is “Mother Sky,” a 15 minute excursion into mind fuckery that could really be a litmus test for whether you should spend any time listening to the group or not. If you can’t hang with this, best to catch the next bus. Right up there with some of the Velvet Underground‘smost intense efforts, this lies at the exact intersection of Punk and Hippy. Another Can classic contained here is “She Brings the Rain,” a spooky and slinky pseudo-supper club spellbinder. Nice. “Soul Desert” packs a drumbreak and some Malcolm Mooney yelps (vocals on this LP are split between him and proto-Eye Damo Suzuki), and “Tango Whiskyman” catches an appealing groove as well. Official 2014 reissue with freshremaster and free MP3 download, recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• housed in repro pic sleeve w/ printed liner note insert
• digital download included
• original release year: 1970
• music label: Spoon 2014

reviewed by monk 06/2008

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