Can: Tago Mago

This was the second Can album I bought, when their back catalogue was first issued on CD in the late '80s, and to be honest, it put be off at the time. I haven't bought any more Can since, though at some point I shall listen to everything they've ever done — perhaps when there's one of those online subscription services that includes Can's complete works and doesn't use Microsoft file formats.

I can see why I was weirded out, because some of the tracks on what I like to think of as Sides 3 and 4 are not easy to listen to. You have to be in the mood. Oh Yeah I would have already half known when I got this, since I had the Fall album (is it This Nation's Saving Grace?) with I am Damo Suzuki on it — their tribute to Can's singer — which steals bits from Oh Yeah.

The bits I really like are the bits where Jaki Liebezeit's drumming clatters all over the place while still being incredibly disciplined. I saw him at the ICA three years ago as part of Cybersonica, playing with Burnt Friedman, and he was amazing to watch: so economical, so apparently simple, but profoundly effective and original.

MusicBrainz entry for this album