Can
Biography
**Can**
In the pantheon of experimental rock, few albums have achieved the perfect synthesis of avant-garde ambition and primal groove quite like Can's 1971 masterpiece "Tago Mago." This double album stands as the German band's crowning achievement, a hypnotic journey through uncharted sonic territories that seamlessly blends krautrock's motorik rhythms with free jazz improvisation, electronic manipulation, and psychedelic exploration. Anchored by the otherworldly vocals of Japanese singer Damo Suzuki and the band's legendary rhythm section, "Tago Mago" captures Can at their most adventurous and cohesive, featuring epic tracks like the 18-minute "Halleluhwah" and the haunting "Mushroom," which would influence generations of musicians from punk rockers to electronic producers.
Can emerged from the cultural ferment of late 1960s Cologne, founded by two classically trained composers who would help revolutionize popular music. Irmin Schmidt, a student of Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Holger Czukay, who had also studied under the pioneering electronic composer, formed the band's intellectual backbone. They were joined by guitarist Michael Karoli and drummer Jaki Liebezeit, whose metronomic precision would become Can's rhythmic foundation. The band's name, contrary to popular belief, wasn't an acronym but simply the English word "can," chosen for its positive connotations and international accessibility.
The group's early incarnation featured American sculptor Malcolm Mooney as vocalist, whose unhinged performances on their debut "Monster Movie" (1969) established their reputation for unpredictable live shows and studio experimentation. However, it was the arrival of Damo Suzuki in 1970 that truly unlocked Can's potential. Legend has it that the band discovered Suzuki busking outside a Munich café and immediately invited him to perform with them that very evening. His stream-of-consciousness vocal style, delivered in a mixture of English, German, and Japanese, perfectly complemented the band's improvisational approach.
Can's methodology was as revolutionary as their sound. Working from their converted castle studio, Schloss Nörvenich, they would jam for hours, with Czukay later editing the results into coherent songs. This technique, which they called "instant composition," predated the sampling revolution by decades and resulted in music that felt both spontaneous and meticulously crafted. Their approach to rhythm was equally innovative – Liebezeit's drumming, influenced by his jazz background, created hypnotic patterns that could sustain listener interest across extended compositions.
Following "Tago Mago," Can continued their hot streak with "Ege Bamyasi" (1972), which featured their closest approximation to a hit single, "Spoon," originally composed for a German television thriller. The album showcased their ability to condense their expansive vision into more accessible formats without sacrificing their experimental edge. "Future Days" (1973) found them exploring more ambient territories, creating dreamy soundscapes that would later influence the post-rock movement.
Suzuki's departure in 1973 marked the end of Can's most celebrated period, though they continued recording with various vocalists and as an instrumental unit throughout the 1970s. Albums like "Soon Over Babaluma" (1974) and "Flow Motion" (1976) showed the band adapting to changing musical landscapes, even incorporating disco elements, though purists often consider these later works less essential.
Can's influence extends far beyond their relatively modest commercial success. They are widely credited as pioneers of krautrock, a movement that would inspire punk, post-punk, and electronic music. Artists as diverse as Joy Division, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, and countless techno producers have cited Can as a crucial influence. Their use of tape loops, found sounds, and rhythmic repetition helped lay the groundwork for genres that wouldn't fully emerge until decades later.
The band's legacy has only grown with time. Critical reassessment has positioned them among the most important experimental rock groups of all time, with "Tago Mago" frequently appearing on greatest albums lists. Their influence on contemporary music remains profound, from the motorik beats that drive modern krautrock revivalists to the textural experimentation of ambient electronic music.
Can officially disbanded in 1991, though various members continued collaborating on projects. Sadly, Liebezeit passed away in 2017, and Czukay in 2017, but their revolutionary
