Search - Can :: Cannibalism

Hard to disagree

C. H Smith | Bowling Green, Kentucky United States | 02/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to disagree with what the other reviewers have said below. Although little appreciated at the time in this country, Germany-born Can (they sang their material in English) was the leading avant-garde rock group of the 70s and a major exponent of the genre known as Krautrock. Their music was classically inspired but demanding and explorative, employing simple driving rhythms, synthesizers, cut-and-paste techniques, noise, electronics, and long improvisational instrumental interludes: imagine a combination of the structural finesse of Frank Zappa, the energy of Television, the sometime seriousness of U2, the counter-culture slyness of Roxy Music or Velvet Underground, and the rawness of a garage band--and you have Can. Cannibalism I collects some of their best work, but does no better than serve as a tease for more. Good stuff!"

Mind-blowing music

David Grim | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 08/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This predominately German band was way ahead of the curve in the late 60's and early 70's. They are often credited with being the first to use tape loops and sampling. Their music simply made the most out of available technology while at the same time maintaining an organic sound. That is why they are essential to anyone who considers themselves a music lover today. Bands and musicians such as Kraftwerk, Sonic Youth, the Velvet Underground, Wire, David Byrne, John Lydon (PIL), Cabaret Voltaire, and scores of electronica artists were/are influenced by their ideas and sound. It's trance, experimental, tribal, world beat... and it's rock. Buy this album, and put on Yoo Doo Right (Track 12). Put out all the lights and find a comfortable seat. Make sure you are the only one in the room, and that your listening experience won't be interrupted. You WILL be transported. It is a profound emotional experience, time-warping and very centering. After the 20 minute track is over, start the CD from the beginning. Marvel at this music that really is unlike any you have ever heard, despite all it has influenced."

What an overlooked band! Sound 30 years ahead of their time

Bill M. | MA, USA | 03/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album on a friend's suggestion. I had considered myself pretty knowledgeable of bands that have been making music for 30+ years, since that's mostly what I listen to (my favorite bands include The Residents, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Blue Oyster Cult). Yet I still had never heard of Can. I listened to a few song samples here on the site, and seemed to preferr the older songs to the newer ones I heard. So I eventually bought this particular CD. Wow, was I blown away.The music on this compilation certainly has some elements that you'd expect from a late 60s / early 70s CD: psychadelic grooves and fusion/progressive-sounding playing. There's definitely some avant-garde stuff here too. But as for the overall sound that this band forged as their style, it sounds refreshingly unique to me. What's most amazing though, is how years-ahead-of-its-time it can sound. Songs like "Mushroom" and "Father Cannot Yell" sound like darkly fused rock/urban-beat songs you'd hear from some of America's "modern" bands. Others, like the hypnotic "Mother Sky" (my favorite) sound like they came out well after "techno" became a house-hold name. This CD is an excellent compilation of one incredible band. I can't believe so few music fanatics have heard of them."