Okay kiddos, kiddies, ex-kids, big kids, and everything in between!  Today we’re gonna talk about a little band called CAN.

But first I must preface this whole thing (as usual), starting with the fact that I really did try to come up with some sort of comprehensive list for the ending of the decade and what have you.  But it quickly dawned on me that I haven’t even listened to enough records that were released in 2009 to even compile a top 10 list.  In addition, I can’t even sort out or remember everything I’ve listened to this year.  Story of my life!

So then I thought really hard again (as years go by, this becomes increasingly more difficult), and thought I came up with this grand theory of how music becomes so personal to people, becoming “the soundtrack” to their lives as they say, that certain genres and artist become personalized markers on everyone’s individual chronology/timeline of growing up.  AND THEN, I was gonna just share stories of which artists my friends, family and loved ones have introduced me to, which have shaped my musical taste to date.  But goddammit, then I realized, “Hey, that’s fucking BOOOOORRRRING, and oh yeah, there’s really no point to this whole thing.”  And yeah, I also realize that maybe I’ve just lost my mind too.  So alas, I stared straight into the center of the cyclone of chaos where nothing made sense, and just said to myself, “Just fucking pick ONE band, or ONE genre, or just anything singular!”  And there you have it folks.  I chose Can.

CAN (Communism, Anarchism, Nihilism—how awesome of a backronym is that!) was an incredibly brilliant German experimental band from the late 60’s—1968 was there starting year, to be exact.  They were one of the very first krautrock bands; which basically meant they just said a big “FUCK YOU” to American musical influence, and stripped things down to a more minimal sound, and incorporated more world music into a psychedelic stew.  (Psychedelic shit is a running theme in my posts if you haven’t noticed..Mom and Dad are proud, I know).  Anyway, another thing that set Can apart from a lot of bands, was the fact that they used free improvisation and editing almost on the regular, to the point where they coined the term, “instant compositions.”  Sponteneity as the impetus for genius.  I like!

In addition, Can has laid the groundwork and influenced so many different artists spanning different genres, including: avant-garde, experimental, underground, ambient, new wave, electronic music, and post-punk.  Dude…The Fall, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Joy Division, David Bowie, Talking Heads, The Stone Roses, Sonic Youth and Radiohead have ALL cited Can as an influence.  If that’s not epic shit, I don’t know what is, man.

So anyway, I was lucky enough to find out about this amazing band through one of my old bosses, Fredrik Nilsen.  Dude was the coolest, nicest guy I’ve ever worked for, let alone one of the coolest I’ve ever met.  A fantastic photographer, dad, husband, artist, musician—just all-around awesome guy.  And he had the most extensive, eclectic, and awesome music collections I have ever seen in my life.  The crates ran deeeeeeeeeeeep ya’ll.  Like MAJOR.  He had all the necessaries (Dylan, Joy Division, etc.), along with crazy ass Noise shit, and of course, good ol’ Can.  He himself was in a few experimental noise bands back in the day, playing with the likes of Mike Kelley and Paul McCarthy, who are heavy hitters in the contemporary art world.  I really love when things transcend the boundaries and touch all these other parts of society, culture and life in general.

Blah, blah, blah, I’m feeling quite blabby today, my apologies.  So the album that really hooked me was one of Can’s later albums, Flow Motion.  Which is a bit unusual, because apparently “true” Can fans think the later work is shit.  Tago Mago and Monster Movie are supposed to be their magnum opus.  But whatever dude…Flow Motion is my jump off!  When I first heard it, I thought my heart stopped and my head floated into the atmosphere.  It’s truly brilliant.  I was just like, “What the fuck is this?!!?!  I must know everything and listen to everything they’ve ever made!!!”

I copped about 5 albums, and I just realized today that I don’t know where all of it went…great job!  I did find 2 albums, but alas, no Flow Motion.  Here’s a video though, to give you an idear, along with a couple of songs from some of their other albums.  Thanks for listening to my rambling and going-ons, and as a treat to you, please partake in zee German muzak!  Enjoy the ride, maaaaaaaan. 

Paperhouse

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