Tago Mago by Can

I saw an article today called something like “50 albums You Must Listen To (according to Audiophiles)”. Firstly, only 50? Lightweights! Secondly, the article was profoundly depressing with the reviewer talking about bit rates and compression ratios, and not a jot about the music.

Well, this album today was recorded on two dodgy twin track tape machines in an echoey German castle in the middle of winter, with audio levels balanced by moving band members to the right distance from the microphones with strict instructions not to move around too much.

The music is classic Krautrock, with metronomic Motorik drumming, blistering guitars, reversed tape loops, sci-fi electronic effects made by fiddling with oscillators and bonkers screaming vocals from new addition to the band Damo Suzuki. You know that you’re in for a treat when there are just seven tracks on a full double album and they range from the hypnotic to a genuinely creepy take on an Aleister Crowley satanic ceremony that would make a good soundtrack for a Call of Cthulhu game.

Yes, it’s experimental. Yes, it’s mental. Yes, you should absolutely listen to this and freakout!

Kraut-tastik!