FUTURE DAYS

This album was one of my first entries into the world of what is called Krautrock. As it usually happens in life... good luck follows those who have no reason to benefit from it. I threw the proverbial dart at the dart board and it landed on Future Days. What I scored... a masterpiece of musical 'land'scapes and minimalist musical-art. Looking for fiery ultra complex music... I'd look elsewhere. Looking for a album that will take you away and lose you in the music, this is an album to try. This album is about atmosphere.. and more atmosphere. The vocalist Damo Susuki sounds as if he has a bad case of the mumbles throughout the album.. but it works so well in the context of this album. This album appears to be nautically themed with the ocean blue cover, the trident, and of course the music which wastes no time on the opening title track creating an ocean soundscape of crashing waves and rolling tides. The thing that I adore so much about minimalist music is the slightest musical statements.. which might be lost in the thunder of drums, keyboards, and bass run amuck carry such weight like the guitar which heralds the end of the extended intro into the main part of the title track. This is music to lose yourself in... this is an album that I love putting in the mp3 player and heading into the yard, stretching out in the grass and watching the clouds race by overhead through a beautiful carolina blue sky. The second track Spray.. has a bit of 'bubbly' vibe courtesy of the the keyboards at the beginning and some really interesting drumming by Liebezeit. Once again Karoli's guitar heralds the end at the extended atmospheric intro and brings us to more mumbling by Suzuki. What he is singing I really don't know.. but at this point into the album.. if you reallycared.. you would have turned it off by now hahaha the atmosphere is what is moving you.. not the meer words of a vocalist. Moonshake, the shortest track on the album has.. coincidence I'm sure.. the most intelligible singing by Suzuki on the album. A nice beat to the song that has lost the aquatic theme that has so far dominated.. and will continue to do so on this album. The song I tend to skip through most often. Last up is the crown jewel of this album. The side long Bel Air. Stirring intro with the crashing waves, sweet guitar and bass. Does it meander at times.. it may... does it say anything in 20 minutes... no.. not to me at least. Take it it for what it was.. a musical seascape painting and enjoy the scenery.

I really love this album but something keeps me from calling it a masterpiece and awarding it 5 stars. It wasn't Can's most progressive or experimental work and though the atmosphere is brilliantly execuated... it's lack of variety makes this album a love it or hate it album. Personally it' s a 5 star album... forum at large.. 4 stars and would be an excellent addition to anyone's prog collection.