FUTURE DAYS

I have never been keen on the music of Can, ever since I was lured into buying their "Limited edition" album by the lowly price tag it bore on its release in 1974. It was therefore with some trepidation that I acquired from a good friend several more of their albums.

Right from the atmospheric opening sweeps of the title track, it is clear that this is not a traditional prog album (if there is such a thing) but a collection of repetitive, ambient sounds. Were it not for the incessant back beat this could be an album by TANGERINE DREAM or even an obscure trance outfit. The vocals are muddled and distorted, while the instrumentation focuses on simply repeating the basic sounds, BUT NOT themes.

Any semblance of structure in the opening track are quickly dispelled by the second track "Spray" where the percussion comes to the fore in a jumble of directionless improvisation. To me, this is not music, it is indulgent noodling. That said, I can understand that some people may enjoy the overall sound, in the way some people find the tone of a vacuum cleaner relaxing. The brief (and only short track on the album) "Moonshake" which closes side one has a slightly more commercial feel, the singing being slightly more to the fore and dare I say almost melodic.

The second side of the album consists entirely of the 20 minute "Bel air". So improvisational is this monolith, that it can seem like there has been no pre-planning or composition for the track at all. Irmin Schmidt's floating keyboard sounds do at least add a pleasant wash to the initial section, but the dominant percussion is intrusive and unnecessary.

It must be recognised that Can have built up a small but faithful fan base, so they clearly do offer something which appeals to a certain audience. What the unsuspecting passer by needs to be aware of though is that they should not come to "Future days" or other similar albums seeking music as such. This is very much an acquired taste, for those who like there music to take other forms, or who feel that as long as the sound is pleasing, how it is structured is of little significance. Not my cup of tea though.

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