EGE BAMYASI

If there's one Can album that could be called the perfect introduction to everything Can then Ege Bamyasi must be it. The focus has shifted from extended improvisations to concise songs, some of them even featuring melodies you could hum along with. Make no mistake, it's all trademark Can but it's just a tad more digestible then what came before.

The opener Pinch might be the hardest nut to crack. Nine and a half minutes of non-melodic improvisations, abstract sounds and random vocals on top of an entrancing break-beat. And guess what. It's irresistibly captivating. It is followed by three outstanding short songs. Sing Swan Song is a mesmerizing dreamy piece of music and One More Night is a visionary piece of music that would inspire countless generations of future artists, particularly trip hop guru Tricky must have learned a trick or two from this one. That goes even more for Vitamin C, a short but very affecting and funky tribal rock trip. The rhythmic section of Czukay and Liebezeit must be one of the grooviest in the world.

It fades into Soup, another proof of Suzuki's harmonically weird but extraordinary approach to vocals, there's so much raw power in that little man. After a good 3 minutes the song gradually evolves into very avant-garde territories. The noise experiments from minute 5 onwards are sure to drive any accidental bystanders away. It's Can giving the finger to melodic purists and it has rather to be seen as an artistic statement then a piece of music you play for Sunday breakfast. It's quit ok actually. No need for a big fuss.

I'm so Green is the reason this album strands at 4.5 stars. There's nothing wrong with it but it feels a bit fragmented and rushed. It's probably an excerpt from an improvisation that needed a bit more time to develop. Spoon on the other hand is one of Can's best 'songs'. It even feels like a song, with vocal melodies even resembling verses and a chorus.

Ege Bamyasi is not just an excellent album. It's an exceptionally excellent album. At 40 minutes it's a bit short to compensate fro its little flaws. Nevertheless, 4.5 big Bamyalar from me!