FUTURE DAYS

By many accounts a seminal release from this highly influential band, "Future Days" purveys a style that relies on both player and listener being subject to non pharmaceuticals. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, people were actually productive while under the influence - drugs haven't gone away but these days people don't take them for creative inspiration it seems. In any case, without the enhancements, this comes off as tribal music made by and for computers. The beats are incessant, the vocals barely audible, the ambient themes barely discernible.

Only on the title cut do we get the sense of the group's ability to compose while still improvising. This is hypnotic in a good way, with its chanted vocals developing a surprisingly strong melody under the circumstances, without the slightest concession to the establishment. The rest of the album has a few good moments sprinkled about but not enough to warrant the status this work enjoys.

I haven't heard any other early Can but I wouldn't say this one is essential, even if it does contain one excellent piece. However, if my description intrigues, then by all means dive into Can's days long past.