[#TBT] CAN / FUTURE DAYS (1973)

CAN - FUTURE DAYS (UNITED ARTISTS) 1973

By; Randy Nieto

Can is one of those bands that sound like a bunch of guys who love Fela Kuti smoked pot in their garage and made music on the instruments their moms bought for them from Montgomery Ward. Actually, members of the group were classically trained German musicians, but a trip to New York City “corrupted” founding member Irwin Schmidt, as he put it. (You’re not the first, Irwin.) Irwin wanted to foray into contemporary music, which at the time in Europe was composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Boulez. Boulez and Stockhausen were actually doing pretty cool stuff, but after you smoke a joint with Andy Warhol and Lou Reed, you realize how relative “cool” really is. At times Future Days sounds a lot like Air’s Moon Safari, but without the heavy bass or serenading vocals. Melding tropicalia, krautrock, afrobeat, and classical influences, Future Days served to really cement together genres and create a mellow yet highly progressive sound. Moonshake is the only song on the record that really serves to fit a typical pop song formula. This doesn’t mean the rest of the album is sub-par, in fact quite the opposite. Future Days exemplifies how disciplined these guys really were. This record belongs in every music lover's collection. Check out Moonshake below.

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LIAM FINN TALKS ABOUT WHATS ON HIS IPOD

Dream Pop artist and New Zealand native Liam Finn talks to us about what he's been listening to lately as he gears up to hit the road this summer.  His new album titled FOMO is out later this month via Yep Roc!

1. Vitamin C - Can
I find myself putting this song on when I want to get ready to head out... or go on stage... or get into the 'mood'. Such a cool beat and vocal. I love songs that create an instant atmosphere like this.



2. Faking Jazz together - Connan Mockasin
Connan is one of my bestest buddies, but I still find myself listening to his record 'Forever Dolphin Love'  all the time for pleasure, not just politeness. A true enigma in this world of modern music.


3.  Viral - Tonetta
This Canadian man has been making amazing and unique music and videos since the 80's relatively un-noticed. Check him out on youtube... He's so rad.


4.  Inside Looking Out - The Animals
Great band performance... one of those song I wish I was in the room when it was recorded. What a buzz.



5. War In Peace - Alexander "Skip" Spence 
My favorite lo-fi eccentric artists of the 60's. His album Oar is so loose and honest, effortlessly psychedelic.



6. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
One of my favorite songs ever. Such beautiful words, great imagery and a sentiment that any generation can relate to... but of course you already know that.



7.  Conditions - Pajama Club
This is my Mum and Dad's band. They started jamming after all the 'kids' left home and made these funky as songs. Conditions is one of my favorites and has a big fat groove and sweet bass line.


8.  Sunday morning coming down - Kris Kristofferson
This song is perfect for a hung over Sunday... he tells it just like it is with a deep soothing sad voice.



9. Ten Believers - Latin Playboys
Latin playboys made this album years ago now... Such a great meld of hi-fi and lo-fi. Tchad Blake who I got to mix half of my new album was in the band and recorded this.


10. Reflections - Diana Ross and the Supremes
Awesome freaky synth intro, into a classic song. I just love the sound of these Motown recordings and the band are just so groovy but still keep it simple.

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