‘Mushroom’ – Can, 1971
This is the song that got me into Can [Wikipedia link], a very influential ‘krautrock‘ band. The drumbeat is so shuffly and slinky, and Damo Suzuki’s vocals give it a real otherworldly feel. My impression is that the song is about about a nuclear attack – “mushroom head” kind of gives it away. ‘Course, it could be about a guy who likes the ’shrooms. Either way, you’ve got to give Suzuki credit for his oblique lyrics.The explosion that starts the next song on Tago Mago (the equally brilliant ‘Oh Yeah’) leads me to believe it’s the former explanation.
Can are a hard band to get into, I’m finding. While I like the Tago Mago album, there are a couple of 15-minute-plus songs that are quite laborious. Nonetheless, the album is considered a classic, as is the Ege Bamyasi and Future Days (the last with Suzuki as lead singer) albums.
So, 15-minute-plus songs, ponderous concepts, incomprehensible album titles? Yep, it’s definitely on the pretentious side. Anyway, here’s the mandatory Youtube link. Enjoy!
December 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
hi, i’ve got a few little facts for ya: isle de Tago Mago is an island off Spain near Ibiza apparently & it had some connection with Aleister Crowley who amongst other infamy wrote Diary of a Drug Fiend in the early 20th century. I just saw now that the literal translation of Ege Bamyasi is supposed to be Turkish for Aegean okra [the vegetables in the actual can on the cover]. I actually got to see and even meet Damo himself as he comes out to Australia seemingly often enough these days. when I told him about my 1st actual mushroom trip & how Tago Mago [alongside Beefheart's Strictly Personal] was its opening soundtrack he lookd worried. the most recent time i saw his Network live it was an ex-flatmate of mine drumming. bizarre or wot?