Rating the classics: Can - Tago Mago
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Topic: Rating the classics: Can - Tago Mago
Posted By: Logan
Subject: Rating the classics: Can - Tago Mago
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 12:50
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3508" rel="nofollow">
3.87 | 302 ratings
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3508" rel="nofollow - Tago Mago 1971 Despite the quite high rating, and I recall it being rated considerably lower when I joined this site, this is an album that has divided opinion to a considerable extent. I did not much like it when I got it (other than `Aumgn`, which I immediately loved, but gives many people problems), and it really took Ege Bamyasi (which I got later) for me to start to love Can. Later I returned to Tago Mago and instantly really liked it. I thought Tago Mago sounded too amateurish at first, and I did not think it was really progressive rock (one of those albums that didn`t take many spins to love, but maybe I needed some time in between for my tastes to catch up). I rated it five stars, by the way. Here are some short excerpts of reviews which I have done poorly as I did not want to spend a long-time fine tuning the excerpts (please don`t be upset for butchering a review. The full reviews are much more enlightening):
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=12" rel="nofollow - corbet
PROG REVIEWER 
This is one of those albums that everyone just needs to own, like Dark Side of the Moon, or something....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=325" rel="nofollow - Sean Trane
COLLABORATOR Prog Folk
Although not an easy listen (if you're only into symphonic prog , you probably will not like/understand this....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=4698" rel="nofollow - loserboy PROG REVIEWER Honorary Reviewer ...To many I suppose this album will sound
a wee bit dated, but for me it is a wonderful and highly experimental
avant garde piece of German progressive rock.
scarpe@tiscal
Tago Mago is a real trip... You've just to lay on your bed, lights off,
and listen. You will see emotions rise up in your head and exploding in
the final part of "Aumgn" just like fireworks. You will laugh at the
madness of "Peking O". You will feel sad at the first strings of "Bring
me coffee or tea"... wow. One of the greatest album ever made.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=1029" rel="nofollow - Proghead PROG REVIEWER ...Without a doubt "Aumgn"
and "Peking O" are the definate love it or hate it pieces. Everyone
will question your sanity for listening to those pieces, and they're
certain clear parties so fast, you'd be wondering if you remembered to
hold a party. But those two pieces are absolute genius, and you have to
be pretty accustomed to the more radical albums of Krautrock (like
TANGERINE DREAM's "Zeit") to appeciate this. Incredible stuff, and
without a doubt, CAN at their finest!
jeremywhite@m
This is one of the best progresive albums I have ever listened to, and also one of the most
influential....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=164" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=164" rel="nofollow - Carl floyd fan PROG REVIEWER 
... Anywho, I
couldn't even begin to explain this album to a newbie of kraut rock but if you want an
interesting album with funny, scary (especially the vocals, the guy sounds like he belongs
in an insane asylum but it adds to the atomphere) noice, get this album. Can is way ahead
of their times and its amazing to find that this is only 1971. Procced with caution and be
patient, you'll get something positive out of it eventually!http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=1246" rel="nofollow - Neu!mann PROG REVIEWER
Contrary to the evidence presented elsewhere on this site there really aren't too many
albums, prog or otherwise, deserving an unconditional five-star accolade, and in my not
entirely unbiased opinion the majority that do originated in Germany during the early
1970s. But while I treasure the tongue-in-cheek acid deconstructions of FAUST, the
irresistible momentum of NEU!, the sometimes intimidating deep-space void of early
TANGERINE DREAM, so forth and so on, I tend to go all to pieces when contemplating
the music of CAN....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=636" rel="nofollow - greenback SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Neo-Prog Specialist 
I was told that if I don't get the krautrock style, a subgenre of the progressive rock,
then maybe some of the best Can albums would definitely convince me. Well, I still
don't get this strange, psychedelic, UNMELODIOUS and MARGINAL music....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=882" rel="nofollow - Trotsky
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator 
...I can't imagine that fans of symphonic progressive rock will enjoy the psychedelic drivel of
Mushroom, Oh Yeah, Paperhouse and Halleluwah (although the latter two have moments
of promise). While those songs are tough enough to stomach, they are nothing compared
to the jarring 17 minute long electronic soundscape exercise Aumgn and its follow-up
Peking O. In fact as someone who is also a fan of RIO, Canterbury, jazz-fusion, and
quality psychedelic rock, I'm still baffled as to where the true appeal of Can lies. I really
hated large parts of this album. If pushed, I'd say Bring Me Coffee Or Tea was the only
song that I could tolerate all the way through. ... 19% on the MPV scale
kamilqkla@int
It was my first Can's album. I loved them from first heared. For me this music is
absolutely amazing. Something new for me. Something strange an fascynating...
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=428" rel="nofollow - James Lee
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator ...Newcomers, do what you can to prepare yourself. Take the wild and free days of early
PINK FLOYD (up to and including the more bizarre moments of "Ummagumma"), make
sure you're comfortable with ZAPPA's off-kilter melding of rock and jazz, and it wouldn't
hurt to listen to things like APHRODITE'S CHILD's "666" and COMUS' "First Utterance" a
few times before you have a decent context for your first "Tago Mago" experience.
You still won't be fully ready for the unique and unsettling wonders of CAN, but at least
you won't be trying to compare them to bands like DREAM THEATER or RUSH or
CAMEL. This is much more progressive, in every sense of the word....
theinfiltrate
A classic, but not a perfect one. If you want some avantgarde-oriented album and not
another boring Genesis clone, this album is what you're looking for....
gorillaki@gma
Prog rock fans will hate it, since it has none of the boring cliches of the ordinary
progrock groups that were supposed to do something-related-to-music by just leeching
the classicals and adding some utterly dull "modern" equipment effects.
Krautrock fans will hate it too, as it is sung (?) in english and can only remotely
be associated to rock, blues, jazz, contemporary, soul or whatever.
For the rest, it's the most iconoclastic, influential and important post-rock'n'roll,
post-bebop, post-pop, post-something recording ever made, period and fullstop....
slack4justice
Tago Mago is one of the most sweeping and fluid albums of all time. Everything this
album touches on, ambience, atmosphere, electronics, fusion, solos, everything is
extremely well placed while sounding raw at the same time. No one sounds like Can,
and Tago Mago is a perfect example. Suzuki's emotional vocals, the intense
percussion, the fast-paced breaks, the droning atmospheric drops, everything blends
together in one giant spread of perfected audio liquid....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=4300" rel="nofollow - archon
Ok, listen.This an intellectual project.Period.For his hystorical importance he gets
5/5 or maybe more.For his lisenabilty, beautiness and those other thing the rating
depends on every single listener.You must be prepared for this.Fortunately i got into
it and for me it's a 4/5.Together it's 4.5 but I just can't figure out more than 4-5
albums greater than this...so it has to be 5/5.FULL....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=405" rel="nofollow - Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator ...
Definitely this is not my cup of tea. I tend to give a one star rating but I'm sure some
collectors / fans of this legendary album would enjoy this kind of music. But if you can not
accept music with repeated segments, please don't ever try to have this album in your
collection. Keep on proggin' ..!http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=3292" rel="nofollow - Bilek
Third album by Krautrock pioneers, and a masterpiece at that!Everything that could be said about this album is already said above, so no need to re- review the album. Suffice to note that Tago Mago, and Krautrock genre in general is not everbody's cup of coffee, so care should be taken when approaching this (and most other Can) album....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=2353" rel="nofollow - Philrod
PROG REVIEWER
Wow...as I enter te mysterious Kraut Rock World, this is my entrance door. Can's Tago
Mago is an album that took me a lot of adjustments. In order to appreciate this album
entirely, you have to stop thinking about rock, stop thinking about melodies:we are far
away removed from Yes or Genesis! This is different and took a whole lot of listens to
truly undertsand its immensity and power....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=8061" rel="nofollow - 1971
The album starts of really pleasant with "Paperhouse", "Mushroom" and "Oh Yeah",
followed by this albums best track "Halleluwah". This track is marvellous, mostly because
of the fantastic drums that is extremely rhythmic. The track is more than 18 minutes
long and by the end the careless and sloppy singing starts to annoy me. Track
five "Aumgn" is a 17 minutes long pain. I think this track is a very poor and pointless
sound experiment. Not that avant garde is unfamiliar to me, but "Aumgn" is just waiste
of time! ...
s_dipiazza@ju
This is a great album all the way through. Aumgn is my favorite. The formlessness of the
piece is really beautiful and the ending with the percussion is heartpounding. Deserving
of playing full blast!...
jackal59@cent
This is one I play half of at work all the time - guess which half ...
The four stars says how good the first half is - if it were anyone else,
this would
be a 1 or 2.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=3567" rel="nofollow - CVoss
I have to agree with the entire world that Can was at their peak with this double-album
(upon original release). The music becomes much less dense in comparison to Monster
Movie and Soundtracks, yet Can puts together their most original work yet, with sprawling
rhythms at the center of this masterpiece...
dan43@hotmail
Progressive artists never cease to amaze me with their wide variety of mind-bending styles
that push the limits of human capacity. ...http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=7671" rel="nofollow - Cheesecakemouse
Essential, hypnotic, innovative, avantgarde I would argue that this is the 'Close to the
Edge' of Krautrock.This album knocked my socks off, it sounded as if it was recorded within the last ten years, not over 30 years ago....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=8748" rel="nofollow - Hejkal
Krautrock has its moments but this album is not the one that a man could remember. It's
something so odd, unmelodycal and too psychedelic. It has its value only as the dead end
of music evolution....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=9032" rel="nofollow - OpethGuitarist
PROG REVIEWER ....I would only recommend this to those fans of extreme psychedelic or those with drug
problems who may find some sort of enlightenment in this. Being as it's considered a
staple of the Krautrock genre, I'm more than willing to admit I'm a complete novice
to Krautrock. But after this set of experiences, I have little desire to go any
further into exploring it.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=10545" rel="nofollow - Chris H PROG REVIEWER ....It couldn't have
been 10 minutes before my mother comes up and says "What is this crap?". I couldn't
agree more Mom! ...This has to take the cake for the most pointless album ever made. Ever. "Peking O"
and "Mushroom" are two of the stupidest, pointless songs I have ever heard. Maybe you
need to be on shrooms to get everything out of them?....1 star, DO NOT BUY!http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=1918" rel="nofollow - Eclipse PROG REVIEWER This
is CAN's masterpiece ... this album won't
turn you schizophrenic!! It is actually the kind of music that will work
as a mind / creativity exercise, so don't start questioning how sane
you are for enjoying such unique music. This is an excellet gem, so,
with no fear, i give the full rating to this seminal album of
progressive music.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=3532" rel="nofollow - The Wizard PROG REVIEWER
As I sit here listening to this strange beat noise machine that is Tago Mago I feel that
normal language conventions cannot describe it's surreal beauty....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=9304" rel="nofollow - Evans
I have not always though that Can's "Tago Mago" was a masterpiece. At first, i didn't
even like it. However, i did not give up on it, and when i finally came around, it
changed my view on music completely....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=1442" rel="nofollow - russellk PROG REVIEWER ....It's certainly not one of my favourite albums, and I seldom listen to it. But it, and the other CAN albums of
this period, were important to the development of a number of music genres. It is one of those low
rotation, high interest albums that make any music collection better. And 'Halleluwah' is a monster.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=8636" rel="nofollow - thellama73
Tago Mago is widely considered the best Can album. Having only heard this one and Future Days, I can't speak to that, but
this is certainly a strange and unique double album. The first half is filled with groove oriented Krautrock jams, like
Paperhouse and Mushroom. I can't say I'm very fond of these songs. The singer's voice strikes me as somewhat annoying and the
aimless repetition does nothing for me. However, after just a few songs, the album takes an abrupt left turn into spacey
experimentalism....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=123" rel="nofollow - Easy Livin FORUM & SITE ADMIN GROUP Site Admin & Moderator
The yoke is on the listenerI'm not a fan of Can, or indeed this type of music. Those who know and love their music can therefore safely ignore this review. For those unfamiliar with their work however, the intention here is to provide a balance by offering the views of someone who enjoys prog, but does not particularly enjoy this ... It may seem strange to question the progressiveness of a double album with two side long tracks and just seven tracks in total. The point here is though that the track lengths simply reflect the fact that the band takes a simple riff or rhythm, and repeats it ad-nauseum. There's no development of the themes, and little if any changes to the pace of each track. The playing is simplistic and in reality totally undemanding upon the performers. In short, an album only for those who know what they are letting themselves in for.... http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=9980" rel="nofollow - Mellotron StormPROG REVIEWER
It's pretty incredible that out of 88 ratings(including mine) only four
people rated it as a 3 star record. This is the kind of album that
seems to polarize prog fans,mainly because of the experimental stuff
that's going on, along with the repetetive melodies. I'm one fan
who although not a big fan of experimental music,really appreciates the
genius going on here,and one has to acknowledge that this
band and album have been a huge influence in the music world ... Essential Krautrock !http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=2119" rel="nofollow - Zargus
The Sgt pepper of Krautrock! And yust like Captain Beefhearts Trout mask
replica it devides opininos like no other album some hate
it and dont understand whats the fuzz is all about and some like me love
it, but no one can denia its importance....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=16378" rel="nofollow - King Crimson776
Seriously great album, this one. By far Can's best; the reason it's not
as highly rated as some of Can's inferior albums is because all the
people who have a negative opinion of the band bombarded this album
because it's their most famous....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=8691" rel="nofollow - Flucktrot PROG REVIEWER
Either you get it or you don't, right? In that case, maybe I don't. After being through this album many times and in many
moods (though admittedly no chemically-induced ones), words such as genius and masterpiece simply don't come to mind when I
think of Tago Mago. Whatever you do, don't make the mistake I did, which is to apply the traditional prog rule-of-thumb that
longer tracks are generally better. The exact opposite rule applies to this album in fact....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=14968" rel="nofollow - uduwudu
This
album is a series of experiences. Nothing like most other listeners
ever get to hear. It is obscure, difficult and
possibly determined to annoy ... Tago Mago is an album you do have to be
in a certain mood to enjoy. Mainly because we are all trained or
brought up to hear
melodies, rhythms in an arranged, acceptable manner - dare I say
format?... It is psychedelic, spaced out, yet oddly not dated as it is
music that uses it's technology rather than vice versa. .. .There are
those that will never like this and think little of it. Certainly if you
are used to hearing standard music
verse, chorus etc this will not find favour there. But if abstract avant
garde, RIO, pyschedelia is to your taste then here
is a very good listen. ... This album is brave, adventurous and well
considered, it is difficult, progressive, weird....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=17443" rel="nofollow - dholl
This album is a brilliant example of fun, groovy and experimental rock music. It stems from the early 70's: a period of
music Europe-wide that brought so much exciting sonic adventure....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=3427" rel="nofollow - digdug
Parts of this album are not too bad and....I might even get to like them.....but parts of this album are not
even close to music..... I am a huge Pink Floyd fan....and some of this weird stuff reminds me of Pink
Floyd's weird moments.....but 18 or 19 minutes of straight noise is just too much.... This may be a great
album for some people....but I can't listen to large portions of it.....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=18628" rel="nofollow - kabright
I am suprised this album isn't rated higher. This is certainly my favorite CAN album. This music has a
certain otherworldly magic to it in the same way MAGMA does. That being said, it sounds nothing like
MAGMA. It just sounds so crisp, so confident.
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=19675" rel="nofollow - Maclin
Best album of all time. Hands down. Pure Genius. Everything comes in exactly when it is supposed to. I
find absolutely no fault in this record. Its like someone took a recording of a brain, and then put it on an
album. ....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=16511" rel="nofollow - UMUR SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator Tago Mago is a really excellent album and had all songs been of the same high
quality I would have given the album 5 stars. But as almost half an hour of the
music is something I skip almost every time I listen to the album I´ll have to
take away the last star and only give Tago Mago 4 stars. This album is highly
recommended though and for people who like psychadelic music this is a must buy.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=15917" rel="nofollow - burtonrulez
Tago Mago is a brilliant album that I'm surprised hasn't got a higher rating here. ... This has quicklybecome a favourite of mine, and an unquestionable 5 stars http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=17787" rel="nofollow - MovingPictures07
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=16867" rel="nofollow - alionida
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=17766" rel="nofollow - horsewithteeth11
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=20541" rel="nofollow - Negoba
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=23812" rel="nofollow - Neurotarkus
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Metal & Heavy Prog Teams
The relatively low rating of Tago Mago is a typical phenomena
of Prog Archives. I don't say
that as a criticism, just as an observation. It's only logical that a
band's most acclaimed album
gets the attention and scrutiny of the occasional passer-by and in case
of Can, the predictable 1
and 2 star ratings as an obvious result. ... You may like it instantly,
you might need years till it dawns on you or it might never mean
anything
at all. It certainly took me a few years (and a punk phase of sorts)
till I was unchained from my
earlier harmonic preconceptions and learned to appreciate music for its
rhythmic feel, emotive
intensity or for the artistic ethics instead of just for good melodies.
The liberty obtained by
that process and the amounts of great music it has unleashed on my
CD-shelf is nothing short of amazing. 4.5 starshttp://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=22630" rel="nofollow - Kazuhiro COLLABORATOR Neo-Prog Team
The music characters of albums of them who had been announced at the time of 1973
from especially 1969 might have influenced very various districts. Of course, the revolution
of the music that Can did and directionality is the existence of the legend for various
musicians. It is also true to have kept always making reformative music after they debut.
The meaning of this album will be sure to have the meaning very much for them when
thinking about the activity to "Future Days" that they announced. Some respects will be able
to be enumerated in it....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=16579" rel="nofollow - friso PROG REVIEWER ... Conclusion. This album has survived the test of time in a brilliant way. Record one is a masterful
Can creation and record two is heaven for people who like true experimentation, avant-garde and even
music beyond that. I'll rate lp one with four stars and record two with another four stars. The
latter doesn't get it's stars for nice listening and have a great sunday afternoon, but because of
it's motivation and innovation. This is a very important (I might say essential) record for
progressive music: it will appeal to fans of Krautrock, psychedelic rock, psycho-beat, highly
rhythmical music, jam-music, avant-garde and experimental music. For others this might be too
psychedelic and hard to get into. I myself like the first record very much and have to be in a
really good mood to listen to the second, though the latter strikes me as one of the most daring
recordings of prog history! Four stars, well deserved!
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=17216" rel="nofollow - Sinusoid
PROG REVIEWER
TAGO MAGO is one of the most controversial albums under the progressive rock umbrella,
and it's easy to see why. When the genre of progressive rock is spoken, people think about
lush keyboards, crystal clean production, memorable melodies and carefully constructed
compositions; CAN has virtually none of these elements here. I can't make the warning any
clearer: if you don't like long jams, compositions that are almost ''nonmusical'' and ''off'' vocals
then stay very clear from TAGO MAGO. ... This is an album where you'd better know yourself
before buying. If you're the music fan that is open, adventurous or has a knack for
experimentalism, this is a good purchase.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=28503" rel="nofollow - tarkus1980 PROG REVIEWER
One of the best and most reverenced albums in the history of "underground" rock music,
Tago Mago was my introduction to Can, and I frankly wouldn't have had it any other way. It's
an album that can satisfy snooty prog-rock fans and snooty indie-rock fans alike, combining
incredible chops and grooves with incredible sounds and textures in a way that must have
been beyond mind-blowing back in 1971 (and that's to say nothing about the creepiness
factor). In short, this is the ultimate Can experience. ... one of the most incredibly screwed up, but also one of the most
incredible, albums made in the 70's. The most experimental tracks can scare away even
the faithful, but if you can't get into "Mushroom," "Oh Yeah" or "Halleluwah," then Can is simply
not for you. Any adventerous music lover should have this.
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=1883" rel="nofollow - ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
This double album from "Can" is probably a turnkey in their musical history and a definite
breakthrough .. 2 stars.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=20315" rel="nofollow - AtomicCrimsonRush SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Team
The unsettling soundtrack to a lunatic asylum ...My opinion now, beyond the historical significance. Unless you are a fan of disturbing
insane prog, give this a wide berth. It was interesting as a curio of early Krautrock, but that's
where it begins and ends for me. This album is obviously going to garner very strong
reactions and some may hate it, some may like it; I am kind of combined with a love hate
relationship on this. Which is more than I can say for the detestable weird art music out
there such as Bjork, or Yoko Ono. Can is nowhere near as bad but... sorry, I am just not
interested in being bombarded by insane burbling and improvised twangs. Magma are as
far as I am prepared to go in that regard. I will award "Tago Mago" the 1 star for its iconic
Krautrock status, and 1 star for the audacity to produce it. Definitely for collectors. Believe
the hype; this is beyond bizarre. http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=390" rel="nofollow - Rune2000
There is really point for me to go through these compositions since this is not really an album consisting of individual compositions but more as a coherent experience of sounds and music like you've never heard before. It will also be impossible to give Tago Mago a rating based on the general guidelines since, like any piece of modern art, it can't be limited to constraints of a general rating.... http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=18270" rel="nofollow - SaltyJonSPECIAL COLLABORATOR Zeuhl RIO/Avant & Canterbury Teams
... I'll take this album to the
grave with me, though - I never want to be separated from the wonderful, incredible music that
unfolds across this sprawling 73+ minutes. An essential album, not only for prog fans, or Krautrock
fans, but for music fans. It will blow you away every time you listen to it if you're anything like
me. http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=7686" rel="nofollow - JJLehto PROG REVIEWER
I will admit, my entry into "krautrock" is still fairly new. Personally,
I really loved this album,
but it's reviews appears to be quite mixed. Frankly, I'm not sure why.
Well, actually I can see why.
This is difficult music. Not in its technicality or complexity. In fact
it's the opposite case! This
album really has no structure to it. That is because this album was
pretty much a giant improv jam,
which was then taken and edited into songs. I love it. The album is
really free flowing. While it
may have no structure it does not feel chaotic or disjointed, it is
really smooth and mellow. This
album is basically a giant psychedelic rock improv jam. What's not too
love?.... Keep an open mind and try this album. Give it a few listens,
and make sure you really listen. I
don't think you will disappointed. Some parts could be a bit slow/boring
and I'm sure some will be
turned off by its more outright experimental sections, but please try
it. A truly truly unique
album!....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=30993" rel="nofollow - zravkapt
COLLABORATOR Post Rock Team
Can's most well known album but it is not their best and is very inconsistent. This is not the
place to start with these guys; check out Future Days or Ege Bamyasi first. Having said that,
this still has the band's best three songs: "Paperhouse", "Mushroom" and "Oh Yeah"....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=25551" rel="nofollow - snobb SPECIAL COLLABORATOR ZART & JR/F Team
This album is possibly most popular Can release ever and at the same time very
controversially rated one. Long monotonous and very psychedelic compositions with unusual
(almost African) drumming, very simplified music and freaky vocals- all that can attract of shock
listener, depending on your taste...http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=23820" rel="nofollow - The Truth ...Didn't like it the first time? Give it another spin, you'll be hypnotized!4 stars, possible five star canidate, will have to give more listens. http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=18844" rel="nofollow - colorofmoney91
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=1502" rel="nofollow - Man With Hat
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=17723" rel="nofollow - Warthur PROG REVIEWER
Damo Suzuki's first full studio album with CAN is also the group's most diverse and startling
work....
http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=10141" rel="nofollow - jalas
This album is loads of fun. It's one of those that I like to listen to when I'm doing other
things, whether it be driving, chores, homework ect... It's one of the things that I love about
this album. I can multitask if I want. Not that the music is so simple that it doesn't distract
me. If I decide that I want to LISTEN to this album, I will trip out. On the other hand, it
makes for a good soundtrack for living life.http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=18649" rel="nofollow - toroddfuglesteg ...I find this album hypnotic and great. I am probably under the spell of Tago Mago. Sometimes,
primitive is great and this album is indeed a great album. A couple of barn stormers is missing, but
this album still deserve it's status. I would urge everyone to at least check out Tago Mago....http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=25731" rel="nofollow - EatThatPhonebook PROG REVIEWER
10/10 More than forty years later, 'Tago Mago' still sounds alien. Can are one of the most praised Krautrock bands ever-if not the most praised-; their uniqueness is timeless, their originality is unbeatable, and their influence on following bands was, and is, massive. Even though among fans and critics there is controversy regarding which of their opuses is the greatest, 'Tago Mago' is the LP that is most loved and the most known of the band. Indeed, 'Tago Mago' is one of the great albums of Rock music ... Tago Mago' is a landmark album in music history, an LP that redefined the word 'Experimental' and Ambition. An essential piece of art in anybody's music collection, one of those albums no one can live without, after having experienced it. ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Replies:
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 12:59
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I think it is one of the few albums out there that really went beyond what the original rock mould had to offer. If I could give it 6 stars I would. I have the same feelings towards Future Days, but for entirely different reasons though. This one is a true artistic statement imo - even if the word artistic kind of rubs me off in the wrong way. This is one of those occasions, where I feel it is deserved. Genuine sonic art! ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:04
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For me, it's about as strong a 4 as strong fours can be. 5 of the 7 songs are perfect or near-perfect. The only ones that slightly underwhelm me are "Mushroom" and "Peking O". Bringing it down ever so slightly to a very very strong 4. Now watch all the replies, "HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE MUSHROOM OMG". Please relax. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:05
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I hope this kind of poll turns into a series, by the way. This could be fun.
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:06
HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE MUSHROOM OMG!!!!!! ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:06
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I should have seen that coming. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:13
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I stand by my three star rating so nicely quoted in your initial post. It's okay, a little meandering and could stand a bit of trimming, but is not without its moments of brilliance as well.
------------- 
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:16
I love those rare and beautiful moments where I get to use OMG, so thanks a million Steve... Regarding Tago Mago, am I the only one who gets a kick out of dancing to this little gem? I mean, the pile-driving rhythm section here is so funky and swaying that I literally can't help myself. Every time I put this on, I start jumping up and down like a mad graceful frog. On another note: Some of the statements in the reviews here make me question whether they actually listened to the album  I can understand why people may feel left out of the party, when popping on Aumg and Peking O, but Oh Yeah and Halleluhwah are just so funky and approachable. They are not hard to digest methinks. Both of them are really straight as an arrow - all down the line. That is of course my opinion... ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
HolyMoly wrote:Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:23
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3 stars (3.6 really). ------------- 
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Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:37
| I'm ashamed to say that I never heard this specific album. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:40
You should hear it, even though it is not their best album. It is an important landmark in music history though. I bought Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols yesterday for $5. Do you think I bought it because I liked it? Of course not! I bought it because my record collection would have a gaping hole in it without this album. -------------
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Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:55
Yeah I have a few gap fillers albums in my collection. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 13:58
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That gives me an idea for a new thread! (runs off to general music discussions) -------------
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 14:01
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 14:26
In some cases it may across that way more because of the way I inexpertly snipped (read hacked) reviews (sick at the moment, so didn't do a great job with it). I wouldn't be surprised if some people didn't listen to the album properly at all (may have heard excerpts or skipped through). I don't find it really bizarre, difficult, nor psychotic an album (yes Aumgn and Peking O would be harder for most, but the rest, including Mushroom, would be easier-going), and find some of the comments strange, but I often find that in reviews. People hear with such different ears. And I also find the album very danceable -- some great groove. And despite the length of the album, it doesn't really feel long to me (nd I love (and unlike some others, I enjoy repetition in music (as well as bluesy, funky, jammy music). Holy Moly: I was thinking about doing a series (be nice if others would do albums). My plan was to do Tangerine Dream's Zeit next as it is another that has divided opinion, and I love. By thw way, the llama, I genuinely like Never Mind the Bollocks (course Tago Mago has been listed amongst Johnny Rotten's favourite albums). ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 14:28
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^I have only listened to it once, but I liked about half of the songs. I am sure it will grow on me as I give it more time.
-------------
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Posted By: MFP
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 14:30
| 5 stars. One of my favorite albums of all time. |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 14:39
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5 stars and in my opinion CAN's best. And what about Mushroom ! OMG !! ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 15:55
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My review pretty much says it all IMO. On my personal scale 4-4.5 (pretty much due to Halleluwah), but it is the perfect representation of Kruatrock. And when it's good, its pure magic (the last three songs are what I"m thinking of here...Paperhouse and Oh Yeah are quite lovely too) ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Pekka
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 16:09
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Five stars, my favourite Can album. Actually I'm listening to Can right now, The Lost Tapes, so this poll caught me at a good time! ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=42652" rel="nofollow - It's on PA! 
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 17:35
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Six stars, at least.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Fox On The Rocks
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 17:43
A good 4.5, maybe a pure 5 for it's historical and influential significance. The one and only that's for sure - groundbreaking. The album grows on you, well at least from my experience; I actually enjoy Aumgn now!  ------------- 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 17:45
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I was looking into the low ratings by users earlier and found (the ones I checked) that they were made by people who are not in Krautrock (with the rating without reviews, people who voted lots of Krautrock albums a one, only rated a couple with a one, or only rated that album in Krautrock). Although it may divide opinion generally somwhat, amongst those who are into Krautrock generally it seems a very highly regarded album. There are few negative ratings only, but lots of 5 stars. I have a question for the so-far silent voter who gave it a one in this poll: Do you like other albums listed in Krautrock? What are your favourite bands and categories in PA? I really do hope to hear from those who love and loathe it (I don't mind criticism of bands/ albums I love). ------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 17:53
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I haven't listened to it in a while, but i remember rating it like a high 4*, borderline 5. Great stuff. I love Bring Me Coffee or Tea.
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Posted By: Alitare
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 17:58
| Can, in general, isn't my kind of music. I feel similarly toward Amon Dull II - that being said, I'd rate Tago Mago terribly low ****/*****, almost a 3. |
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 18:13
| Awesome groove music with a mellow side to calm you down from grooving so hard. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 18:14
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100% classic, and the best album in the world when I'm drunk. 5/5 would Tago again |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 18:16
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I think the first half is some of the most consistently good and fascinating Karautrock music recorded - brimming with energy, invention and psychedelic groove! Then for me it just falls apart with the arrival of Aumgn and Peking O, two plodding, inane chunks of chaotic noise! Reminds me of that long-winded track on the first side of Egg's `The Polite Force' (forget what it's called) that seems like pure filler. These tracks are worth listening to once, but never to return to again. But, man, the rest is a knockout! Still 4 stars. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 18:47
|
I may be very weird (who am I fooling? I am weird), but I actually love "Aumgn"and "Peking O" and don't hear
them at all as you do. I think one reason why I enjoyed "Aumgn"even on
first listen was because of my experience with musique concrete which
helps to prime the brain for such things. Glad you love the rest,
though!
------------- Just a fanboy passin' through. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 18:50
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Although I don't like the album as a whole all that much, I do find the second half much more enjoyable than the first. I think I am in the minority in that regard. Aumgn is quite enjoyable for me (but then, I like horrible noise in general)
-------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 18:56
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Haven't heard it. ------------- 
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 20:57
I need to try this, I don't know why it hasn't happened yet! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: mongofa
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 22:02
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The first Can song I ever heard was "Vitamin C". I didn't really see anything special in it. A few months later I heard "Paperhouse" and was blown away by it. I bought the album, and at first I only listened to the drums and nothing else. I gradually began liking everything about the the album and the band. I gave it 5 stars. ------------- 
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Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 22:20
| In terms of my enjoying the record, a two. In terms of essence to prog, ... I don't know if it's important to prog, and if yes, than how. |
Posted By: Eria Tarka
Date Posted: October 11 2012 at 22:57
| I gave it 4 stars, I really prefer Future Days. |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 01:00
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I gave it a 3. I still don't "get" it. Maybe some day. (Zeit, on the other hand, I give at least 4, maybe 5) ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 04:15
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Tago Mago obviously trancends something as banal as a rating scale but I still pressed the five star. ------------- 
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Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 12:14
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4.75 stars. Peking O still doesn't do it for me as much as it should (and I love such sillyness), but the rest is stellar. Especially 'Mushroom' and 'Halleluwah' which have been on repeat in my mind the last week! ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! http://www.last.fm/music/Exerior" rel="nofollow - EXERIOR Experimental tech/death/progmetal from Norway! |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 12:24
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I gave it two. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 12:29
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3 - I think is both very fun ( in a possitive way) and sometimes even brilliant - but i cant say its blowing my mind all the way.
------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 13:27
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Though I have not entered it, I rate it a mere two stars. The only song on it I can enjoy with any regularity is Aumgn. The previous four tracks I got into for a while, but their appeal wore out on me. The two tracks afterwards, especially Peking O are little more than noise to me. This is one of those artists that I first heard about through Prog Archives and the positive reviews intrigued me enough to get this one album - among their highest rated here. It is also one of those albums which caused me to realize that not all highly rated albums on this site are to my liking. If this is the best Can can do, then I am no longer interested in them. Still, not a total waste of time. For Krautrock, I still prefer Amon Duul II. ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 13:57
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I like some Krautrock...... love Ash Ra Tempel.... Agitation Free ..... Neu! ...... but Can and Faust leave me looking for a bucket.... :( I feel the same about some of the loved RIO bands .... 5uus come to mind.... I guess I find myself looking for more structure in the music that I enjoy.... See my review for my reason I gave Tago Mago a 1 star rating. I think it is the only one I have given out so far out of approximately 400 ratings/review so I guess that it makes it unique anyways :) ------------- Prog On! |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 14:06
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Maybe some of you naysayers could enjoy Can in a hypnotic rock mode? Check out Mother Sky. Its the ultimate spacerock anthem. That's right. No better tune in the whole universe: -------------
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Posted By: MFP
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 17:39
^ QFT.
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Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 18:04
| ^ Did you mean "QED"? And I quite enjoy Monster Movie and Ege Bamyasi, but not this record. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 18:10
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Never heard it, and from the few samples of Can's music that I've heard, I'm not interested in changing that.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005  |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 18:14
^ You don't know what you are missing.  It's been said a number of times that every album by this band is different, and it is true. Interested in psych-rock? Experimental minimalism? Noise? Poppy grooves? Soft jazz minimalism? You got it.
|
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: October 12 2012 at 18:30
QFT = Quoted For Truth -------------
|
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 01:44
Thats pretty much a no on every account then. From what I've heard I'd say there's too much noise and dull, drawn out, repetetive sections that go on for far too long. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 |
Posted By: 2dogs
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 02:31
|
The first time I heard "Delay 1968" and "Monster Movie", from a friend in the early 80s, being heavily into the Stooges, MC5, Hawkwind and Sabbath, my immediate reaction was "This is just what I have been looking for". "Tago Mago" however was another thing entirely, as with subsequent Can albums there was one track that grabbed me ("Mushroom") but the rest were just too alien and did nothing for me. There's been some strange quality about it though that's drawn me back over the years to have another go, and one at a time the tracks have gradually made sense. I find the trick with "Aumgn" and "Peking O" is to listen intently to the sounds through headphones and drop any feelings of dislike that may arise, it's a sort of meditation exercise. "Bring me Coffee or Tea" (as opposed to drugs or alcohol) is the reward for getting through it all with mind still intact and a gentle return to normality. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 00:28
| I think it's interesting how many people praise "Halleluwah" where Damo sounds like he is rapping. Who likes rap here? |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 01:12
A lot of that track sounds like it's got hip-hop beats too! Or maybe it's just me?!  Perhaps that's one of the reasons it's so loved...the album "transcends genres" or something.... 
|
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 01:29
(I couldn't resist
 ) Always thought Tago Mago has a PERFECT record 1, and a 'difficult' record 2 - love the album heaps anyway. And Ege Bamyasi, and Future Days, and Babaluma, and Landed....................and Saw Delight, and Out of Reach (now watch all the replies "OMG - HOW CAN YOU LIKE OUT OF REACH"............
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 01:45
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Tom, from what I remember (haven't heard it in a while) I also enjoy Out of Reach. Quite frankly, I get some level of enjoyment out of every Can album I've heard (and that includes almost all of them thanks to Spotify/Grooveshark/etc...) but not to quite the same level as Tago Mago and the other early albums.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 02:00
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Posted By: The Bearded Bard
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 16:16
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5 stars (4.5 really). -------------  
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Posted By: Nash
Date Posted: October 15 2012 at 20:57
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one of the Krautrock essentials, no doubt about it. (was also the first krautrock album ive ever heard, an style i really love) im between de 4 and 5 stars, maket a 4,5 stars, rounded to 5 in the poll ------------- http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/sydbarrettg.jpg/" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: October 16 2012 at 07:44
There is a lot of really good rap out there |
Posted By: geneyesontle
Date Posted: November 18 2012 at 20:02
|
How CAN you not like the fat groove of Halleluwah. But if you are new to prog, avoid Aumgn and Peking O. ------------- Poseidon wants to Acquire the Taste of the Fragile Lamb - Derek Adrian Gabriel Anderson, singer of the band Geneyesontle |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 18 2012 at 20:07
| I'm not new to prog, and, funny enough, the two tracks you've just mentioned are my "favorites" off of that album. Also, in all due honesty, I don't hear anything fat in that groove. |