The Can Book

4 out of 5

Fletcher – Feb 12, 2022

I love Can too much to rate this less than infinity. Great book for any fan of can, with biographies of all members, a comprehensive timeline, commentary on both aspects of their creative process (live and in the studio), and photos galore.

4 out of 5

Melting Uncle – Jan 02, 2018

CAN is one of the best bands of the 1970's. As far as I know there isn’t any other book about Can so this is an important document featuring original research, interviews with the band, cool photos, etc. The narrative ends 30 years ago just after Rite Time but I guess Can didn’t really do much else after that right? In theory it would be nice some day to get a full-on 350 page biography but truthfully it sounds like for the most part they were just practicing 12 hours a day and playing 5 hour conc CAN is one of the best bands of the 1970's. As far as I know there isn’t any other book about Can so this is an important document featuring original research, interviews with the band, cool photos, etc. The narrative ends 30 years ago just after Rite Time but I guess Can didn’t really do much else after that right? In theory it would be nice some day to get a full-on 350 page biography but truthfully it sounds like for the most part they were just practicing 12 hours a day and playing 5 hour concerts. What more do you really need to know? Bring this back into print, you monsters. //Edit: A year after this review was written, the official CAN bio All Gates Open by Irmin Schimdt and Rob Young appeared. Also - Jaki Liebezeit: Life, Theory, and Practice of a Master Drummer edited by Jon Podmore is now available. but this CAN book was the first!

4 out of 5

Darran Mclaughlin – May 22, 2017

Unfortunately, a very bad book. Can deserve a much better book. It's just really badly written, broken up into short biographies of the members and a perfunctory chronological account of the years the band was in operation. It does nothing to convey the magic of that unique music. I only give it a second star because it inspired me to listen to loads of Can over the last few days. Unfortunately, a very bad book. Can deserve a much better book. It's just really badly written, broken up into short biographies of the members and a perfunctory chronological account of the years the band was in operation. It does nothing to convey the magic of that unique music. I only give it a second star because it inspired me to listen to loads of Can over the last few days.

5 out of 5

Jlawrence – Jun 06, 2007

Good book covering the fantastic krautrock band Can -- too short, but nonetheless filled with interviews and intriguing facts, and hints of rare recordings I will never, ever find.

4 out of 5

Terrorb – Oct 03, 2011

Interesting facts about a great band but written in quite a cold "matter of fact" way like a reference book and far too short to give it any more than 3 stars. Interesting facts about a great band but written in quite a cold "matter of fact" way like a reference book and far too short to give it any more than 3 stars.