Search - Can :: Rite Time (Hybr)

Allways Rite Time for CAN

gerold firl | san diego california | 08/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rite Time was a reunion party for Can, 10 years after their release of Can (by Can) in 1979 and subsequent breakup. Moreover, it came some 20 years after the departure of their first vocalist, Malcolm Mooney, the African-American sculptor-turned-crooner. Can seemed to have a way of driving their vocalists crazy; Mooney took 20 years to get over his nervous breakdown, and his successor, Damo Suzuki, sought solace in the Jehovah's Witness Watchtower after his Cantime.



But Rite Time was no trip down memory lane. It's a brilliant synthesis of their musical journey, and towered over other musical releases in 1989 - only NIN's Pretty Hate Machine could compare in terms of innovation and creativity.



Rite Time does reflect a more mature take on the Can experience. There are none of the crazy, experimental, atonal/random aural assault themes in this album. There are three certifiably great songs, however: Withoutlaw Man, Hoolah Hoolah, and Give the Drummer Some.



It's about time we give the drummer some, because Jaki Liebezeit is probably the greatest drummer you've never heard of. He was the heart of Can, and a truly brilliant percussive genius. Give Jaki some love! It's time - (Liebezeit means "love time" in German).



Rite Time is a bit more light hearted than most Can albums. Personally, I would have liked it better if we had Rebop and Rosko there to lay down some more layers on the beats, but Holger does fine here.



This is a great album, and highly recommended even for non-Can-fanatics."