Can – Soundtracks (Clear Purple Vinyl)

Soundtracks is a fascinating artifact in Can’s evolution, revealing the band’s shift from psychedelic rock toward a more experimental and ambient sensibility. As a compilation of music composed for films between late 1969 and mid‑1970, it bridges the raw immediacy of their early work and the abstract innovations of albums like Tago Mago. Damo Suzuki’s debut on “Don’t Turn the Light On, Leave Me Alone” marks a turning point in their vocal approach, while tracks like “She Brings the Rain” and “Mother Sky” exemplify their willingness to expand both lyrical and instrumental textures.

This album’s uneven palette ultimately becomes one of its strengths: moments of intensity and melodic beauty coexist with atmospheric detours, resulting in an unpredictable yet immersive listening experience. The cinematic context gives the songs a fluid, evocative quality that stands out in Can’s discography—previewing the more fully realised experiments to come while preserving a raw creative energy.

Reviews

"Strange beast of a record that appear[s] directionless, but has some absolutely sublime moments" – Stylus Magazine Nick Southall 

"Has an intensity matching anything on the debut" – Pitchfork Dominique Leone 

"The dichotomy between the two singers is readily apparent: Suzuki’s odd, strangulated vocals fit far more comfortably into the group’s increasingly intricate and subtle sound, allowing for greater variation than Mooney’s stream‑of‑consciousness discourse" – AllMusic Jason Ankeny