The band expands to admit bassist Rosko Gee and percussionist Reebop, both recently in Traffic. And though the band is still recording at Inner Space (the cinema in Weilerswist), they are once again mixing the final product at a “real” studio with outside help. (In this case, Manfred Schunke mixed it in 3D “Artificial Head Stereo,” which is some sort of spatialized approach that kind of works? Sort of.) The band is re-energized with the new members and the whole thing has a nicely serious feel, as if everyone has shown up again to get the job done. As is the case with Can in almost every instance, the longest track is the best: “Animal Waves,” driven by a sweet Jaki/Rosko/Reebop beat and gives Michale Karoli room to go nuts on the electric violin, which should have happened more often! It also has a vocal flown in by Czukay from who knows where, more than a little like “Boat Woman Song” on Canaxis.

– Sasha Frere-Jones