Artist: Canned Heat Album: Future Blues

Year: 1970
Duration: 0:0-1

Future Blues by Canned Heat: A Critical Review and Brief History of the Band

Canned Heat is an American blues rock band that has managed to achieve a lot of success since the 1960s. The band is known for its high energy live performances and catchy music. One of their most popular albums is Future Blues, which was released in 1970. Future Blues was a turning point for the band, as it marked a change in style from their earlier work. In this blog post, we will review the album, discuss the music genre, highlight the best songs of the album, and take a critical look at it.

History of Canned Heat:

Canned Heat was formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. The band's name came from a 1928 recording by Tommy Johnson, which was titled Canned Heat Blues. The group's original lineup consisted of Alan Wilson, Bob Hite, and Henry Vestine, with various musicians like drummer Adolfo Fito de la Parra, joining later. Canned Heat gained popularity in the late 1960s, with their energetic live shows and blues-infused rock music. The band has released many successful albums throughout the years, including Boogie with Canned Heat, Living the Blues, and of course, Future Blues.

Music Genre:

Future Blues is a blues rock album with hints of boogie, country, and even some psychedelic influences. The album showcased the band's versatility and willingness to experiment with different sounds. Canned Heat's music has always been rooted in traditional blues, but Future Blues saw them taking a more modern approach to the genre.

Best Songs:

The album opens with Sugar Bee, a fast-paced blues song that sets the tone for what's to come. Other standout tracks include Let's Work Together, My Time Ain't Long, and London Blues. Let's Work Together was a song that became a crossover hit for the band, reaching the top ten on the charts in the UK and other European countries.

Innovative Parts:

One of the most innovative parts of Future Blues is the use of horns on some of the songs, like London Blues. This was a new direction for the band, as they had never used horns in their music before. Additionally, Future Blues, the album's title track, is an instrumental that showcases the band's musical prowess and ability to craft complex arrangements.

Critique:

Critique:

While Future Blues is a fantastic album, there are a few weak points. The album's second half feels weaker compared to the first half, with some tracks feeling like filler. Additionally, some of the lyrics on the album can feel a bit cliché, like I'm Her Man and Let's Work Together. Despite these criticisms, Future Blues remains an enjoyable and essential album for any fan of Canned Heat or blues rock.

In conclusion, Future Blues is an album that showcases Canned Heat's ability to reinvent themselves while staying true to their roots. The album's mix of blues, boogie, and rock makes it a must-listen to for any fans of the genre. While it has its flaws, Future Blues is still an album that stands the test of time and proves that Canned Heat was one of the best blues rock bands to emerge from the 1960s.