•
Versione 1
Rating:
The Amon Duul II, the legendary Kraut-Rock band formed after the split from Amon Duul (originally a politicized hippie commune), created a powerful and hallucinogenic trilogy between 1969 and 1971, consisting of the rough gem "Phallus Dei" and the timeless masterpieces "Yeti" and "Tanz Der Lemminge". The sonic maelstrom of psychedelia, avant-garde, gothic, and luciferian atmospheres remains something unique and unparalleled to this day, captivating musicians like Julian Cope, as noted in his "visionary" book "Krautrocksampler". The Amon Duul II absorbed the lessons of American psychedelia from bands like Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Grateful Dead, filtering it through their Teutonic culture. Their music exudes a "Wagnerian" and apocalyptic atmosphere akin to the "Ride of the Valkyries". The group included many collaborators but was centered on inspired minds such as multi-instrumentalist Chris Karrer (guitar, violin, and sax), guitarist John Weinzierl, organist Falk Rogner, and drummer Peter Leopold.
After the aforementioned "masterpiece trilogy," the group released "Carnival In Babylon" in 1972. It is definitely a more subdued and controlled album, less wild and creative, which at the time led some to cry betrayal. It was said to be a significant step back, but upon re-listening, this judgment sounds harsh. They indeed lost the improvisational attitude and the cosmic and lysergic rides, but this led to greater structure and accessibility. "Carnival In Babylon" certainly showcases the great musical cohesion achieved by Amon Duul II and it's no coincidence that the album is among the favorites of progressive music lovers. For this occasion, the lineup included Weinzierl, Karrer, Leopold, bassist Lothar Meid, and keyboardist Klaus Hausman. The skilled singer Renate Knaup-Krotenschwartz had more space and percussionist Danny Fichelscher made his appearance, who would later also join Popol Vuh as a guitarist.
The opening track "C.I.D. In Uruk" is an acidic and melancholic psychedelic ballad painting mythical scenarios. The following "All The Years ‘Round" is one of their best songs, earning Amon Duul II the nickname "the black Jefferson Airplane". Renate Knaup's voice is unmistakable, lending a personal and almost dramatic aura while emphasizing the interplay of the two guitars. "Shimmering Sands" is another compelling track featuring perfect interplay among the musicians. The keyboards and sax (evoking Van Der Graaf! I've always been intrigued that both groups addressed the topic of Lemmings, interpreting it as a metaphor for human self-destruction) provide a very prog sound. "Kronwinkl 12" is a short composition highlighting Chris Karrer's guitar talent, followed by "Tables Are Turned," with its acoustic, folk, and West Coast-sounding elements. The long and sinister "Hawknose Harlequin" closes the album: it's a return to the visionary nightmares of the beginnings and will surely appeal to those who adored the early works of Amon Duul II. It starts mellow, with a reciting voice accompanied by the Arabic-like sounds of the violin and keyboards. In the latter instrumental part, the music becomes liquid, surreal, and psychedelic, reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive" and the improvisations of "Yeti" and "Yeti Talks To Yogi". Truly a great acid trip that brings out the mystical animal hidden within us.
In conclusion, "Carnival In Babylon," along with the subsequent and equally valid "Wolf City," features prominently in Amon Duul II's discography. The first signs of decline would later become evident with "Vive la Trance". Today, the group is still alive and active, confirming a regained inspiration.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 C.I.D. in Uruk (05:36)
Der Wurstplanet vertieft im Gebet mit Jesus
Wirkt sehr verstört ohne TV
Er glaubt die Blindheit gibt es erst seit Krösus
Und funkt gedankenlos sein Alibi
Ede möchte gerne frisches Riechsalz vermessen
Und sein Werkzeug bleibt sein bestes Argument
Leider hat er seine Ganglien in Uruk vergessen
Und er bemerkt er trägt sein allerletzes Hemd
Ein Senfgewehr zielt bedrohlich auf die Priesterreihe
Maschinen im Labor bereiten ihre Priesterweihe
Und Nachbarsekten essen
Thunfischflossen
Roh
Im Klo
Bärtige Weise schweben im All
Sie singen und tanzen
Und gestern und morgen vernebelt im Kral
Gehört nun den Wanzen
Ohne Grund jubelnd geh'n sie nach oben
Auf dem Weg ohne Boden
Weder Traum noch Idee berührt die Gedanken
Und plötzlich sie schwanken
02 All the Years 'Round (07:23)
At first I saw them
In the bright morning light
A milestone on their shoulders
A horse at their side
A horse they came over
From the land of constant fight
At the corner they were waiting
For a winner of their size
Nut the managers were taking over
The profession of disguise
And they went into a rainbow
And they lived there for many years
Till one day they tried to go
But burning was their gear
Are you waiting for the take-off
Are you waiting for the show
No winner will be coming
You really should know
Neo-Nazi doom advisors sticking in the mud
While Hindustanian horses refuse a haircut
Windswept children running wild on the land
Lonely tele-typers ticking in Tschaikowsky's tent
Pig-pink-coloured ministers are ready to drop
They cut down all the flowers on the way to the top
While frogmen encircle the Zig-Zag Cinema
And salvation's sisters enter the Turkish Opera
Pudding-face publicity promoters call
For a sign on the invisible wall
While prophets drive past on compressed air
And caravans of cameras do not care
The boomerang battery bands-man on his sphinx-like bike
Is mostly from Saturday to Sunday on strike
While formulas go to pieces close at the ground
On their way down the hill all the years' round
Later I saw them
In a rusty limousine
A guitar on their shoulder
To leave the golden mean
Where the cleric is a clown
And the colours are clean
At the corner they were waiting
For a splendid slot machine
Which could change wine into water
And reality into a dream
04 Kronwinkl 12 (03:54)
Wake up get up
Smoke a cigarette
Read the paper
Going back to bed
Sky is grey
And lamp is shining red
Chick from last night
Still lying in bed
Though I know
Society is dead brain
I start thinking in circles
Following their games
I need informations
Leaving that formation
Feel busy
I feel temptation
My steady hesitation
Makes me dizzy
It's half past four
And everybody's gone
Big house is empty
And I don't feel at home
Depression starts
To catch my brain
Dope-religion
Know everything's in vain
Though I know
Feel the longings of my heart
I did learn
How to play my part
I always try not t olose
The freedom of my mind
Taking the cake means baking your own tart
05 Tables Are Turned (03:37)
Above your head
Church bells explode
And you jump over fountains
And you don't see
The birds in the trees
They have all turned to the mountains
There is a snake in your bathroom
And a tiger at your door
And if you open up the mailbox
Locusts fall on the floor, on the floor
But in your eyes
I see a sunbeam
Like the rising sun of dawn
On your finger's a ring of crystal
Like the cry of a flying swan
In your right hand nothing more is left than a shadow
In your left hand you hold a letter from the girl on the road
There is a tree in your bathroom
And a friend at your door
And if you open up the mailbox
Stars fall on the floor, fall on the floor
06 Hawknose Harlequin (09:50)
I heard about
A place they call Blind Square
In the middle
Of prophesied land
Surrounded by
A wall of mirrors
Two hundred feet high
And transparent
I tried very hard
To reach there
On a camel
I saved from a cook's sneer
After seventy days
And seventy nights
I finally arrived
At the corners of Blind Square
A collection of clouds
At the reception
The egg-eyed doorman
Was serving a blink
Two ravens on his shoulder
He whispered:
Don't run so fast
If you want to see anything
I passed
The wizard's wonky blizzards
When a phone box
Came sailing though the air
And a zebra
Walked in to Blind Square
Reciting loudly
The whole alphabet
Hope you can see me
Here in my barrel
The governor
Of the Blind Square District
Came rolling along
In slow-motion pictures
Handing me a form-sheet
And Shakespeare's pen
I fell asleep
In the waterfall museum
And I heard the songs
Of the seven Sirens
I saw the children
They forgot their names
Playing all day long
On the wings of a crane
And the colour-blind legends
Were melting
In the heat of the sun, the heat of the sun
When Hawknose Harlequin came
And told me something
About the children's gun
Smiling in his wheelchair
On the stairs of Blind Square
Loading comments slowly
