YETI

It's time for dinner! Today, some freshly picked mushrooms. Yum! Amon Duul II is a band that's part of the experimental German movement that began in the late 60's, making experimental and psychedelic music rather than popular schlagers. The sound that Amon Duul II created on Yeti is very psychedelic, perhaps comparable to that of early Pink Floyd, though it has a more eclectic feel with some eastern touches now and then.

The album makes its striking entry with the suite "Soap Shop Rock", which might very well be the absolute highlight of the album. The music here is very dynamic, moving from a heavy rocker to somewhat more spacey and back again. Also, notable are the vocals of Renate Knaup, who delivers some lovely operatic vocals here. Renate's vocals are just as outstanding on the track "Archangels Thunderbird", a guitar driven rocker on which her somewhat harsh vocals really shine. Apart from "Archangels Thunderbird" there are more shorter pieces to be found on the album, such as the folky "Cerberus"; the brief but fierce "The Return Of Ruebezahl"; and the intense "Eye-Shaking King", featuring distorted vocals and having an overall very dynamic feel. It's tough to say much negative about this pieces actually, despite that none of them quite reaches the utter brilliance of "Soap Shop Rock".

The second part of the album consists out of three improvisations. This is where the opening line of this review really makes sense. Tedious, aimless and dull, or perhaps atmospheric, interesting and soaring? I can't guarantee you which is the right option, as that all comes down to taste. Personally I enjoy all three of the improvisations, of which I probably find "Yeti Talks To Yogi" to be the most interesting. They are wonderful soundscapes, not all too dynamic but certainly not lacking any energy. Also, these improvisations convince me of the abilities of the band, as the band truly acts like one in these pieces, rather than a group of musicians living on their own islands.

Yeti is an excellent album, though it might take a while before it grows on you. I don't consider it to be a masterpiece, though it's only a very thin hair away from that title. So, in the end I'm going to give it four stars, though perhaps four and a half might suit it better. Yeti might appeal to those who enjoy experimental and psychedelic music, and aren't scared away by the length of the improvisational pieces.