WOLF CITY

At first glance, you probably noticed that the cover art does not represent a wolf, but a tiger... a winged tiger... Nonetheless, remember that words such as 'logic' and 'sense' do not exist in AMON DÜÜL II's strange parallel universe, and this album is one of its bright galaxy. After the uneven "Carnival in Babylon", "Wolf City" is the second "accessible" opus from the early period of the band (the best one). Despite shorter compositions, the music is more impacting and creative than on its predecessor, and reuses the psychedelic, heavy and spacey elements that made the first albums so original and lovable. The long jams are definitely gone, but the ideas, audaciousness and multiple faces of AMON DÜÜL II are still present, and that's the most important.

"Surrounded By The Stars" displays a dark haunting psychedelic atmosphere dominated by Renate Knaup's particular singing. "Green Bubbles Raincoated Man" is a soft acid ballad that contains a pre-punk passage in the style of late 70's HAWKWIND! AMON DÜÜL II, you'll always amaze me! The most surprising composition may however be "Jail-house Frog", various different ambiances and styles in only 5 minutes.

The floating title track sounds like a futuristic ritual, ahead of its time. Then comes "Wie Der Wind Am Ende Einer Strasse", a slight electronic calm Indian instrumental, letting the listener breathe before the thundering and trippy "Deutsch Nepal". The only regret concerning this "song" are the sentences pronounced by German actor Ralf Zacher, his tone sounding quite out of place. The folk middle-eastern rock "Sleepwalker's Timeless Bridge" is less remarkable, the only average track of the disc.

Again, as on "Carnival in Babylon", the music is certainly more conventional than on the first three albums, but don't forget this is AMON DÜÜL II, so the compositions still remains adventurous for the average listener. However, contrarily to its predecessor, the songs are much more convincing and memorable, and there are no true weak passages. In conclusion, "Wolf City" is a good balance between accessibility and originality, thus should by no means be rejected by pretending there are no long pieces anymore. This is no argument. The audaciousness and surprises are still here, and this opus is even a little avant-garde by moments.

The best album of early AMON DÜÜL II's second half, maybe the one to start with if you're too intimidated by the two mastodons "Yeti" and "Tanz der Lemminge", or by their experimental debut "Phallus Dei". Very recommended to fans of the band, psychedelic, space rock and, of course, krautrock!

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