THE UA YEARS: 1969-1974

Psychedelic Kraut-rock legends Amon Duul II were gifted experimentalists at heart, and this compilation is the best place to start for prog rock fans in search of something different. Reminscent of the late 60´s post-Barrett Pink Floyd, most of the band´s best songs are found here: from the hard rockin' "Archangel Thunderbird", to the psychedelic epic "Surrounded by the Stars". Perhaps the most refreshing part of listening to Amon Duul II is their sense of humor, a characteristic often lacking in prog rock. These guys were smart, twisted and lots of fun.

Amon Duul II as a singles band? You better believe it! This album might make the case for the best psychedelic band you are ever going to hear with their powerful riffing blurring into indefinite textures and explorations. In some respects, I'm reminded of Jefferson Airplane's great compilation 'The Worst of JA' in that both albums reveal the commercial strengths of bands which were psychedelic to the core, initially at least. Amon Duul II,IMHO, were a much more challenging band which through their drugged haze seem to have much more linear strength in their compositions. And more progressive by nature. Probably a more accurate comparison would be to 'Saucerful of Secrets' era Floyd with experimental and kaleidoscopic instrumental color; but here again Amon Duul II were a more rocking band and for this reason I feel they were able travel deeper into their sonic explorations, which conjure up some kind of jeweled, crazed drifts into sonic netherworlds and leave the listener deliriously acid - fried after traveling through time, space, and dimension!