TANZ DER LEMMINGE [AKA: DANCE OF THE LEMMINGS]

If you want to check out this amazing band you can't go wrong with any of their first three studio albums.This was released as a double album originally just like the "Yeti" album that came out before it. This double album had three side long suites with the final side (my favourite) being made up of three songs.The edition I have was remastered by Eroc at The Ranch. As usual he did an amazing job.The pictures in the liner notes of the band are priceless.The centerfold is especially cool as we are looking out the front window of a spaceship.

The first side is called "Syntelman's March Of The Roaring Seventies", it begins with "In The Glassgarden" a short song that is quite spacey until we start to get a beat. "Pull Down Your Mask" features acoustic guitar, bass, vocals, drums, electric guitar and violin. There is a dreamy, uplifting section that comes and goes during this song. "Prayer To Silence" is just over a minute of acoustic guitar and percussion. The final track of side one is "Telephonecomplex", it begins with organ, drums and guitar.The acoustic guitar sounds incredible.Vocals after 2 minutes.The bass is prominant, and the lyrics and vibe are psychedelic. The mood changes several times. Some nice piano arrives along with some aggressive guitar. Nice. Side two is called "Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child". It begins with "Landing In A Ditch" which is basically the same guitar melody playing over and over for about a minute. The next song "Dehypnotized Toothpaste" is the same style but with a different melody. "A Short Stop At The Transssylvanian Brain-Surgery" features sitar, guitar, vocals and drums that build. Dissonant sounds to end it. "Race From Here To Your Ears" is divided into three parts. "a) Little Tornadoes" has some amazing guitar in it. Where have you been ! The psychedelic vocals echo. "b)Overheated Tiara" has more fantastic guitar as violin comes in. "c)The Flyweighted Five" has a bit of a HAWKWIND feel to it to begin with. Good guitar and spacey sounds. "Riding On A Cloud" is a reserved song with gentle guitar, bass and vocals. "Paralized Paradise" is a really good song. It features acoustic guitar, speaking, bass and electric guitar 2 minutes in. "H.G.Wells Take Off" has some crazy vocals along with a heavy sound including bass.

The second album was titled "Chamsin Soundtrack", it began with the side long suite called "The Marilyn Monroe-Memorial-Church (Impro.)". This is very experimental and spacey. I feel like i'm lost in space listening to this 18 minute track. We get some marching style drums 9 minutes in and piano after 11 minutes and late. In between (14 min.) we get some loud and great drumming.This song is a trip. The final side starts with "Chewinggum Telegram" which really rocks out with drums and guitar.The guitar is outstanding. "Stumbling Over Melted Moonlight" opens with a heavy sound that builds.This is amazing ! I really like the way the guitar plays over top of the drum melody.The same style is on the final track called "Toxicological Whispering". More fantastic guitar ! What a way to end this incredible journey. I think this is my favourite AMON DUUL II record.