UTOPIA

Often listed as an Amon Düül II album, this project got more ties with the fusion band Passport then with Amon Düül II. Of course, the ADII nucleus of Karrer, Weinzierl and Knaup are all making guest appearances, but from the regular Utopia line-up only Lothar Meid (original Passport member) has some ADII credibility.

ADII had turned into more commercial directions since Lothar Meid joined for Wolf City and it's a direction that is also evident here. All songs would fit nicely on either Wolf City or the ensuing Vive La Trance, and most of them are rather art-rockish and flat in terms of quality. Generally the material sits somewhere inbetween Hawkwind's Amazing Stories and Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. It's only where the band takes a jazzier direction that the album has a few enjoyable moments, such as the Gong-alike Utopia No1 and Nucleus-alike Jazz Kiste.

A faceless album that is only worth seeking out if you are a huge fan of ADII's Vive La Trance and Hijack albums. Compared to the real AD II masterpieces, this easily flowing art-rock is quite a step down.