1972 ORIG AMON DUUL 2 BABYLON PROG PSYCH KRAUTROCK

$

29

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1972 US Original ~ KRAUTROCK PROG PSYCH CLASSIC !                    

                  AMON DUUL II

            Carnival In Babylon

                           ...USA - United Artists - UAS 5586 

Original ((advanced released promotional)) US pressing of 1971 Lp in thick gatefold cover... 

As the 60's melded into the 70s, Amon Düül II put away their lengthy, side-long improvisations and the meandering psychedelic madness that flowed from their previous albums. Carnival in Babylon saw them with tighter musicianship and, for the most part, following standard rock song structures and length. Despite these concessions to accessibility, however, one still couldn't really call the band conventional at this point. Their brand of psych-rock looked to the West Coast for inspiration, and seems particularly to fit in nicely as across-the-Atlantic companion pieces to the peak acid-laced forrays by Jefferson Airplane albums: layered acoustic and electric guitars; a distinctive lead woman vocalist playing off male vocals; and the free-spirited, cryptic lyrics that were the currency of the counterculture.

All of the songs on this album have something to offer. A favorite is "All the Years 'Round," led by the aforementioned lady lead, Renate Knaup. The song's verses sound almost like Knaup is submerged in fog or waking up from a dream. There is some fantastic lyrical imagery: "At the circus they were waiting/for a splendid slot machine/ which could turn wine into water/and reality into a dream." In the final moments, however, the song shifts gear into a great, electric jam centered around a simple, ascending E-minor scale. "Kronwinkl" is also built around strong riffing, this time in a 9-beat, and has some more playfully odd lyrics ("Taking the cake means baking your own time"). "Tables are Turned" is another strong point of the album, an acoustic song that puts the listener on safer footing with its gentle, tuneful atmosphere. "Hawknose Harlequin," the final track, comes closest to the looseness that harkens back to the earlier albums, seemingly cobbled together from three different ideas. The first section has vocals, apparently recounting the legend of the title character. This leads into the middle section, a mellow, legato jam that would not have been out of place on Pink Floyd circa Meddle or Dark Side of the Moon Finally, in the last third of the song, the band disconnect the fuel rockets and jump into the stars never to return, with a more laid back jam characterized by echoing lead guitar and glistening organ.

Renate Knaup is easily the band's best bet in the vocal department, though even hers are still an acquired taste, with often piercing intonations that are like the German equivalent of the Incredible String Band's Licorice McKhenie. Carnival In Babylon finds the band the band rolling up their sleeves and slapping a lot of energy in between these vinyl grooves. An enjoyable German psych artifact, and one that tends to get looked over for the next album in the Amon Duul 2 discography, Wolf City, though it's probably just as good.

1.  C.I.D. In Uruk — 5:39
2.  All the Years ‘Round — 7:25
3.  Ballad of the Shimmering Sand — 6:37
4.  Kronwinkl 12 — 3:54
5.  Tables Are Turned — 3:38
6.  Hawknose Harlequin — 9:53

CONDITION: The cover: the gatefold cover has no split seams, some very light shelf wear starting, promotional stamp at right corner, and some handling creases, VG(+) 

The vinyl: all shiny and clean "EX" (excellent) ...plays sweet from start to finish... 

keeper!

     A  GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

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EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record