Yeti
After enjoying Amon Düül ii’s Phallus Dei a month ago, I was looking forward to their second album, a double, from April 1970. Now that I’ve listened to it, I’m less keen.
It’s very Germanic, and somewhat relentless, but it also has a dated quality. The problem with being musicians in a Munich commune dedicated to radical art and politics is that, if you’re not careful, your records will sound like the soundtrack to a Munich commune dedicated to radical art and politics. It’s great from the inside, but less so from the outside.
This is a band that, when faced with the death of their soundman Wolfgang Krischke, of hypothermia while tripping on LSD, thought it would be a great idea to use a photograph of him in the guise of the grim reaper on the LP sleeve as a tribute. Far out.
That’s not to say it is a bad album, and the second time through I felt a lot better disposed towards it but, whereas I might buy Phallus Dei, I’m not so inclined towards Yeti. They’re swimming in the same pond as early Hawkwind, but Hawkwind were more focused. Sides 3 nd 4 of the album are improvisations and get wearing if you’re sober and alert–this is really music for stoners to zone out to, and the genuinely interesting bits get lost in the fug. With brutal editing, there’s probably a really good album in there.
I’m glad I listened to it but, although I know it is well regarded by fans of the band, I got bored and I’m not really inclined to give it any more time. Your mileage, as always, may vary.
Spotify, as (almost) always. The full album is also on YouTube.
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