DIE LÖSUNG

This album is interesting mainly because of the guest appearances. It includes Bob Calvert from Hawkwind and Ed and Joie from Ozric Tentacles amongst others. It starts off with some nice catchy songs (Big Wheel and Urban Indian). The music is slightly psychedelic with repeating patterns that give a trance-like effect.

Drawn to the Flame gets a bit repetitive, particularly when it comes round a second time as Drawn to the Flame part 2. As this is the final track, I stop the CD before part 2 starts.

Overall, a pleasant rythmic psychedelic-like album that will be of particular interest to fans of the guest musicians. A good album but not essential.

Fun to funky

The history of Amon Duul and Amon Duul II is one of the most confused in all prog. Essentially, there are two separate bands with the name Amon Duul. The first Amon Duul split almost instantaneously, with one faction retaining the name and the other using the name Amon Duul II. Some time later, Amon Duul II members John Weinzierl and Dave Anderson left that band, forming a new band called Amon Duul, who in reality are Amon Duul 3. It is this British version of the band who recorded this album in 1989.

"Die losung" ("The solution") is the third album released by this version of Amon Duul, and arguably the most interesting. The members include Guy Evans, the drummer with the classic Van Der Graaf generator line up plus a couple of Ozric Tentacles members. Of even greater interest though is the presence of the late Robert Calvert of Hawkwind, who provides the lyrics and lead vocals.

The music here is generally more accessible that that of the other Amon Duul configurations, with strong melodies and choruses. Calvert's vocals are slightly distorted and sometimes multi-tracked. Instrumentally, it is the guitar of John Weinzierl and the synth of Joie Hinton which dominates, with both contributing fine performances.

The opening "Big wheel" has all the ingredients of a potential single for the 1980's, with hints of bands such as Japan, Talk Talk, the Human League and even a bit of Bowie. "Adrenalin rush" moves into Billy Idol territories, with passing similarities to "Rebel yell" and songs of that ilk. The song, which once again has single potential, includes a superb but all too brief guitar break. "Visions of fire" reminds me of Bowie's "Ashes to ashes", even down to the accented vocals, here though the guitar solo is allowed to develop far more satisfactorily.

The feature track is the 8 minute "Drawn to the flame", where Calvert's vocals are supported by Julie Wareing. Calvert's slightly off key delivery suits this pulsating piece perfectly The song is allowed to develop through a more intricate structure into something of an epic. Wareing assumes the role of lead vocalist for two remaining tracks, giving those songs a different feel to the rest of the album. The 80's atmosphere remains, but the tracks seem even more straightforward and commercial. That said, "They call it home" has some good riffs generating a fine overall sound.

The song sometimes entitled "Drawn to the flame part 2" is in fact simply an alternative version of "Drawn to the flame". There are significant differences in the two versions though, this rendition resisting the temptation to lift the tempo for much longer.

In all, while those seeking the difficult prog of Amon Duul/Amon Duul II's early years will have to look elsewhere, this is something of a lost gem. Not only do we get some of Robert Calvert's most accessible work, we also find a collection of well crafted pop prog. Those wishing to acquire this now rare album will be pleased to learn that it is included in its entirety on the Retro Gold budget compilation entitled "Anthology of Cosmic Music".

This was the last studio album from AMON DUUL UK. It features as usual the original AMON DUUL II pair of Dave Anderson and John Weinzierl also known as Hawk and Penguin. Again like on "Fool Moon" Robert Calvert is here on vocals along with Julie Wareing. Guy Evans is again on drums and for the first time we get the OZRIC TENTACLES duo of Joie Hinton and Ed Wynne helping out on synths and guitar. The first thing I noticed with this album is how different it is from the previous ones. I would never had guessed this was AMON DUUL UK. It's a very straight forward album with little in the way of progressive moments. It was released in 1989 and it is very eighties sounding. Funny how I never heard this album before but when listening to it i'm taken back to this period of time.Calvert doesn't sound much like himself here, he sounds more like a cross between the singers for BLUE RODEO, REM and CHALK CIRCLE from this time period.The music is catchy and enjoyable but I miss those experimental and freakish moments.This is FM music for the masses really.

"Big Wheel" is a straight forward tune with vocals and some outbursts of guitar. Synths also come and go. It's funny listening to Calvert's vocal style and the music here because it's like a flashback in time for me. "Urban Indian" has some heavier guitar as the vocals join in. A good rhythm late to end it. "Adrenalin Rush" has almost a country vibe to it. The tempo picks up on the chorus. A ripping guitar solo starts before 3 1/2 minutes.

"Visions Of Fire" has a bit of a reggae flavour. Nice guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Drawn To The Flame Pt.1" sounds great when the tempo picks up before a minute. Synths are a nice touch as well. It settles back then kicks in again at 6 minutes. Nice. "They Call It Home" opens with what sounds like an electrical hum then it kicks in. Female vocals this time before 1 1/2 minutes. "Die Losung" has both female vocals and male spoken words in this uptempo track. "Drawn To The Flame Pt.2" is much like Part 1 really but it stays mid paced until after 5 1/2 minutes when the tempo picks up.

This is still a good album but if you want to hear AMON DUUL UK i'd go with either "Hawk Meets Penguin" or "Fool Moon".