Customer Reviews

Hijack

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This awesome record has only been released on disc once so pick it up ASAP! The band had changed company so this album differs from their previous work, most notably the cover art of Falk Rogner is absent. He does provide some nice synthesizer work and lyrics. All six band members contribute to the songwriting, but the big story here is the return of Lothar Meid...he's a great front-man, no virtuso, does'nt need to be, he's just cool! I love the way his voice sorta sneaks up on you as you walk down "suicide street" like the part of 'Sin City' where Cliff Williams bass sets a similar mood. Thats' one of my favorite AC/DC songs. Amon Duul would've done well to pursue a heavier sound, they certainly had the chops. There's alot to say about this album, it's both funny and scarry. It's mysterious and beautiful. Liquid Whisper features some of Renates' most angelic vocals. It should be noted that there are two different arrangements for this song, I have an American vinyl copy and this song is very different, the chorus is repeated a second time. I've not been able to decide which version I like better. Also the ending fade-out on 'Mirror' is different on vinyl Lothar flubs the lyric before fade-out so they rerecorded it. These two songs were featured as a single, that might account for the remix. Archy The Robot is a very enjoyable song, thats him on the cover Hi-Jacking the Devil. It's amazing to present such controversy within a whimsical piece of music. Notice how the song ends with orchestra and choir, like a coda tacked on the end. Then consider the way Made In Germany begins with 'Overature'. Duuls' albums fit together chronilogicly, it's one more way you can see this band really thinks about their music. It's artwork not commercial pulp. I never get tired of Hi-Jack, I usually hear it on saturdays for some reason, a great album to help one sort out their mind and burn non-essential brain cells.

The record varies greatly in style. Side 2 is the best, being the most psychedelic. The dreamy "Liquid whisper" is worth the whole record, being one of the best songs of the seventies.

Amon Duul II has always been one of the top experimental rock bands of the 70's. Maybe I should put the word "lost" in there somewhere since the band was never exactly popular in North America, but oh well. At least over time people have done the right thing and brought this band into the light (outside of Germany).

"I Can't Wait" is a really strange song. The vocals in the beginning will surely remind you of David Bowie (and specifically his "Space Oddity" classic) but then... get THIS- I swear the song shifts into a groovy bassline and vocal melody *extremely* similar to Billy Idol during the "Rebel Yell" period of his career.

As you know, Billy Idol didn't come out until several years later, but listen to that "Come on" section with the background arrangements and tell me that doesn't resemble Billy Idol quite a bit. Highly unusual and surprising to hear such a remarkable similarity.

"Da Guadeloop" shows just how experimental this band can be. It's not exactly a dance track, and it's not exactly a hard rock jam either... it's somewhere in between. Perhaps a couple minutes too long. That's the ONLY small problem I have with it.

"Mirror" is memorable for sounding like a slightly darker version of Steppenwolf (at least in the vocal melody). "Traveller" FLOORS me with a hauntingly dark atmosphere courtesy of the female lead singer of the band, and the flutes that are positively right on the money and *extremely* effective in making the song sound like some kind of fairy tale. I love it.

"Archy the Robot" has an upbeat style and a good sense of humor with its Kinks similarity. The song morphs into a couple different vocal sections and each one of them is just fantastic.

Another great album by a classic band. It should be a given by this point that Amon Duul II is a MUST for those seeking experimental rock artists from the 70's.

this is the second last album they put out which is good to fair. go back in time guys and make some real music again. captain nemo.

This was a rather abrupt shift in direction for the band, it would seem. Gone are the many colorful, psychedelic washes of brilliance and in their place is a more commercial, streamlined sound that still has some fragments of their previous brilliance and wit.

"I Can't Wait Pt I & II" opens things on a promising note with its bizarre and funny lyrics and insistent cellos. "Mirror" however lapses into some rather pedestrian rock with a few horns, nothing very remarkable as could be said for the remainder of the disc, despite the fact it tried to cover a lot of musical styles.

"Da Guadeloop" could be called the obligatory/gratuitous disco track (it was 1975 after all). "Explode Like A Star" threatens to light a fire (again, some really funny/bizarre lyrics like "Is it the "J" in their names that gets them killed?/Like Janice or J Jones or just another public relations thrill?"). It's not until the album's closing track "Archy The Robot" with its insistent marching band pulse and over-the-top brass arrangement at the end that the brilliance of the previous ADII albums like Wolf City and Vive' La Trance seems to peek out again.

Not a bad disc but hardly the first place to start with this band. For completeists only.

Ok so Amon Duul II reformed a few years back but I consider this the last real Amon Duul II album .Just about anything released after this album is god awful and not worth your money .You can tell the band is bored and falling apart by the time this album hit the shelves .It's a run of the mill pop rock album but you can still here the Psychedelic Kraut rock coming through in places especially on the last half of the album .It's easy listening Duul before they got really bad.Other Classic Amon Duul II albums to consider are Yeti,Live in London,Tanz Der Lemmings , Vive le Trance,Carnival of Babylon or Wolf City all classic albums and must haves for your collection.

wow this is maybe their best work. it's close between this and made in germany and vive la trance. all sooo good. this is their poppiest side and very lovely vocals and terrific musicianship as usual. one of the best albums by one of the best band's ever. what else is there to say?