Tanz der Lemminge [2002 Reissue]

• Artist: Amon Düül II
• Rating:
• Release Date: January 01, 2002
• Genre: Rock

Review

There aren't many double art-rock albums from the early '70s that have stood the test of time, but then again, there aren't many albums like Tanz, and there certainly aren't many groups like Amon Duul II. While exact agreement over which of their classic albums is the absolute standout may never be reached, in terms of ambition combined with good musicianship and good humor both, Tanz, the group's third album, is probably the best candidate still. The musical emphasis is more on expansive arrangements and a generally gentler, acoustic or soft electric vibe; the brain-melting guitar from Yeti isn't as prominent on Tanz, for example, aside from the odd freakout here and there. You will find lengthy songs divided up into various movements, but with titles like "Dehypnotized Toothpaste" and "Overheated Tiara," po-faced seriousness is left at the door. The music isn't always wacky per se, but knowing that the group can laugh at itself is a great benefit. The first three tracks each take up a side of vinyl on the original release, and all are quite marvelous. "Syntelman's March of the Roaring Seventies" works through a variety of acoustic parts, steering away from folksiness for a more abstract, almost playfully classical sense of space and arrangement, before concluding with a brief jam. "Restless Skylight-Transistor Child" is more fragmented, switching between aggressive (and aggressively weird) and subtle passages. One part features Meid and Knaup singing over an arrangement of guitars, synths and mock choirs that's particularly fine, and quite trippy to boot. "Chamsin Soundtrack" exchanges variety for a slow sense of mystery and menace, with instruments weaving in and out of the mix while never losing the central feel of the song. Three briefer songs close out the record, a nice way to get in some quick grooves at the end. [The 2002 edition of Tanz Der Lemminge released by Repertoire contains no bonus tracks but does index each section of the two long pieces, "Syntelman's March of the Roaring Seventies" and "Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child," that make up the bulk of the album. This way the listener can skip right to their favorite part. Whether this is much of a selling point is debatable but it certainly isn't enough of a reason to purchase this if you already own the 1997 reissue.].~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Syntelman's March of the Roaring Seventies: Syntelman's March of ...	Chris Karrer	Amon Düül II	(1:39)
Syntelman's March of the Roaring Seventies: Pull Down Your Mask	Chris Karrer, Falk U. Rogner	Amon Düül II	(4:39)
Syntelman's March of the Roaring Seventies: Prayer to the Silence	Chris Karrer	Amon Düül II	(1:04)
Syntelman's March of the Roaring Seventies: Telephonecomplex	Chris Karrer	Amon Düül II	(8:26)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Landing in a Ditch	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(1:12)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Dehypnotized Toothpaste	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(:52)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: A Short Stop at the Transsylvanian	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(5:00)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Race from Here to Your Ears: ...	Falk U. Rogner, John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(2:08)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Race from Here to Your Ears: ...	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(1:46)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Race from Here to Your Ears: ...	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(1:26)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Riding on a Cloud	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(2:33)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: Paralized Paradise	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(3:07)
Restless Skylight-Transistor-Child: H.G. Well's Take Off	John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(1:26)
Chamsin Soundtrack: The Marilyn Monroe-Memorial-Church [Impr.]	Chris Karrer, Lothar Meid, Falk U. Rogner, John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(18:05)
Chamsin Soundtrack: Chewinggum Telegram	Chris Karrer, Lothar Meid, Falk U. Rogner, John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(2:44)
Chamsin Soundtrack: Stumbling Over Melted Moonlight	Chris Karrer, Lothar Meid, Falk U. Rogner, John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(4:39)
Chamsin Soundtrack: Cal Whispering	Chris Karrer, Lothar Meid, Falk U. Rogner, John Weinzierl	Amon Düül II	(7:50)

Credits

Al Gromer Khan (Sitar), Amon Düül (Main Performer), EROC (Remastering), EROC (Restoration), Chris Karrer (Guitar (Acoustic)), Chris Karrer (Guitar), Chris Karrer (Violin), Chris Karrer (Vocals), Lothar Meid (Bass), Lothar Meid (Vocals), Lothar Meid (Double Bass), Peter Leopold (Percussion), Peter Leopold (Piano), Peter Leopold (Drums), Falk U. Rogner (Organ), Falk U. Rogner (Photography), Falk U. Rogner (Electronics), John Weinzierl (Guitar), John Weinzierl (Piano), John Weinzierl (Vocals), Rolf Zacher (Vocals), Amon Düül II (Producer), Jimmy Jackson (Organ), Jimmy Jackson (Piano), Kalle Hausmann (Remixing), Kalle Hausmann (Mixing), Matthias Mineur (Liner Notes), F.J. Rogner (Graphic Design), F.J. Rogner (Cover Design)