Amon Düül II

Figuring out which kraut related bands one should delve into is never an easy decision. It is, however, made a bit easier if one’s inclinations towards the use of electronics and synthesizers, in general, isn’t too strong. That being said, there are countless bands to be ignored if the electro-rock thing isn’t up one’s alley. And for that very reason, I ignored Popol Vuh for a pretty long time. Any write up of the group – invariably led by pianist and all around arranger Florian Fricke – gets into his pioneering use of electronics. And while that doesn’t really do it for me, not all of the work in the pretty expansive Popol Vuh catalog is overwhelmed by analog synths and the like. Read more