862: YETI | AMON DÜÜL II

Yeti is a classic album by the German band Amon Düül II, released in 1970. It is considered one of the first and best examples of the Krautrock genre, which combines elements of psychedelic rock, progressive rock, avant-garde, and experimental music. The album consists of two discs: one with composed songs and one with improvisations. The album showcases the band’s musical talent, creativity, and diversity, as well as their distinctive sound and style.

The composed songs on the first disc are varied and dynamic, ranging from hard rock to folk to funk. Some of the highlights are “Soap Shop Rock”, a 13-minute suite that switches between different moods and tempos; “Archangels Thunderbird”, a catchy and energetic song with a powerful vocal by Renate Knaup; and “Eye-Shaking King”, a complex and psychedelic song with a violin solo by Chris Karrer. The lyrics, written by the band members, are often obscure and poetic, exploring themes such as fantasy, mythology, and rebellion.

The improvisations on the second disc are more free-form and experimental, featuring long instrumental jams and spontaneous vocals. The band plays with different instruments and effects, creating a rich and diverse sonic palette. Some of the highlights are “Yeti”, an 18-minute epic that explores different musical territories; “Yeti Talks to Yogi”, a playful and humorous dialogue between two mythical creatures; and “Sandoz in the Rain”, a beautiful and atmospheric piece that is considered the origin of space rock.

The album was produced by Olaf Kübler and Amon Düül II, and engineered by Willy Schmidt. The cover art was designed by Falk Rogner, the band’s organist, and features a collage of Wolfgang Krischke as the Grim Reaper.