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Pyragony
X by Amon Duul II (Nova/ 1976)Krautrockers Amon Düül I and Amon Düül II feature prominently in Julian Cope's Krautrocksampler book, though significantly, there's no mention whatsoever of this particular LP. Apparently, Amon Düül were originally formed in 1967, as an eleven strong, Munich-based, Yoko Ono-inspired, politico-musical commune (crikey!), but as is often the case with such idealistic concepts, the collective soon split into two factions, hence the 'I' and 'II' demarcations. And it was the secondary grouping which enjoyed the far greater musical prominence throughout the early Seventies. Yet, throughout its life, Amon Düül II remained a fairly nebulous construct, with a steady stream of musicians coming and going. In the early Eighties two albums were even recorded in North Wales and issued under name of Amon Düül (UK). These, however, were disowned by the original band members and given short shrift by Cope. But anyway, the history of Amon Düül II is far too complex for me to even attempt to do justice to here. So I'll just stick to the album in question.
I've not actually heard any other Amon Düül II recordings, so I certainly can't judge Pyragony X against any of the bands other, more classic, work. However, I suspect that the reason Cope doesn't even deign to acknowledge this album’s existence is that, it sounds a far cry from the hairy, freeform, wig-outs which I understand were characteristic of earlier opuses such as Yeti and Carnival in Babylon. Indeed, as an album comprised of properly constructed and at times quite poppy songs, Pyragony X may well exist as by far the band's most commercial offering - which suits me fine. I mean, I'm certainly not adverse to musical experimentation and I really must get round to listening to the likes of Yeti and Carnival in Babylon, but I've always been far more of a pop guy than I ever was a 'head'. That said, this album is far from being a classic, with two out and out duds amongst the eight tracks. 'Merlin', for instance, is a lyrically suspect boogie guitar workout and the dubiously-titled 'Crystal Hexagram' is a meandering soft rock instrumental that's far too self-consciously tasteful for its own good. On the whole, though, Pyragony X is an agreeable, if now quaintly old fashioned sounding, collection of pop-rock numbers. The stand out track is the opener, 'Flower of the Orient'; a lilting and suitably exotic confection featuring chinese symbols, sitars and North African horns, which builds slowly into a pile-driving crescendo on the back of a turbo-charged krautrock-style synth riff. It's worth owning Pyragony X for this track alone, but there are other delights. With period references to Kojak and Daktari, 'Telly Vision' is a mildly cautionary and rather tuneful little ditty about watching TV when stoned. 'Sally the Seducer' sounds vaguely reminiscent of early XTC (a good thing in my book!), and equally the gorgeously fey and bittersweet closer 'Cappuccino', brings to mind the likes of the TV Personalities and the Lilac Time.
So by way of bringing this one to a conclusion, I have to say that I've played this album a fair bit in the five years or so since I first bought it (another charity shop purchase – practically mint condition too!), and will continue to do so. But what I really like to do with Amon Düül II, is to slip, say, 'Flower of the Orient' or 'Cappuccino' onto a compilation tape so I can conspire to look both surprised and smug when someone asks me what it is. I know at my age I really should know better, but still...