1972
Noah’s Barks pages covering things relating to the year 1972.
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Aguirre, the Wrath of God
The cinematography is masterful with truly blooming colors, and you’ve got a top-tier performance from Klaus Kinski backed by an unforgettable theme composed by Popol Vuh, but all of my hang-ups with Aguirre, the Wrath of God are narrative focused. The sense of humor in particular does nothing for me, and at worst it suddenly… (read more)
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Solaris
Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 sci-fi epic ‘Solaris’ explores the distinctions between reality and fantasy—and if any of them are even meaningful. (read more)
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Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Mardi Gras”
On Creedence Clearwater Revival’s final album, Mardi Gras, John Fogerty bends the knee and allows his mutinous band fellows to at last feature their own material. With the creative legend taking a backseat, the results go about as well as you might expect. (read more)
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Wendy Carlos – “Clockwork Orange”
A bit amusing how hard of a time I had finding this release for a moment. I wasn’t aware that Wendy Carlos had a sex change after making this soundtrack and changed her name, and her previous name was cemented in the soundtrack album’s cover art. Anyway, A Clockwork Orange is one of the strangest,… (read more)
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Stevie Wonder – “Music of My Mind” (1972)
Stevie Wonder isn’t quite there yet. Music of My Mind is his first album as a soul artist, and as you might expect, he hasn’t gotten used to it. His vocal performance isn’t as transcendent as it would become and doesn’t flow well with a lot of the backing instrumentation. Keyboard melodies haven’t become dominant… (read more)
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Alice Cooper – “School’s Out”
The attitude and personality is in ‘School’s Out.’ Additionally, the schmaltzy production shows for the first time… but where are the hooks? (read more)
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Amon Düül II – “Carnival in Babylon”
Amon Düül II explores more conventional song structures on ‘Carnival of Babylon,’ but never soars to the heights of ‘Archangels Thunderbird.’ (read more)
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Captain Beyond – “Captain Beyond”
Some incredible songs on ‘Captain Beyond,’ interesting lyrics, and ferocious performances. I greatly dislike the psychedelic mixing, however. (read more)
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Todd Rundgren – “Something / Anything?” (1972)
Often called “the best album Paul McCartney never made,” Todd Rundgren’s 1972 double album Something / Anything? is indeed as good as any album the master of pop put out during his solo career, if not better. The album is basically packed full of competent pop songs, either piano or guitar-driven, and almost anything on… (read more)
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Can – “Ege Bamyası”
‘Ege Bamyasi’ is the most bizarre cocktail lounge album ever made, and "Sing Swan Song" in particular is not of this world and invites me away from it. Best Can album and song? Very possible. (read more)