Agitation Free - 'Second' (Spalax)
Mike Reed | USA | 12/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Originally came out in 1973,this was the band's second effort.Just as good as their later-day archive release 'At The Cliffs...'(see my review).I now have every one of Agitation Free's discs and the only one I dislike is the 'Other Sides Of...' because it's just way too jazzy.One of the first factors that a listener should pick up on while hearing 'Second' is that Agitation makes FULL use of combining middle eastern-like rhythms with some over-the-top electronic wizardry to create their OWN sound of what kraut/cosmic rock should be.The keyboard work by Michael Hoenig is superb as it IS with all Agitation records.All seven tracks are fantastically trippin',but I thought I'd at least mention "First Communications",the somewhat moody "A Quiet Walk" and the mid tempo "Haunted Island" will have the new owner of this CD playing it often.Also,the tunes "Laila,Pt.1" and "Laila,Pt.2" carry their weight rather well.Another must-have in the krautrock field.Will appeal to fans of Ash Ra Tempel,Cluster,Tangerine Dream and Faust.Highly recommended."
No agitation
Chromefreak | 02/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Agitation Free's name typifies this entire record. From the opening track,"First Communication," to the beautiful "In the Silence of the Morning Sunrise," 2nd is AF's masterpiece. Unlike most of the other German groups of the time, Agitation Free fused electronics with middle eastern rhythms and melodies. Quite original for the time and still sounds fresh even now in the 21st century. The group's synthesist/keyboardist,Michael Hoening, would later tmove to the U.S. where he now composes music for film and television. If you like Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel, Klaus Schulze, etc., you should own this disc. An unacknowledged classic and slightly recommended over the group's first release, Malesch."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1