Krautrock, progressive, instrumental
Howdy folks, I thought another installment of krautrock was due. I have chosen to follow up Faust(a tough feat) with a superb album by Agitation free. Agitation Free were an avant-garde instrumental band from Germany in the early 1970s, they have an experimental and improvisational feel. They originated from extended jams of cover songs and then began writing their own songs from jamming sessions.
This album "2nd" is surprisingly the bands 2nd album after there excellent debut "Malesch", which has a very potent middle eastern and egyptian feel to it. 2nd has a similar but subtler feel, with the guitar still sounding quite ethnic but also jazzier. The album is one of my favourites and a true instrumental classic of the 70s. It showcases the german progressive scene with all its creativity, talent and worldly inspiration, whether in this case from ethnic countries the band toured or from the modern urban industrial realm as in Faust or Kraftwerk.
The album had two sides originally the first being supreme to the 2nd, which is not at all bad however. Side one starts with "First communication" the most aggressive song on the album, and one of the best. After a slow and gentle build up with some mellowing bass riffs complemented by a mazey and flowing guitar it arrives at the frantic close to the song an all out jazz rock jam to really stir senses.
The other stand out songs are "Laila Parts 1 and 2" the first part being my favourite part of an outstanding album." No forewarning just listen and enjoy.
Part 2 is 7 minute epic builds up slowly with the bass forming a beautifully repetitive hypnotizing base for a winding guitar to sum up an experience in a far away land. It really sends you elsewhere; for a stunning live version of "Laila" check out "Cliffs at the River Rhine" a live album released in 1995.
The second side is a much quieter journey, sometimes maybe too long in places but still wonderfully emotive, with the closer "Haunted Island" sticking out.
The band were extremely talented but lineup changes, poor sales :( and extensive touring forced them to split in 1974. They released "Last" and "Cliffs'" in the 70s until a brief reformation in 1998, and have since released a live album and "Fragments".
They are a definitive band of Krautrock and should be checked out at all cost, both "2nd" and "Malesch" are exemplar albums.
If you like this then also check out Amon Duul II, Guru guru and Tangerine Dream-posts will come later.
jamscoopa
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