AGITATION FREE

The debut album from this pretty strange German band shows them from a more etno Arabic side. Or perhaps Northern African side. The album, and the albums band career of Agitation Free, starts with an Arabic prayer and then continues as a jam with the hammond organ and the electric guitars jamming over a beat laid down by the bass and the drums. This is Krautrock, but not Krautrock as we knows it.

Most of this album is pretty hypnotic and deeply mired in a mix of psychedelic avant-garde, jazz and Arabic folk music. The music is so coherent throughout that it is probably a concept album. I have not checked out if this is true or not, though. Most of the tracks starts with one instrument and then slowly builds up to fierce duels between the Hammond organ & the guitar. That makes this album pretty hypnotic.

The quality of the music is great throughout though. The best track is the rather catchy Ala Tul. The title track too is excellent. Behind this wall of hammonds and guitars, the subtleties of the music becomes pretty clear for those willing to give this album some time. I am not a big fan of Krautrock, but I am a fan of this very untypical Krautrock album. Hence my stars.

4 stars

Can there be a thing such as a pleasant kraut album? Agitation Free certainly gives it a shot on their debut. Where it concerns kraut, this album is sure fun and accessible, with smooth psychedelic jams and nice touches of Eastern music.

One of the original aspects is the integration of samples, if I may use that term. The band had recorded of few bits and pieces of music while on a trip in Egypt and blended them in with their own songs. The integration isn't as seamless as on Pink Floyd albums but it adds an interesting angle. Sahara City is a fine example. I generally miss a bit of edge to this album, but on tracks like the opener You Play For Us Today they sure build up some intensity.

However, at no point does this band really shine and sparkle. Everything remains fairly standard and maybe even a bit formulaic, for kraut standards at least. Ala Tul has an interesting groove and twirling psychedelic organs but fails to engage me emotionally. Also the experimental Pulse and the rather dull jams of Khan El Khalili and Malesch don't rise above average. Rücksturz is a nice closer with good guitar harmonies and a certain 1970 Pink Floyd mood.

While it can serve as a good introduction to krautrock, this albums leaves a seasoned krautonaut like me rather indifferent. Especially for an album from 1972 it is pretty safe and predictable and won't present anything Amon Düül II or Guru Guru didn't have on offer. Nice album but hardly anything else but plain good.

After the ethnic experimentation of their debut release 'Malesch', Agitation Free would fine tune their sound towards a more cosmic, bluesy psychedelia evident on their sophomore record '2nd' and this 1974 live album, which is taken from a series of French concerts. For 'Last' the Agitation Free ranks had swelled to a seven-strong line-up featuring Michael Hoenig(keys), Gustl Lutjens(vocals), Dietmar Burmeister(drums), Michael Gunter(bass), Burghaud Rausch(drums, keys, vocals), Jorg Schwenke(guitar) and Lutz Ulbrich(guitar, keys), giving the group a layered and powerful sound that resonates with an earthy, cosmic intensity. The material from 'Malesch' is given a wide birth in favour of the group's more Western-orientated soundscapes, with the live favourite 'Laila' given a full and epic airing in two deeply psychedelic parts, whilst the electronics are also pushed to the fore by band-leader Michael Hoenig, who contributes a series of startling synth sections that, along with the almost celestial guitar-playing of Jorg Schwenke, give the group a richly-textured, almost mystical sound that brings to mind Ash Ra Tempel's trippy experimentation blended carefully with Dave Gilmour's soaring guitar tones. The soft, throbbing bass-lines that appear throughout the album help to maintain the soothing, spacey atmosphere, though Schwenke does occasionally let rip with a beautifully-constructed solo in 'Laila Pt 2'. Fans of Amon Duul II, Guru Guru's more serene moments, Ash Ra Tempel, Annexus Quam and the albums of former Gong guitar-star Steve Hillage will find much to admire in this bluesy krautrock odyssey, and will do well to check out the studio album '2nd' as well, which features a similar style. Though they cover the same ground, '2nd' and 'Last', along with the groups Egyptain-and-Cypriot-inspired debut, are the only real essential Agitation Free albums. They recorded very little during their lifetime, but did manage to perform at the ill-fated 1972 Munich olympics and have subsequently released some 'posthumous' releases such as 'Fragments', a live album recorded in 1974 but not released until 1995, and yet another live offering in the shape of the 1998 release 'At The Cliffs Of The River Rhine'. Though their catalogue is small, it's well worth investigating, especially for those who enjoy the more melodic side of krautrock. STEFAN TURNER, LONDON, 2010

AGITATION FREE's debut was a relative late-commer to a German progressive rock scene, appearing in 1972, after the luminaries of Krautrock (CAN, AMON DUUL II, FAUST, NEU!, GURU GURU...) had already released their remarkable early albums. Therefore, "Malesch" is often overlooked among Kraut-fans. What an unjustice!

This is a fine example of "Kosmische muzik" that practically consists of one lengthy instrumental improvisational jam, interspersed with sound effects of Mid-East travelling (plane noise, Arabic announcements and chants...) experiences. Throbbing bass by M. Gunther is amazing as almost a lead instrument, while percussion and keyboard work gives a plenty of dreamy, space-rock atmosphere. The closer "Rucksturz" rocks heavy with excellent and melodic (although heavily fuzzed) sound of electric guitar.

"Malesch" should be reconsidered and included in the first league of Krautrock albums, along with "Faust (clear vinyl)", "Tago Mago", "Yeti", "Kanguru", or "Hallogallo". Essential for any Krautrock, Psychedelic or Space-rock collection.

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5

P.A. RATING: 4/5

I want to dedicate this to my Krautrock/Canterbury friend Tom Ozric who is probably baking in 30 plus degree weather today while i freeze in -15 this morning.AGITATION FREE are one of the more legendary Krautrock bands who had a huge influence on many groups over the years."Early incarnations featured the likes of Christoph Franke(drums) who went on to TANGERINE DREAM,Ax Genrich(guitar) who after 3 months was nabbed by GURU GURU,and John L. "the madman of Berlin" a notorious eccentric who also played with ASH RA TEMPEL". The lineup on this live album features Lutz Ulbrich who would go on to play with ASHRA and Michael Hoenig who would later join TANGERINE DREAM. This particular recording features live music from 1973 and 1974,it wasn't released until after the band broke up. "Soundpool" opens with waves of spacey sounds before it turns electronic and experimental.Spacey winds after 4 minutes.Guitars,bass and drums all kick in before 5 minutes.This is so amazing.I didn't see this coming. "Laila II" builds slowly.This is very relaxed with guitar and drums too.Great sound after 3 minutes as the guitars,bass and drums dominate.They're jamming at this point.Experimental sounds join in before 9 minutes as it settles some.Love the guitar and sound 10 minutes in.It settles down more before 12 minutes with some nice bass. "Looping IV" features no music really but a dark,cold soundscpae that changes and evolves throughout the 23 minutes.The tempo picks up half way through with much more going on as well. It slowly starts to settle back down until it's really spacey late. There's a bonus track called "Schwingspure".It's spacey early with different sounds coming and going.It turns powerful 3 minutes in then the tempo picks up.Some nice guitar here. Without a doubt this is an excellent addition to your Krautrock collection.Easily 4 stars.

Here is a simply mind numbing awesome live album capturing classic Agitation Free in concert. This one had been on my essential swing list for a long time and I finally snagged copy and yes the waiting was worth it. This live set has been remastered and no longer carries the bootleg sound quality! (for those who had the boot version). For me the entire show is totally thrilling and I always wanted to hear them live. "Through The Moods" is a 14 minute epic track which opens the set and simply steals the show...wow what a track.....Space and German krautrock progressive rock in full....what else could you ask for?

Insubstantial compared to their phenomenal original two studio recordings, but much better than i expected given the reviews and ratings here and elsewhere. Fairly simple jazz-rock, with a touch of the Agitation Free sound (mostly on "Deliverance). Side a (first 4 tracks) at least is worth listening to a few times certainly; I thoroughly enjoy these songs. Side b has a number of good moments too, one being "Song für einen Proletariersohn Teil 1". All songs except tracks 2, 3 and 4 have vocals, almost all in English, with the last in German. In general, this is pleasant, upbeat music that is easy to listen to.

3.25 stars

The songs on 2nd are much more structured than on the first 'Malesch', with a slightly stripped-down sound that has more of a rock or jazz-rock feel. This record sees Agitation Free hanging on to the legendary sound of Malesch but beginning to slip away. This album has fewer ideas on it than Malesch, while that record flourished with them. The ideas it has are drawn out more, more immediate, and the sound is more upbeat (more truly embodying the name "agitation free"), less mysterious or psychedelic. Slight similarities to the Grateful Dead are evident on the first song "Fist Communication" as the flowing melodic, and the occasional expressive series of lone, high pitched guitar notes are reminiscent of Lesh and Garcia, and, like the Dead (dare I say. better?) the musical interplay is top-notch (as on Malesch). They play here in a more clearly blues-influenced sound that is somewhat reminiscent at times of the Allman Brothers.

The unevenness of this album and the relative lack of ideas compared to 'Malesch' makes this a four star album only, although there are more than a few moments of emotive, musical, and brilliance. If the second side (the last 2 songs) was as good as the first, I would give this a fifth star. Recommended highly to those who enjoy great musicianship and musical interplay.

Second is not nearly as good as Malesch in my opinion, and is generally much less psychedelic, tangential and dense with ideas. It is also more stripped down and melodic in sound and still very creative and enjoyable, with more than several excellent moments throughout.

Standout tracks: "First Communication", "Laila (part I and, to a lesser extent, II)", and "In the Silence of the Morning Sunrise"

4.5 stars!

One of my favorite albums of all time. Quite a talented group of musicians! Very tangential music, it flows just like jamming and does not strike me as tangential because it feels just like a breathing, naturally flowing essence. It manages to be this way while being very well orchestrated, structured and executed. The music consists of great musicianship and musical interplay, with layered themes, and a sound that is very melodic, rhythmic, dynamic, nuanced and varied, while being well integrated. This music is mysterious, exploratory, jamming, meditative, trance inducing, trippy, and powerful, and is pervaded by a middle eastern ethnic influence that is more explicitly referenced by various cool recordings from their trip/tour to egypt that appear to varying effects, degrees and qualities as bookends for the tracks, which already flow very well into one another. Eclectic instruments and sounds.

Agitation Free's music is psychedelic, experimental krautrock with elements of spaced-out ambient, experimental electronic, and drone. Their music for the most part consists of driving organ-patterned drone-like rock, seamless psychedelic cosmic musical textures with intricate musicianship and musical variety, hard, driving rock similar to Guru Guru or Amon Duul II but more compelling, refined, and developed, and jamming that occasionally invokes the interplay and styles of Garcia, Weir and Lesh of the Grateful Dead. Their music features frequently great musical interplay and great playing, great textures, melodies and grooves. Many of their songs have a trance-inducing, psychedelic, and pressing, feel, usually with a bold sound. This music is densely packed with creative ideas and musicianship and musical interplay is phenomenal throughout the entire album. As an album, the songs blend together to make an almost seamlessly flowing and uninterrupted musical journey. Compare loosely to bands like Guru Guru, Ash Ra Tempel, Amon Duul II, Brainticket, Popol Vuh, Kalacakra, Between, Dom, Gila, Yatha Sidhra and also with The Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers to a slight degree. I compare the quality of their musical interplay and playing quite favorably to the best of the Grateful Dead's live output (L&G, TGD: Fillmore East 1971 etc.).

"You Play For Us Today" sounds almost like a raga (a la kalacakra's "Raga No. 11").

Standout tracks: "You Play for Us Today", "Sahara City", "Ala Tul", "Khan El Khalili", and slightly lesser "Malesch" (incidentally, my first two favorites were "Rücksturz" and "Pulse", the only other tracks on the album!)

This is one of the albums that has profoundly changed my musical world (some others are Brainticket's "'Psychonaut'", Asia Minor's "Between Flesh and Divine", Santana's "Caravanserai", Jan Dukes de Grey's "Mice and Rats in the Loft", C.O.B.'s "Moyshee McStiff.", Rush's "Moving Pictures).

Better than their follow-up "2nd", which is still a highlight of the Krautrock genre!

5 stars. Definitely.

I know nothing about this band and I hardly knows anything about Krautrock. But this album accidently landed in my mailbag and the artwork seemed promising. So I gave it one round in the CD player..... and then some more mileage.

The music is both Space/Psychedelic Rock and Jazzy. The music is groovy like mad and pretty infectious. The melodies are pleasing too. Long guitar solos, thumping bass and excellent drums are the driving force here. The time changes and some symphonic prog influences also makes this a pleasing experience. The music is instrumental throughout.

The first track Through The Moods is very captivating with driving guitars and groove. Laila is another track with superb melody and time changes. Agitation Free is obviously a band worth getting into because this is a good album. I know next to nothing about Krautrock, but I like this album.

3 stars from a Krautrock novice.