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Reviews

Agitation Free — River of Return
(Revisited Records REV 103, 1999/2009, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2000-05-01

River of Return Cover art

Reunion efforts carry excess baggage from a bygone era. This means that the best elements of a previous “golden age” line-up usually do not grow old gracefully as a rule. However, the seminal line-up of Agitation Free (one of the original Krautrock pioneers) is back together again after a spontaneous meeting at one ex-member’s birthday party. And surprisingly twenty-five year old chemistry is stirred up again with a suspiciously first-rate consistency. The current line-up includes core members, Lutz Ulbrich and Gustl Lütjens on guitars with Michael Günther back on bass and Burghard Rausch on drums. Johannes Pappert (ex-Kraan) adds sax and flute fills across several of the tracks with various members also handling keyboards. Not knowing the back catalog of the group definitely works to the band’s favor since the nine tracks sound fresh in my mind, free of any direct links to any antiquated 70s sound. Most compositions feature various combinations of acoustic guitars with straight 4/4 tempos. The nine-plus-minute “Susie Sells Seashells at the Seashore” is the closest the quartet gets to a modern space rock classic with tidal swells and a controlled feedback guitar lead from Ulbrich. The second most memorable piece is “Das Kiene Uhrwerk,” with a basic percussion line and a twelve-string guitar backdrop as well as another piercing electric guitar phrase. As you meander down the River of Return you will notice a few notable signposts; both familiar and others updated. Overall, I’d say this revisitation of the band’s roots is a striking success (much in the same positive light as Can’s Rite Time reunion of 1995). Highly recommended.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 19, 2009 releases, 1999 recordings

Related artist(s): Agitation Free, Lutz "Lüül" Ulbricht

 

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