2ND

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!