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AGF

Words Are Missing

(AGF Producktion; US: 19 Feb 2008; UK: 25 Feb 2008)

Words Are Missing is the fourth album for AGF (Antye Greie-Fuchs to her friends) since 2002, which is actually a somewhat remarkable feat of consistency given the attention to detail and thematic consistency she affords to each of those works. This time around, it seems that AGF’s subject is the voice, as she goes ahead and puts various voices (how many of the voices belong to her is unclear, though it could be nearly all of them) through various processors and comes up with something that veers between danceable and horrific. On the former side of the spectrum are tracks like “Letters Make No Meaning (Weapons No War Germs No Disease) I” and “Where the White Animals Meet”, both of them glitchy soundfests that actually manage to establish beats and melodies for extended periods. “Presswehen” would be the shining example of the latter, then, opening with some heavy breathing and moaning that eventually evolves into a scream, and then forcing you to listen to it a second time… whether it’s worse knowing what’s coming is certainly part of the experiment. Couple the fascinating and daring aural experimentation with a booklet full of fascinating artwork and photography (complete with links to more artwork, either inspiration or augmentation), and you get a fascinating little package. If you’re looking for an experienced, fascinating source of electronic experimentation beyond the genre’s hugest names, AGF and her Words are Missing may well be a wonderful place to start.

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Mike Schiller is a software engineer in Buffalo, NY who enjoys filling the free time he finds with media of any sort -- music, movies, and lately, video games. Stepping into the role of PopMatters Multimedia editor in 2006 after having written music and game reviews for two years previous, he has renewed his passion for gaming to levels not seen since his fondly-remembered college days of ethernet-enabled dorm rooms and all-night Goldeneye marathons. His three children unconditionally approve of their father's most recent set of obsessions.


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