POPOL VUH - Agape-Agape / Love-Love (1983-2004) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Two years after the issue of Sei Still, Wisse ICH BIN, Agape-Agape (Love-Love) offers a deeper view of the same animal. Still utilizing a choir for Gregorian chant-like ethereal intensity -- though they sing in Byzantine scales -- pianist Florian Fricke, guitarist/percussionist Daniel Fichelscher, guitarist Conny Veit (who came back to the fold after a prolonged absence), and vocalist Renate Knaup delve deeply into the drone world of Fricke's sacred music muse. There are eight pieces on this set, the longest of which is the final one, "Why Do I Fall Asleep." But they are all of a single theme, even Fichelscher's "They Danced, They Laughed, As of Old," which is an extended retreatment of "Kleiner Kreiger" from the Einsjäger & Siebenjäger album. Fricke only comes to the fore on the title track with his shimmering, insistent mantra-piano, but the twin guitars of Fichelscher and Veit more than compensate elsewhere as they entwine and slip through and around one another. Once again, though the music might seem formulaic, it is in the subtleties and dynamics that Fricke's compositional growth is revealed, and Agape-Agape is a worthy, devastatingly beautiful outing.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1     Hand in Hand 2:53
Florian Fricke
2     They Danced, They Laughed, As of Old 4:53
Danny Secundus Fichelscher
3     Love, Life, Death 1:29
Florian Fricke
4     The Christ Is Near 3:54
Florian Fricke
5     Love-Love 5:26
Florian Fricke
6     Behold, the Drover Summons 5:56
Florian Fricke
7     Agape-Agape 4:57
Florian Fricke
8     Why Do I Still Sleep 8:00
Florian Fricke
- Bonus Track -
9    Circledance 2:36
Composed By – Daniel Fichelscher, Florian Fricke
Credits :
Guitar – Conny Veit
Guitar [Guitars], Vocals [Vocal], Percussion – Daniel Fichelscher
Producer – Florian Fricke, Popol Vuh
Remastered By [Digital Remastering] – Frank Fiedler
Vocals [Vocal] – Renate Knaup