Toma at wasfuersohr said:

We featured a lot of Electronica records this year, but considering the quality of A Perfect State of Disarray, I dont think you'll be mad at us for pushing one more for today's blog update. Agent Whiskers already released 3 releases and his most recent one outshines his other 2 by far, in terms of sound quality, sound diversity, song structure and album cohesion. I do recommend checking out his other two records as well, though, as some of the presented songs are guaranteed to be stuck in your head as well (Few examples: Awaken on The Path Untaken, or Cascade into Supernova on Abstract Forms of Solace).

A Perfect State of Disarray starts off with a very recognizable, maybe even invasive, opening theme, which would have been enough basis for a catchy track on its own merit. However, Agent Whiskers manages to defy any expectation by adding a second, more upbeat, chiptune theme to the mix, creating a track that inherits something that sounds like two opposing and rivaling ideas, that still manage to coexist for a greater good, or sound in this case.

This dichotomy is an arrangement he successfully applies to other songs as well, Caretaker (Take Me Home) for example has one of the most stunning inner song transitions I've heard in quite a while. On the topic of transitions: The song to song transitions are remarkably well done as well. Every song immediately flows into the next, resembling a fluent stream of narration guiding the listener instead of single choppy short stories. This release really deserves to be listened as a whole for someone to really experience the great work done here and probably needs more than one listen to reveal all its subtle nuances.

My only gripe for this record is the inclusion of the last song Endgame (As The World Burns), which by itself is a great song, but unfortunately managed to pull me out of the coherent experience and mood set by the songs before. The song features a strong musical rock/metal theme as its aforementioned dividing contrast, which doesn't quite want to fit into the whole experience.

The third record of Agent Whiskers in 8 months basically guarantees we'll hear more from him in the future and I cant wait for more from him or even Remixes of his songs with other artists. While his other two records had some slightly raw feel to it, his newest release is a work of beauty. Driving bass lines, catchy chiptunes and a great diversity in the song selection, or even within a track, definitely assure you won't get bored anytime soon.

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Trendcrusher said:

Imagine the post-apocalyptic world, death and destruction all around you. Lost and confused, away from your friends and family you are trying to figure out what happened to them and others. I am sure at least some of you have had a dream/nightmare like this or have watched the Hollywood movie, 2012. The latest album by Agent Whiskers, “A Perfect State of Disarray” is the soundtrack to it.

For those who have not read my previous post about Agent Whiskers, he is an electronic musician from Saudi Arabia. After releasing a couple of remixes, he is back with another album (the 3rd in 6 months for those keeping count). Unlike his peers in the Middle East, Agent Whiskers does not make electronic music to be played in clubs. It is for this reason I am writing about him on my blog which mainly covers Rock/Metal artists.

This album has much darker themes than the previous two albums. With 7 tracks at 31 minutes, it is like a juicy beefburger with no fat (if i may use the analogy). My favorite tracks from the album are “New Dawn (The World Is Ours)” and “Deliverance (No Rest For the Wicked)”. I feel this is the best release by Agent Whiskers so far. The production is a lot better especially the drums which I had an issue with in the earlier album.

If the past six months are any indication, expect at least a couple more album from Agent Whiskers this year. I hope this music reaches the ears of video game developers etc. , more attention needs to directed towards this new sound coming from Saudi Arabia.

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Toma said:

We featured a lot of Electronica records this year, but considering the quality of A Perfect State of Disarray, I dont think you'll be mad at us for pushing one more for today's blog update. Agent Whiskers already released 3 releases and his most recent one outshines his other 2 by far, in terms of sound quality, sound diversity, song structure and album cohesion. I do recommend checking out his other two records as well, though, as some of the presented songs are guaranteed to be stuck in your head as well (Few examples: Awaken on The Path Untaken, or Cascade into Supernova on Abstract Forms of Solace).

A Perfect State of Disarray starts off with a very recognizable, maybe even invasive, opening theme, which would have been enough basis for a catchy track on its own merit. However, Agent Whiskers manages to defy any expectation by adding a second, more upbeat, chiptune theme to the mix, creating a track that inherits something that sounds like two opposing and rivaling ideas, that still manage to coexist for a greater good, or sound in this case.

This dichotomy is an arrangement he successfully applies to other songs as well, Caretaker (Take Me Home) for example has one of the most stunning inner song transitions I've heard in quite a while. On the topic of transitions: The song to song transitions are remarkably well done as well. Every song immediately flows into the next, resembling a fluent stream of narration guiding the listener instead of single choppy short stories. This release really deserves to be listened as a whole for someone to really experience the great work done here and probably needs more than one listen to reveal all its subtle nuances.

My only gripe for this record is the inclusion of the last song Endgame (As The World Burns), which by itself is a great song, but unfortunately managed to pull me out of the coherent experience and mood set by the songs before. The song features a strong musical rock/metal theme as its aforementioned dividing contrast, which doesn't quite want to fit into the whole experience.

The third record of Agent Whiskers in 8 months basically guarantees we'll hear more from him in the future and I cant wait for more from him or even Remixes of his songs with other artists. While his other two records had some slightly raw feel to it, his newest release is a work of beauty. Driving bass lines, catchy chiptunes and a great diversity in the song selection, or even within a track, definitely assure you won't get bored anytime soon.

Click to expand...

Trendcrusher said:

Imagine the post-apocalyptic world, death and destruction all around you. Lost and confused, away from your friends and family you are trying to figure out what happened to them and others. I am sure at least some of you have had a dream/nightmare like this or have watched the Hollywood movie, 2012. The latest album by Agent Whiskers, “A Perfect State of Disarray” is the soundtrack to it.

For those who have not read my previous post about Agent Whiskers, he is an electronic musician from Saudi Arabia. After releasing a couple of remixes, he is back with another album (the 3rd in 6 months for those keeping count). Unlike his peers in the Middle East, Agent Whiskers does not make electronic music to be played in clubs. It is for this reason I am writing about him on my blog which mainly covers Rock/Metal artists.

This album has much darker themes than the previous two albums. With 7 tracks at 31 minutes, it is like a juicy beefburger with no fat (if i may use the analogy). My favorite tracks from the album are “New Dawn (The World Is Ours)” and “Deliverance (No Rest For the Wicked)”. I feel this is the best release by Agent Whiskers so far. The production is a lot better especially the drums which I had an issue with in the earlier album.

If the past six months are any indication, expect at least a couple more album from Agent Whiskers this year. I hope this music reaches the ears of video game developers etc. , more attention needs to directed towards this new sound coming from Saudi Arabia.

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Thaedolus said:

Just a heads up, the "Like" button links to your previous album. But I've got some friends on fb that would like this and I'm sharing it. Gonna donate too

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Ubermatik said:

Dude, I love your logo. Real nice. Will download when I get home! Looking forward to it!

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RDreamer said:

I listened to a bit of it, and I dig it. All your stuff is pretty good. I think you should get in contact with some indie game developers or something, since I think your style would fit in really well in a game. I can't really give much other than that, since electronic music is really not what I listen to most. So I can say I like it, but nothing really more technical than that.

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Retro said:

You know my opinion on the album, and being able to listen to it evolve somewhat while working on the album cover was an interesting experience as well. I think it's easily your strongest album to date. It carries a consistent mood and tone throughout and evokes a sort of musical narrative that just isn't heard anymore these days in singular songs, let alone across entire albums. I have to go back to Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" to find one.

I think one of your strengths is that you are able to weave a consistent sound throughout a half-hour or so of music with such unity that they might as well be one big track. I was putting together a playlist for a game concept I was working on that's a near-future fast-paced action title, and I immediately started to pull tracks from "Stage II" like "Contagion" and "The Getaway". But I found that as I listen to them, I wanted to hear the tracks in between and after. The music flows so well into and is so firmly tied into each other that they've become inseparable.

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Retro said:

I do differ from most, however, in that Aftermath (rather than Deliverance) is my favorite from "Disarray" though. As with the last album, I start to tell my own stories within the space of the music, and perhaps I'll post a bit of that later.

But as for getting a lot of promotion, especially in terms of air play, the problem is that the market doesn't really want it. At least here in the US, most radio stations are owned by large companies who don't play 'new' music; they broadcast what's popular and rarely (if ever) take a chance on something that isn't Top 40 material. They'll play crap like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber 5 times an hour because that's what listeners want and that's what gets them ad revenue. Even the so-called "indie/alternative" station where I live is owned by Clear Channel. I wouldn't even know who to talk to about getting your music on the air anywhere in the US, it's that insulated against emerging artists.

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Retro said:

If I were in college, I'd be talking to the college station and trying to get it some airplay there. Maybe some GAFers who are in still in college and want to do right by a fellow GAFFer can find out if their school's station has somebody playing some ambient /electronic / experimental music?

Beyond that, I'm always keeping an ear to the channels I have to me. I follow my local IGDA chapter closely and if they ever ask for a musician I'll mention you straight away. I have a few music aficionado friends who I always make sure hear your stuff via Facebook. Maybe more than any GAFfer I'd benefit from your success (after all, you're the first person to pay me for my work in the better part of a decade). I just don't know enough people to even network for myself, honestly.

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Retro said:

I guess the point is, there's only so much any GAFFer can do to help get the word out. I'd love to see more impressions (who wouldn't?), but GAF isn't a music forum so not everyone is going to be much help. If the album is making back money you spent on developing it, that's a sure sign that people are listening and buying, at the very least.

As good as this album is (and as good as the last ones have been), there should be more buzz. I'm not familiar enough with the music industry to say why or why there isn't.

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AgentWhiskers said:

What type of game do you think my music fits? And thanks for listening.

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AgentWhiskers said:

Here's a question. Do you think the fact that the album is a seamless experience takes anything away from the individuality of the tracks?

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AgentWhiskers said:

Locally, it's damn near impossible considering the amount of friends I've known who were jailed for promoting live shows in Saudi (last show I played here with a band was in 2008).

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AgentWhiskers said:

The reason GAF's opinion matters to me is because it's arguably a major player in the video game industry. And considering my music is heavily influenced by video games, I think it's a great place to network and promote video game-inspired music. Although I'm mostly here for a general consensus on my work to see where I should take my sound next. Not getting that from a video game forum I regularly frequent really disappoints me but what can you do?

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Retro said:

All the more reason to consider leaving Saudi Arabia if you can get the chance. I know you'd like to have a fanbase that can support you through that transition and establish a source of income when you move, but you may end up having to take the plunge and hope for the best. Based on your tweets, I think you'd be able to find a similar job here in the states to the one you're doing now.

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Retro said:

Perhaps the thread title could be changed to reflect that your work is game-inspired? The three threads you've made for each of your album don't hint at the content of your work; to most people it's just "Some guy making music". Perhaps "A Perfect State of Disarray: New and Free Gaming-inspired album" or something along those lines?

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Retro said:

I really think the best thing that could happen for you now is to get picked up for an indie game's soundtrack. Believe me; I'd love to be working on a game right now where I could send some work your way for a change, but I'm just not in that position. Maybe kick around the gaming side forums? There's usually a thread or two of people making their own games.

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