Van der Graaf Generator (UK)Godbluff (1975)Genres: heavy progressive, dark progressiveVan der Graaf Generator's comeback after a four year vacation. The sound and approach differs somewhat from that of their previous effort; “Pawn Hearts” (by many regarded their masterpiece). This time the songs are more “to the point”, with lesser use of overdubs and studio tricks. Regardless of what you think about the change it is easy to understand that they couldn't go any further in the same direction. King Crimson was in a similar position after their praised debut album, the difference is that they didn't realise that it was futile to try to improve the concept.
The music on this record is dark, intense, rather heavy (without lead guitar!) and somewhat jazzy, but far from jazz rock. Actually you get the feeling that it is pretty far from just about everything. The sound is (as always, but now even more clearly) dominated by the saxes of Dave Jackson, the organ textures of Hugh Banton and the voice of Peter Hammill. Jackson does everything you might expect from a lead guitarist, and a lot more, with his saxes, while Banton provides the foundation with his subtle and unique organ playing. He must be the only prog keyboardist that no one could accuse of wankery (well, I guess there are people who consider the very presence of the organ wankery). Most people into prog seem to appreciate the music, but some have trouble coping with Peter Hammill's vocal delivery. His voice is certainly intense (or grating if you belong to the other camp), as can be heard on the third track “Arrow”. I belong to those who love the music as well as the vocals, and “Arrow” happens to be my favourite track of the album. Hammill really spits out the words in a furious way, and I guess it boils down to if you feel that he can match his intensity with credibility.
This is a masterpiece and a good place to start if you are new to Vdgg. Just don't expect “Pawn Hearts” to be better, you might be disapointed.
This is the VdGG comeback album after some years apart (may not be the real truth since I guess all Graafers were involved in Hammill’s solo work in the 71-74 era) and the result is “Godbluff” with four 10-minute songs on it. It’s dark and heavy stuff presented here from opening “The Undercover Man” to closing “Sleepwalkers”. Well the opening track can be omitted from this ‘cause it’s a more light number on which Hammill sings rather soft and calmly and the music flows rather undisturbed, but after that track the dark, heavy stuff comes forth.
David Jackson’s saxophones screams and quirks their way through the songs, underpinned by Hugh Banton’s gloomy organ and Guy Evan’s precise drumming. Peter Hammill whispers, screams (he doesn’t really scream, it’s more like some utterly strange way of singing, spitting forth the lyrics as the other reviewer writes in his review), sings and outbursts his way along the album and probably plays some guitars and keyboards too.
A very tight album packed with some incredible music of dark and heavy progressive but also with strong melodies and dramatic hooks, resulting in the best VdGG album and one of the top progressive records ever done.
