World Record (1976)
About as loose and jammy as VDGG gets - which is to say this is still mostly charted and complex music. I really like this, more than the predecessor Still Life, though I should caveat that with the fact I haven't heard that album since the late 90s.
Ownership: 1976 Mercury (LP). Acquired in 2023.
First copy: 2005 Virgin / Charisma Japan (CD). Papersleeve. Includes 2 live bonus tracks. Acquired in 2018.
6/4/18; 7/9/23 (review)
Godbluff (1975)
Van der Graaf Generator is not a band I ever crave to listen to. Not a single one of their albums contains a piece of music I can recollect. Sometimes I just get in the mood to hear a very specific album in my collection. But Van der Graaf Generator isn't that band. Having said that, I find myself enjoying all of their albums throughout the 70s. They are dense, complex, and not an easy listen. But they aren't difficult to listen to either. Definitely not background music though! Peter Hammill can be a bit much at times, sounding more like a mental patient than a lead singer. But the rest of the band is always on point. Hugh Banton's organ, David Jackson's woodwinds, and Guy Evans on drums is pure gold. I took in two full listens last night, but don't recall much about it already. If I were to pick a favorite from Godbluff, 'Arrow' would be the one. Overall I find Godbluff to be no better or worse than any of their other recognized classics. Seems it will always be this way.Ownership: 1975 Mercury (LP). Acquired in 2022. First copy: Caroline Blue Plate (CD). Acquired in 1998.
1998; 12/16/20 (review); 1/9/23
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other (1970)
Honestly I find Van der Graaf Generator impenetrable at times. They're definitely not a head groovin' band that's for sure. They were so original and ahead of their time, it's somewhat staggering really. It's easy to understand why the band draws a fanatical base. At some point, I should just play this over and over for about a week and start to learn the compositions. This was the exact type of effort I applied to Yes when I was about 15. And that's what is needed here.
Ownership: 2005 Virgin Japan (CD). Papersleeve edition. With Peter Hammill and Mark Powell's English liner notes embedded into the Japanese insert. Includes a replica of the original (rare) poster. Also includes a full 45 single as bonus tracks. Acquired in 2005.
Van der Graaf Generator is not a band I ever crave to listen to. Not a single one of their albums contains a piece of music I can recollect. Sometimes I just get in the mood to hear a very specific album in my collection. But Van der Graaf Generator isn't that band. Having said that, I find myself enjoying all of their albums throughout the 70s. They are dense, complex, and not an easy listen. But they aren't difficult to listen to either. Definitely not background music though! Peter Hammill can be a bit much at times, sounding more like a mental patient than a lead singer. But the rest of the band is always on point. Hugh Banton's organ, David Jackson's woodwinds, and Guy Evans on drums is pure gold. I took in two full listens last night, but don't recall much about it already. If I were to pick a favorite from Godbluff, 'Arrow' would be the one. Overall I find Godbluff to be no better or worse than any of their other recognized classics. Seems it will always be this way.Ownership: 1975 Mercury (LP). Acquired in 2022. First copy: Caroline Blue Plate (CD). Acquired in 1998.
1998; 12/16/20 (review); 1/9/23
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other (1970)
Honestly I find Van der Graaf Generator impenetrable at times. They're definitely not a head groovin' band that's for sure. They were so original and ahead of their time, it's somewhat staggering really. It's easy to understand why the band draws a fanatical base. At some point, I should just play this over and over for about a week and start to learn the compositions. This was the exact type of effort I applied to Yes when I was about 15. And that's what is needed here.
First copy: Caroline Blue Plate (CD). Acquired in 1998.
1998; 11//05; 10/30/16; 4/19/20 (review)
Also own: The Aerosol Grey Machine; H To He Who Am The Only One; Pawn Hearts
Formerly owned: Still Life; Vital Live
4/19/20 (new entry)
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