Prog Magazine Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time Challenge. Album #83 Van Der Graff Generator -Still Life.

 Originally posted to Facebook on November 2. 2023.

Link to Post:

https://www.facebook.com/share/iKEGycmhcrdw1WXp/?mibextid=oFDknk

Prog Magazine Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time Challenge. Album #83 Van Der Graff Generator -Still Life.

For info about the Challenge see this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=6684569734933012&id=100001401549636&mibextid=Nif5oz

When sharing your thoughts about this album, use the following scale to indicate how familiar you are with the album:

0- Never heard anything from this album, totally new to my ears.

1- I might have heard a song on occasion, or I know a big hit from the album but not the full album.

2- I've listened to the full album a few times, but it's been a while. Slightly familiar with it.

3- I listen to this album periodically, fairly familiar with it.

4- I have listened to this album many times. I know it inside out. Very familiar with it/expert level

I will post links for anyone who needs them to be able to stream it in the comments below. Remember, no matter what your experience level with the album going in, please listen to the album before commenting. I will post album #82 on Monday.

Enjoy! (And be nice!)

#100greatestprogrockchallenge

From Comments:

This album is another goose-egg for me going in. I have heard other VDGG songs, (so I have a clue of what to expect) but nothing from this album. I will be limiting my review to the 5 studio tracks, although since the 2005 reissue there is a bonus live version of the song called “Gog.”

Track 1 - Pilgrims

We begin with Hamill’s vocals following an organ melody. The rest of the band follows his vocal fermatas at the end of some of the lines. Then a drumroll on the floor tom, and possibly a bit of mellotron. Lots of long held notes. The beat becomes steady at around 2:20. The song is gradually building, then drops back down around 3:15. We return to the fermata type of vocals, but with a second vocal part joining in. Instrumentally, the organ is continuing to lead the way, with a tight rhythm section underneath. We get a big drum fill at around 5:50, followed by layered saxophone and other wind instruments. Solid opening track

Track 2 - Still Life

The vocals and organ start cold on low tones and dynamics. We have a slow build again starting with the second verse. Hamill has mastered the half talk-half sing vocal style. The band kicks into a moderate tempo groove at around 2:45. Hamill’s voice becomes gruff. Hugh Banton’s organ seems to be the musical foundation again, while David Jackson’s horn parts provide the icing on top. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Peter Hamill was German, not British– His singing always gives me German vibes. Nice instrumental textures with a piano close out the track nicely.

Track 3 - La Rossa

The VDGG organ & vocal foundation continues here. I might be detecting a little rhythm guitar here. The song becomes more rhythmic at about 40 seconds in. Oooh, cowbell! (lol..about 1:30). Nice 6-8 rhythm. Bluesy chord changes around 2:45. Nice intensity in the song. The level drops back down around 3:50. Guy Evans’ drumming is mostly unassuming, but is the glue holding everything together. At around 6:15, the rhythm changes and begins accelerating. Dynamic Changes are what MAKE a great VDGG song, and this one is chock full of them, along with tempo changes. I love the SOUND of this album. Great track

Track 4 - My Room (Waiting for Wonderland)

This time sax leads us in, with a gentle piano and rhythm section groove. Hamill shows us the lower part of his range on the opening verse. He goes to a higher register in the second verse. The arrangement is sparse so far. The intensity starts to build about at the half-way point, about 4 minutes in with a sax solo. Then it drops back down following the solo. If I am not mistaken, this is the first track on the album where a bass guitar handles the low end instead of keyboards. Then the song goes into a closing instrumental section featuring sax and piano. The final seconds though are filled with what gives the impression of a far off alarm or siren. Are we being warned about the closing track?

Track 5 - Childlike Faith in Childhood’s End

The closing epic (a prog hallmark) at over 12 and a half minutes long. We begin with vocals over a wind ensemble sound before the beat kicks in. We switch to organ at 1:30, before the wind instruments take over. Then we get a bit more steady rockin’. Hamill’s more gruff voice returns at about 3:30. The instrumentation gets thicker, and guitar is featured for the first time on the album. We bring it back down again around 5:20. A bit of a half-time feel at around 6:30 with very intense vocals. Then marching style snare drum after the 7 minute mark leads to an odd meter instrumental section. Distorted guitar in the mix around 8:45. Then the vocals return in a very intense way following that. The rhythm changes back to half-time after 10 minutes in. Big vocals are leading us towards the ending. But things calm back down at around 11:25. Vocals over organ build back up to the big finish!

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

A very good album. VDGG aren’t my favorite band, but I do like their music. Hamill is a very intense guy, for sure, and I don't always need that intensity for long periods of time. Still, this band is indeed talented and made a good album here. 4 out of 5 stars.