V.D.G.G (One More Time Pt 2)

A successful reunion doesn’t even come close to describing the triumph of Van Der Graaf Generator’s Present. The line-up is the same as their classic Godbluff/Still Life/World Record albums of the seventies: Hugh Banton on Organ and Bass, Guy Evans on drums, David Jackson on Saxes and flute and Peter Hammill handing the vocals, piano and guitar. On Present it’s like they’ve never been away and most importantly do not sound the least bit dated. If you’re worried about this being trot-out-the-relics time, rest easy.

I’ve been of the opinion that they have always stood head and shoulders above their prog rock contemporaries primarily because they never fell for the muso indulgences of their peers and had an edgy musical aggression to spare which may explain John Lydon’s oft-mentioned fan status. Hammill who was never the sweet-tempered singer-songwriter at the best of times sounds downright pissed on ‘Every Bloody Emperor’ and ‘Nutter Alert’. There is a second disc of in the studio improvisations, which are fine, and you should treat them as what they are: a bonus look and listen.

Al Telstar