VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR: Present

Cover	Release	Style
	2005	progressive rock
	Label
	EMI / Virgin Records / Charisma
	Website
	www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk
	Contact
	Phil@VanderGraafGenerator.co.uk
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	(1) 37:34 - (2) 65:26	CDVD 2999
	Review by	Rating
	Christoph	9/10
nederlands	Review
Future will tell which 2005 reunion will be more significant: the Pink Floyd performance on Live 8, or the revived Van Der Graaf Generator. I put my money on the latter, since these English prog veterans have reinvented themselves with the baffling comeback album “Present”. 27 years after their initial disbanding, the classic VDGG line-up takes up where they left, as if they’ve always been there. Now we realize that the band has been sorely mist. Surely, the extensive Hammill solo repertoire succeeded in keeping our interest. But his declamatory voice blends so nicely with David Jackson’s haunting woodwind riffs and Hugh Banton’s deliciously nasty organ playing. The first disk takes off on the strength of such compelling songs like the opening “Every Bloody Emperor”, in which Hammill rages against the powers that be, and “Boleas Panic” with its hauntingly beautiful sax melody. More disorienting jazz-like art rock is evident on “Nutter Alert” and “Abandon Ship!”. “In Babelsberg” showcases Van Der Graaf extravaganza, by means of abrading guitar and sax while Banton and Guy Evans support with propulsive bass and drumming. The first CD finds its peace in the laid-back “On The Beach” that almost sounds like a new farewell. Let’s hope this proves wrong. I’m always restraint as it comes to improvisations. The second disk from “Present” will therefore not easily be played on my sound system. But admittedly, VDGG know how to put on a furious show here, demonstrating their capability to put a recording studio on fire for more than an hour. With “Present”, VDGG keep their hallmark sound intact. Like King Crimson, VDGG always were on the darker side of prog, and on the most adventurous side of music. Today, they still sound as uncompromising as ever. Really, it’s good to have them back.
Musicians
Hugh Banton: Organ, Bass Guitar Guy Evans: Drums David Jackson: Saxes, Flutes, Soundbeam Peter Hammill: Vocals, Electric Piano, Electric Guitar
Tracklist
CD One: Songs Every Bloody Emperor Boleas Panic Nutter Alert Abandon Ship! In Babelsberg On The Beach CD Two: Improvisations Vulcan Meld Double Bass Slo Moves Architectural Hair Spanner Crux Manuelle 'Eavy Mate Homage To Teo The Price Of Admission
Discography
The Aerosol Grey Machine (1968) The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (1969) H to He, Who Am the Only One (1970) Pawn Hearts (1971) Godbluff (1975) Still Life (1976) World Record (1976) The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome (1977) Vital (live) (1978) Present (2005)


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