Van Der Graaf Generator - Godbluff

BadCatRecord, Nov 12, 2008

In an effort to hop onboard the punk and new wave jugernaut, the mid-1970s found record companies signing virtually any band with at least one band member sporting a mohawk or a safety pin poking though a cheek. Against that marketing environment it was funny that Van Der Graaf Generator decided to reform in 1975. You also had to wonder what Mercury Records was thinking about (the leather jackets may have confused management into thinking these guys were punks in disguise), when they decided to release the groups comeback album - 1975s "Godbluff" in the States.

Self-produced, the comeback album showcased a series of four extended Peter Hammill penned tracks - the shortest number clocking in at almost seven and a half minutes. Hammills always been an acquired taste to my ears, his eclectic lyrics and occasionally braying voice not the easiest thing to get accustomed to. That said, VDGG fans rate this one pretty high in the catalog and it certainly had some moments. To my ears it sure sounded like a concept piece, but given Hammills highly personal lyrics Ive never been able to figure out what that narrative was about, leading me to the conclusion there simply wasnt a unifying theme. Dark, driven, and still complex, their sound remained firmly planted in the progressive camp, though in contrast to some of the earlier albums, musically this one was relatively commercial (remember were talking about VDGG here so Im using the term loosely). Tracks like The Undercover Man and The Sleepwalkers actually showcased recognizable melodies that you could have hummed if youd put your mind to it (be sure to check out the weird little cha-cha segment midway in Sleepwalkers). Mind you this wasnt an ELO album. Showcasing Hugh Bantons stabbing keyboards, Guy Evans jazz-influenced percussion, and David Jacksons aggressive sax and flute, Scorched Earth and Arrow showcased a much sharper edge. Arrow may have been the album highlight. Starting out like a bunch of bee bop jazz musicians who stumbled into a rock groove by complete accident, the song then mutated into a soft acoustic piece before a pissed off sounding Hammill started shrieking about what sounded like the reflections of a recent survivor of a battle.

"Godbluff" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) The Undercover Man (Peter Hammill) - 7:25
2.) Scorched Earth (Peter Hammill) - 9:48

(side 2)
1.) Arrow (Peter Hammill) - 9:45
2,) The Sleepwalkers (Peter Hammill) - 10:31

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