STILL LIFE

Every now and then things change, people change, lives revolve around a myriad different meanings. Walking home through the rain alone, fragments of thoughts darting in and out of your conscious mind, shards of music, heard, familiar and uknown "I climb though the evening" hits home what's that, a hymn, yes a modern hymn uplifting (not religious) but bloody uplifting nonetheless. "Pilgrims" starts of this album in striking mood, familiar but brand new like (most) of the best music it sits comfortably with you straight away with a soaring sax line and tremendous rhythm.

The titular track itself brings a sombre mood to proceedings but boy how good it feels to be this dirty and grimy, Hammill seems to bring a scornful, menacing mood to marriage ("my wife", sung so sourly), but surely beauty will seep through, sure there are snatches, but this is as low and dirty as it could get.

"La Rossa" what a change from the previous piece, sexy, as sexy as VDGG get, ever, you can imagine the sweat pouring from each pore as the music grinds down, whether a sexy, rhythmic song by design who knows, but it sure feels that way.

"My Room (Waiting for Wonderland)" again changes the mood, now this is a beautiful song heartbreaking in parts the way Hammill sings some lines ("I wait by the door wondering when you come and keep me warm") sends a shiver down the spine even 20 years after first exposure.

A classic album then sure "Childlike Faith..." is an epic sometimes overwrought, painful even in some aspects what else can you expect from this group they won't let you go gently, oh no, so a five star classic (only bettered by Pawn Hearts) in VDGG's canon. Give it a go, what have you to lose?