TRISECTOR

5 stars. I don't know my exact motives for 5 stars, I have only had this album for a little longer than a week but that has given me sufficient listening time for it. I have enjoyed this to no end. I don't know if its just the fact that this may be one of the only rock bands who in their older age can release records rivaling their finest ones of years past, or just the fact that it is a simply great record.

I hear a depth...a passage of time that so occupies Hammill's songwriting, being fulfilled and expounded upon here. I hear three musicians who manage to make up for the loss of their amazing sax player with well put together instrumentals combining Hugh's powerful organ (and even great bass guitar playing on a few tracks) Guys intensely talented drumming, and Peters uniquely beautiful guitar and keyboard work. It seems the Van Der Graaf of old has matured and decided to produce something they can be completely proud of and can perform with intensity.

Peter can still sing. No doubt about it. Not only can he still sing, even after the years of smoking his voice retains its former beauty and, at times, harshness. I have NEVER heard a rocker of his age sing so well. Amazing. Don't ask me how he has kept it up, but I love the fact that he has.

The songs : What I have found interesting about them

1. The Hurlyburly - I hear a collision of Van Der Graaf intensity (Something like the middle instrumental in The Sleepwalkers) with surf rock. Surf Rock? Yes, kind of odd but Hammill's tremelo bar usage and Guy's 60's style drumming really reminds me of it. This one rocks and opens the album with a bang.

2. Interference Patterns - After I listened to this for the first time, a knowing smile crept across my face...I thought Van Der Graaf can create a very deep musical landscape in under 4 minutes...wow It really is a disconcerting listen that totally enjoys its place as a bearer of heavy and difficult Van Der Graaf Generator riffs.

3. The Final Reel - Beautiful usage of piano and chording. I don't know how they write em like these but this one really blows me away...also Guy uses brushes which is a bit of an oddity for VDGG. There is a chord in this song that will make the hair on your neck stand on end. And you will love it.

4. Lifetime - The inverted chords of which Hammill and Hugh have been known to use come to phenomenal usage on this amazingly dark but beautiful song. Lyrically astounding. Almost minimalist in its instrumentalism...Guy is reduced to great effect to a simple hi-hat rhythm at the start (not simple to play, just simple sounding) that brings to mind Miles Davis' In A Silent Way This one is a treasure and a sure classic.

5. Drop Dead - And here we are with the first riff-rocking song on the record. I don't mean riff-rocking as in repetitive or anything, this one does rock and is a bit angry, showing why Hammill had an essential part in the formation of punk. Put your fist in the air.

6. Only In A Whisper - Again I hear a similarity to Miles Davis - the electric piano combined with Guy's subtle fusion drumming and Hughs pristine bass tone. Of course we have Peter Hammill singing to great effect with his wonderful voice. Truly a good song and a good fusion of talents.

7. All The Before - Wonderfully catchy and moving. It sounds trite on paper and is a classic example of people talking about being old but for some reason this time it works. He loses his glasses but this song is done in a way that makes you want to go find them for him rather than point and laugh. It is kind of a welcome break from the more heavy subject matter before delving into even more deep matter. Wonderful song with a great riff.

8. Over The Hill - I suppose this would be the centerpiece of the album. An epic definitely. People have likened it to Childlike Faith and that would be a fair comparison, sometimes majestic and huge, other times dark and dissonant. A true masterpiece of 12 minutes but with some odd little Gentle Giant'isms that might throw you off. Think of what Gentle Giant would write in the dark. The lyrics detail standing fast in a way that is quite original and inimitable. They can still write the epics.

9 - (We Are) Not Here - I would have asked for something slow and quiet to close the album but was pleasantly corrected with this prog rocking closer that both rocks and is dark. With such a taste for what is necessary for the album, the crew creates yet another song that works in harmony with the others and closes the album perfectly.

And there it is. I do believe this a wonderful album and one of the best records I've ever heard from a band that is Over The Hill

To achieve such as they do after such a long time of being in the music business and growing older is quite a feat, but I do believe even if I didn't know the situation I would still be engrossed by the music. Thats what it is all about isn't it? The music? Yes, and Van Der Graaf Generator have done it. They have made wonderful music.

5 stars. Please. Buy this album.