TRISECTOR

I don't like Van der Graaf Generator. I never have. And yet, since they have released a new album and have been kind enough to promote it through Prog Archives, I felt it incumbent upon me to at least listen to it.

And I was surprised, so I'm reviewing it to share my surprise with the rest of you.

VDGG has been stripped down to a trio on this release. Organ and drums, with Hammil covering vocals and throwing in guitar and piano as he sees fit. This isn't really a power trio in the ELP or Le Orme mode. These guys realize that the grand symphonic sound is beyond them (for the most part) and don't strive for it (again, for the most part.) And I find that their acceptance of their limitations is a welcome relief from much of what modern prog offers. The inevitable metal influence that pervades modern prog is thankfully muted, yet these guys don't pretend to be living in the '70's. The music is dark, but not bleak and uninteresting for the most part (something I have found VDGG guilty of in the past.) I find this an interesting way of furthering prog in modern times without resorting to the excesses of groups like The Mars Volta or the pandering to modern sensibilities like innumerable prog metal groups (think Queensryche or Tool here.)

Again, I am pleasantly surprised.

Three stars for this album. It's good. I don't expect that I'll listen to it again and again, but I do think I will probably put it on occasionally. There is a quality about it that begs you to listen closer, even if there is nothing compelling about it.

It's good. If you buy it, your money won't be wasted, even though there are better offerings out there.