VITAL

A cool live performance. Though some classical songs like Still Life happen to be slightly twisted, VDGG(VDG, I guess) shows a nice energy, the kind of energy I'd expect on a gig of this particular band(specially with young Hammill handling an electric guitar). The violin-cello combo works out well counterbalancing the heavy guitar work. Pioneers over c got pretty cool on the album and the medley is excellent(the piano intro kills me) and the new songs are surprisingly rocky and good. Ship of Fools has a King Crimson taste(it reminds me of Red and 21st Century...) and opens up the record pretty well(if only it was present in a previous album, with Banton on the Hub...). But Vital has its cons: Too much emphasis was given to the vocals and electric guitar that is hard to pay attention on the other instrumental parts, but that is a matter of production, I guess. And a crucial point: It sounds nice but it doesn't sound like classical VDGG(it even doesn't sound much like The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome). Banton's abscence is a pity. Maybe a live album of the kick-ass-quartet would have been much more pleasant, we just can wonder. Not essencial but not to be thrown away either. The VDGG(and VDG) fans, already familiar with their discography should appreciate it. But that is not a good choice if one's just started in the VDGG world (actually that album should be the last Graaf's record to be heard).