GODBLUFF

My second Van der Graaf album, Godbluff is a seamless journey like its predecessor Pawn Hearts. Peter Hammill delivers possibly his best vocal performance here, singing with great emotion and furious expressions. One of the best parts of the music, and VdGG in general, is that the music really is like a journey. Though heavily reliant on vocals, the music really is not only the sum of the parts, but the story they tell. More than any other band, even Genesis, VdGG manages to implant images and express complex ideas and concepts fluidly. This album is no exception. There is no flowing concept of which I know, yet the music seamlessly flows. The imagery lies throughout the work, and as it progresses, it becomes even greater. The songs standout solo, but the true value is the sum of the parts. Regardless of how one listens to this album, it still has several elements that are accessible, and others that are not so accessible. To fully appreciate this album, several listens may be needed. The Undercover Man, in my opinion, remains the weakest song on the album, yet is not bad by any means. In fact, it's still nearly flawless in its delivery. The next two songs are of similar quality, and they each are fantastic. The finale, The Sleepwalkers, is my favorite, containing everything for which a prog fan could possibly ask.