NADIR'S BIG CHANCE

I must admit i'm a little surprised at how low this is rated. I'm sure it's reputation as an album that helped inspire the Punk Movement doesn't help, but I also think that belief is misleading and over-done. Sure there's a couple of tracks that sound punkish but you can say the same about a couple of Brian Eno and ROXY MUSIC's songs as well back then. Peter Hammill himself says that "Fool's Mate" and this one are a collection of pop songs end of story, but even that is a little misleading because if anyone who's into pop music heard this album they'd say this is not pop. It's not that proggy that's all so...oh by the way Peter's VDGG mates help him out on this album which is a really good thing. By the time this album was recorded VDGG had decided to reform.They recorded this live in the studio and would do the same on the "Godbluff" album that they were about to record as VDGG.

"Nadir's Big Chance" is a powerful little number with Hammill's voice sounding rougher than usual. Gotta love the blasting sax. "The Institute Of Mental Health, Burning" is such a great title.This one stands alone really because it is so psychedelic sounding. "Open Your Eyes" has a chaotic intro then it settles with organ. Drums and sax come to the fore and this really sounds good just like VDGG. Check out the organ before 3 minutes. "Nobody's Business" is interesting with the vocals that echo while drums and sax standout. "Pompeii" opens with a beat and guitar as vocals join in before a minute. I like this. "Shingle Song" has reserved vocals and strummed guitar. A heavier sound before a minute with drums and sax. Love the instrumental section after 2 minutes. Hammill says his one regret with this album was the way the song "Airport" ends. Basically it stops suddenly like they cut the tape. He changed it a little on this re-issue so it's not as harsh an ending.This track is almost catchy until just before 2 minutes when it briefly turns aggressive.

"People You Were Going To" is my favourite. It's a remake of a single that the Keith Ellis-era VDGG originally recorded and released. Piano and drums to start as vocals join in. Sax follows.This one is all about the lyrics. Great song ! The instrumental section after 3 minutes is so good. "Birthday Special" is uptempo as Hammill spits out the lyrics. Even he admits this is punkish. "Two Or Three Spectres" is the longest track at almost 6 1/2 minutes and the only tune that Hammill wrote entirely with his bass.This one is catchy with vocals,sax and a beat leading the way.

Easily 4 stars but then again i'm a big fan of "Fool's Mate" so it just goes to show...