PRESENT

Van Der Graaf's "Present" is an excellent example of how a group of musicians can be honest to their past and at the same time offer new direction in their music. In other words, other progressive bands, when returned after their break-up, failed in one of these aspects (Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer are the most proeminent examples, King Crimson at his 80's incarnation comes in second place). The "honest" side is, of course, CD 1 at it's entirety, the "new directions", CD 2 and some fragments of CD 1: "Boleas Panic", Jaxon"s instrumental, and the lyrics for "On the Beach" (Peter Hammill makes mentions to a comic book character - "Silver Surfer"). As a VDGG fan, I am more than pleased with this collection, and maybe we can get a live album taken from the concerts that promote "Present" - let's keep fingers crossed. To all prog rockers: give this album a good listen before dismissing it. Highlights: "Every Bloody Emperor", "Boleas Panic", "In Babelsberg", "On the Beach", "Spanner", "Crux", "Slo Moves". This album should be a 5 star if it was a single one, because CD 2 improvs are a bit tiring in some moments.