THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS WAVE TO EACH OTHER

This one really deserves five stars! The first of "The Fantastic Four" VDGG albuns is still a classic of prog-rock. The line-up was Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton, David Jackson, Guy Evans and then 16 years old Nic Potter; in other words, VDGG was really born (don't misinterpret me: "Aerosol Grey Machine" is a good album by all standards, but not as good as other VDGG releases). And what a birth! There are six great songs, and it's hard to pick one. "Darkness (11/11)" sets the tone, carrying listeners to the dark, creepy world of Peter Hammill; a great album opener. "Refugees" and "Out of my Book" are lighter, beautiful ballads; you can even play those songs to your mother or girlfriend. "White Hammer" and "Whatever Would Robert Have Said?" are more adventurous, the second one with electric guitar riffs which makes me remember of Robert Fripp (whatever would Robert Fripp have said?). And "After the Flood" has one of the rare (of course) chorus that makes you want to singalong with Hammill - but it's still a dense, complex tune, wich highlights Jackson's saxes and flute and Potter's fluid bass lines. This album should be in every prog-rock collection.