STILL LIFE

VdGG struck gold on this one. IMHO their best effort. They combine all the things we love about VdGG into one stellar album. The poignant, emotional lyrics and vocals of Peter Hammill who has never sounded this time truly testing all the octaves his voice can achieve. Hugh Banton's organ never sounded swirlier. Hugh easily fills up the space left by Peter's minimal guitarwork with both organ and synth while perfectly matching Peter for every note he hits. David Jackson gives us his best brasswork: both melodic and emotional without ever sounding atonal (which is the downside to Pawn Hearts.) Guy Evans while being simplistic throws down some incredible percussives that perfectly match the songs. His most aggressive and pleasing drumwork without ever overstepping his boundaries.

Pilgrims sets the feeling for the album in a melancholic mood that eventually raises into hope. David Jackson's sax makes this song; his solo at the end defines the mood of the song.

Still Life is Peter's expression of his fear/distaste for marriage and this time it is hughs organ that makes the song.

La Rossa is Peter weighing the options on a certain girl but cannot decide whether or not to make love and create a new relationship or remain abstinant and relish the old one. The intro by Hugh is perhaps my favorite with his Wakeman-esque flicker of the fingers on his plunky hammond. Guy's use of the cowbell in this song was unexpected but thoroughly enjoyed. There is one section in the ("take me, take me away") that just gets your head bobbing and makes you want to...i dont know what i would do but it makes me happy. David and hugh match each other in their solos and sound great doing so. one of my faves.

My room is a slower number that inspires some amount of despair. Peter's piano is a great accompaniment to hughs organ and bass pedals while davids sax matches peters voice and keeps the song going with a slow background solo throughout the entire song.

childlike faith in childhoods end raps up the album with the longest comp on the album. a slow started that grows into an incredible track that exemplifies Peter's feeling of hopelessness and despair. he once again explores the realms of existence and how we all live our lives and whether or not it is worth living. soon we realise that his probing of his existance has led him to the conclusions which he so eloquently wrires. this song does all this while still rocking your socks off. the combonation of all 4 instruments in their accented punches gives the song a real umph. david's sax solo is incredible along with peter hammill's seldom heard electric guitar which he executes quite well. awesome.

this album is incredibly well produced far surpassing that of its predecessor (which is an incredible album in its own write.) each song is brilliantly executed and the compositions are complex yet melodic and easily enjoyed. there is not a single part of this album that i have to say "o i cant wait for this next part.." all of it is part of the masterpiece. i dont know if my words can do justice to my feelings for how incredible this album is. the darker side of prog is incredible and peter hammill is truly a master of words and expression. i think i will let all five stars do the talking.