PRESENT

Like any VdGG fan I was excited about the news of their reunion. Even more so when a double-CD was announced. Perhaps I should have remembered my initial excitement many years ago every time a new Peter Hammill CD was announced, which eventually was always followed by some feeling of disappointment. Good, beautiful music often, but something vital was missing. Not to mention his concerts, which eventually became torments of boredom and made me decide not to bother anymore, even though he was performing just ten minutes from my home. Yes, perhaps my disappointment with Mr. Hammill should have been a sign to be suspicious, but somehow I thought the reunion would put PH back on the right track. But alas, my excitement dropped firmly when I heard the second CD would be filled entirely with improvisations. No excitement at all was left after hearing CD 1. Was that all? I know it´s not realistic to expect easy listening from VdGG. But then I didn´t. But I did hope for something memorable. God Bluff and Still Life were instant favourites that needed no repeated listenings for me to like. Of course they did get many repeated listenings, but only because there was something magic about them that made me want to come back. Not with Present, though. None of that magic at allI. It has a few good songs, enough for two stars, and no doubt I will play the album once in a while, but nothing that blows me off my socks. And it only lasts some 37 minutes! Perhaps after many listenings it will grow on me, but somehow I doubt it. And that´s just CD 1, the one with the actual songs. I haven´t even managed to listen to CD 2 in its intirety, it's such a waste of time. Contrary to part 1 this CD could be a decent length, about 65 minutes, but it's not difficult to fill a full CD if you just record sounds, is it? No compositions, no lyrics. Just play at will. Sad to think that Hammill soon declared that the reunion had been a one off thing. Even sadder to think that that one opportunity had been wasted on this half-hearted effort. I envy everyone who disagrees with me and hope to see the light one day. Until then, I consider this the worst album ever recorded by this once great band.