ALT

A previous reviewer wrote "Unfortunately someone at the studio must have had a hole in their head to think that people would be genuinely interested in an album full of improvisations." Well, some vdGG fans are genuinely interested in this album! Yes, it is a mixed bag. In some cases, I think they took a long jamming session and excerpted the best stretch (a good idea). Lots of jazz drumming and crazy organ playing (Banton and Evans certainly know each other so well that they really can play off each other) or moody piano by Hammill (reminiscent of way back to "Fools Mate"). The last piece is reminiscent of early Tangerine Dream or Pink Floyd; another one could be a forgotten Fripp&Eno outtake; rarely is it "standard" vdGG fare. There is easily enough material here as seeds for a complete excellent album or two; perhaps it's a pity they didn't do that, but I am glad to have heard it nonetheless. It is odd to hear so much vdGG material without a word from Hammill; but I don't have a problem with that.

Rating Alt is tricky. I'll give it a a 3.5: it is pretty disjointed as an album, and it would be the last album I'd ever use to introduce a newbie, but the atmosphere it evokes in places is excellent. Maybe over time I'll tire of it, but right now I'm looking forward to my next listening ...