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Joined: March 14 2007
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 312
Posted: March 14 2011 at 22:46
...got it pre-ordered. VDGG must tour Canada again. I saw them in Hamilton, Ontario last time around. About 120 people showed up. They played their hearts out for such a small crowd.
Joined: July 19 2009
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 75
Posted: March 15 2011 at 00:22
Gooner wrote:
...got it pre-ordered. VDGG must tour Canada again. I saw them in Hamilton, Ontario last time around. About 120 people showed up. They played their hearts out for such a small crowd.
I was at this same show and it was fantastic. I couldn't believe how many people weren't there and they still put on a hell of a show. I'm still glad they played The Sleepwalkers, as I don't think it was originally on their setlist!
...Does anyone else think that "Smoke" sounds like it could have gone on David Bowie's Low?
Joined: April 02 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 202
Posted: March 16 2011 at 18:35
Currently on my second listen and very much enjoying it. My avatar suddenly became very apt!
I'm actually a relatively new fan of VDGG. I had only H to He and the 1 disc compilation for many years and although I thought bits were OK I was never all that inclined to explore further. Then over Xmas I dug out the compilation and something clicked for me. A couple of further purchases later and I had bought myself a ticket for the Barbican gig! I now have all studio albums except 'Aerosol' and have been in 'cramming' mode all year but thoroughly enjoying most of what I am hearing. Still a bit of a blind spot with H to He though...
First post, and I have to say I really quite like it. Not as good as their four best (The span from H To He to Still Life), but I think I like it more than The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other, making this my fifth favorite VDGG album. Favorite song is probably Embarrassing Kid.
This really is some great prog fit into bite sized pieces(I wouldn't characterize this as "pop", unless we're going to start using prog pop rock as a genre). I really don't have a single complaint about it, other than it could theoretically be better.
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14258
Posted: March 17 2011 at 08:09
Oh, well that is disappointing.
You have to respect the progenitors of prog.
They receieved a 5 star review and 2 4 star reviews, none from colloborators.
I would dare to say that 1 particular review could be dismissed as a mere farce, written by someone who does not understand the direction of the music or the album.
I checked the particular reviewers others, who rated Rush's debut 1 star, King Crimson's Beat and Three of a perfect pair both 1 star and VDGG's Pleasure Dome 1 star. Thats enough to lose credibility for me. Furthermore there are 1502 ratings only and 1 review for VDGGs latest.
Entitled to his opinion of course but it won't stop me from getting the album.
Joined: September 01 2009
Location: Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Posted: March 17 2011 at 10:07
On first impression it's like an average Hammill solo album for me. Luckily VDGG and Hammill albums tend to improve with listening.
EDIT: After 3 listen, I've decided to skip the first 3 tracks from now on, especially Highly Strung is ouch-y. From track 4 onwards it's a fairly nice album.
Joined: July 31 2004
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Points: 5964
Posted: March 17 2011 at 11:43
On first full listen there are plenty of strong, memorable melodies which wasn't true of much of Present or Trisector, and the whole thing sounds so much BIGGER than Trisector. Not sure if that's down to overdubs, increased use of guitar, mixing/production or a combination thereof, but the tunes themselves seem more in line with that big, melodramatic VDGG sound than any of Trisector did. I don't agree with that "Hammill solo album" accusation at all. Banton's unmistakable organ gives it that unique Van Der Graaf quality, IMO.
Joined: November 16 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 864
Posted: March 17 2011 at 11:49
The Hemulen wrote:
On first full listen there are plenty of strong, memorable melodies which wasn't true of much of Present or Trisector, and the whole thing sounds so much BIGGER than Trisector. Not sure if that's down to overdubs, increased use of guitar, mixing/production or a combination thereof, but the tunes themselves seem more in line with that big, melodramatic VDGG sound than any of Trisector did. I don't agree with that "Hammill solo album" accusation at all. Banton's unmistakable organ gives it that unique Van Der Graaf quality, IMO.
Hear, hear. I think it's much better than the other two studio releases of this millenium.
I'm probably an idiot, but are there any reviews of this album on progarchives? Looking at the front page (and even with some searching) I couldn't find any.
Joined: November 16 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 864
Posted: March 17 2011 at 12:19
bucka001 wrote:
I'm probably an idiot, but are there any reviews of this album on progarchives? Looking at the front page (and even with some searching) I couldn't find any.
Never mind, found the reviews (thereby proving that I am an idiot... glad that's settled!)
Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17955
Posted: March 17 2011 at 13:38
bucka001 wrote:
bucka001 wrote:
I'm probably an idiot, but are there any reviews of this album on progarchives? Looking at the front page (and even with some searching) I couldn't find any.
Never mind, found the reviews (thereby proving that I am an idiot... glad that's settled!)
Hey but at least you are a smart idiot and solved your own problem....
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14258
Posted: March 18 2011 at 06:46
For listening purposes at least youtube has a few
here they are
Track list: 1. Your Time Starts Now 2. Mathematics 3. Highly Strung 4. Red Baron 5. Bunsho 6. Snake Oil 7. Splink 8. Embarrassing Kid 9. Medusa 10. Mr. Sands 11. Smoke 12. 5533 13. All Over the Place
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