van der Graaf Generator
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Category: Topics not related to music
Forum Name: General discussions
Forum Description: Discuss any topic at all that is not music-related
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3205
Printed Date: December 11 2024 at 19:59
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Topic: van der Graaf Generator
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Subject: van der Graaf Generator
Date Posted: January 22 2005 at 19:49
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I just ordered my first van der Graaf Generator albums, Pawn Hearts, and The Quiet Zone. Unfortuneately I have to wait 3-4 weeks before they arrive! Until then I was wondering if I could get some opinions as to what I can expect. Reviews are mixed for The Quiet Zone, and Pawn Hearts seems a sure buy. PS- I tried, but couldn't order Focus 3! What's wrong with this freaking world! |
Replies:
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 22 2005 at 20:38
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Hmm...you shouldn't have ordered The Pleasure Dome...not very good. Definitely their weakest lp aside from The Aerosol Grey Machine. Pawn Hearts is simply a 5 star masterpiece...but NOT easy to get into. Give it several listens and be patient. Do not let the dark weirdness scare you away. You should have ordered Still life or H To He... or even The Least We....
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Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 22 2005 at 20:44
Hey it's never too late to expand my collection. Thanks for the suggestion Gdub. I just liked the idea of having the album that is apparently a "bizzaro" van der Graaf. Mixed reviews interested me, then again that's why I got Duke .
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Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 22 2005 at 20:50
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Well the Pleasure Dome has its high points but overall a weak attempt to be more pop. I have heard they were forced into this line of thinking by their record company and that could have very well been the reason why it is their last studio lp. It also didn't help Hugh Banton and, more importantly, David Jackson were not present on that lp.... well David was , but just a small part on a song or two. |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 22 2005 at 21:29
Darn, I guess I'll have to get more van der Graaf Generator then.
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Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 22 2005 at 23:58
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This is the inner sleeve picture of Pawn Hearts....the same as my avatar. http://photobucket.com/albums/v229/gdub411/?"> |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:29
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Gdub, I had Glodbluff many moons ago. What other ones are like that?
Is that compilation 68-71 CD I saw worth it? ------------- 
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:39
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Good to know I'm getting advice from a real fan Gdub. I fell in love with them after the first song I heard. Hammil's voice is amazing, he's up there right beside gabriel, who's just behind Robert Plant. To make it there in my books is not easy. I can't wait to get Pawn Hearts! Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised by The Quiet Zone, but I already see that I'm going to be wnding up with a huge VGG collection anyway. ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:43
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Van der Graaf Generator is basicly devided into 2 periods. The 1st one includes the 1st 4 lps. A spacey, slightly psychedelic with jazz influence kind of music. The easier phase to listen to as well as Hammill's voice is in top form and you can see the growth of this band in creativity. Pawn Hearts is their peak as they really came to fruition as a band. The 2nd period is the more free form jazzy period. Harder to get into as the music is more challenging and Hammill's voice is rougher than the 1st phase. This includes Godbluff and on.The music is more mature as well as the lyrical content. I prefer the 1st period. |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:45
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So if I want voice, then I buy the first period. K00l. ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:46
| To answer your question directly Garion...I would say Still Life closely resembles Godbluff the most. |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:55
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Ok will check that out Gdub. Thanks
That is my introduction to them. If you feel somethin is better than that let me know. I respect your opinion on this band very much.
-------------
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
gdub411 wrote:
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:56
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I would rate his voice as a 10 in the 1st period and an 8 in the second. Also, if you enjoy VdGG I would highly suggest Peter Hammill's solo material...you'll notice an extensive amount of material there(43 lps total) get The Silent Corner and The Empty Stage. also realize these lps aren't love at 1st listen kind of material. These are growers, and if you give them a chance you'll be rewarded! |
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 00:59
I would get the material from their 1st period....ignore the very 1st lp and get The Least We Can Do...,H To He Who Am The Only One and Pawn Hearts....those are tops to me! |
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 01:04
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A quick synopsis of how I would rate them: The Aerosol Grey Machine=2 stars The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other=3 stars H to He Who Am The Only One=4 stars Pawn Hearts=5 stars Godbluff=3 stars Stilllife=4 stars World Record=3 stars The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome=2 stars
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Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 07:04
The Pleasure Dome is a pretty good album taken on its own terms. It was actually quite ahead of its time - new wave and post punk acts like Magazine and PIL would start making very similar music in the early 1980s. It is a disappointing VDGG album, but an interesting product of its era. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: goose
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 07:11
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Why is this "discussions not related to music"? Must be James Lee's influence  |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 07:53
I think Godbluff is a great album. Sleepwalkers is one my favoutire VDGG songs. BTW, you can order Focus III from http://www.amazon.co.uk - www.amazon.co.uk But there is apparently only 3 left in stock. Better get in there quick, before I do ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: DallasBryan
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 10:13
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like gdub411's rating system, those would be a good
place to start and if you love it get the rest. Most are not going to be able to get past Hammillisms! Pawn Hearts being my favorite but I dont hold it in high esteem like many others. Believe me you either like them or dont care for them. Hammill is an acquired taste! Pawn Hearts=5 stars Stilllife=4 stars H to He Who Am The Only One=4 stars might add Peter Hammill - In Camera=4 stars though I would take off a star aleast on these, but I am not a big fan. this thread should be moved to main discussion |
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 13:14
Godbluff is an excellent album...and my heart would want to give it 4 stars, but logically it deserves only 3. 3.5 stars actually. Too short. P.S....I love Sleepwalkers as well....especially the cha,cha part. |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 13:27
 Well done, Gdub -- very helpful and imformative! ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 13:43
Je kon Focus 3 niet bestellen? hier wel: http://www.musicstore.nl - www.musicstore.nl €11,99! Op die site kun je HEEL VEEL progrock vinden. Je moet alleen een MusicStore in de buurt hebben... Waar woon je? |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 13:48
I wish. I live in Canada right now. The best music store ony has compilation Focus albums, and the BBC sessions. ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 13:50
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Now that I think of it my Oma is going back. I'll ask her to pick it up for me! ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 13:56
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So you're Dutch, but you're living in Canada right now? Then you're "location" is incorrect! Rob The Plant |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 14:22
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I know. ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: January 23 2005 at 14:41
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Good question man. ------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: January 24 2005 at 04:10
A common problem with albums recorded in the 70's, too short!!! I love the driving, droning middle section of Sleepwalkers, with its blaring sax and heavy hammond organ leading to that intense moment of drama when Hammills vocals return: Tonight, before you lay down ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: January 24 2005 at 05:48
Agree totally with your assesment of Pawn Hearts. A difficult but ultimately very rewarding album. Glad for the advice about TPD and TAGM.  ------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill |
Posted By: JrKASperov
Date Posted: January 24 2005 at 12:47
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Prematurely curtailed ... by the brain! ------------- Epic. |
Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: January 24 2005 at 15:17
Let me stress, though, that neither of these albums are bad. They are just a not very good representation of what VdGG was all about. These are albums one should look into only if you find this band remarkable and also after the other 6 are purchased. Get some of the solo stuff 1st before these two as well. |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: January 25 2005 at 05:35
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names: JrKASperov (on the right) and Joren (on the left) |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 14:59
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We're so hot (and so off-topic) but nobody seems to be paying attention |
Posted By: JrKASperov
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 16:10
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Now we're hot sad.
------------- Epic. |
Posted By: Eelco
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 17:00
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Met zo'n gelukzalige lach om je lippen vraag je je af wat jrKasparov met zijn rechterhand aan het doen is. Excuses for the dutch intermezzo, but I just couldn't find the right words in English. I guess I should have paid more attention in english class at school. |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 17:24
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I'm glad the other ones couldn't read that! |
Posted By: Reed Lover
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 18:03
at a guess-something to do with JK's hand? ------------- 
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Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 18:06
yeah so what do you think Eelco said? |
Posted By: Reed Lover
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 18:09
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He'd like to know what JK is doing with his right hand..... -------------
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Posted By: gdub411
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 19:04
Well translaters sometimes aren't perfect but this is what I came up with... With such blissful laugh your lips wonder themselves you what is jrKasparov with its rechterhand for doing......... obviously not perfect but nice. |
Posted By: Rob The Plant
Date Posted: February 06 2005 at 22:21
Sick minds, that's what happens when you get too liberal eh Gdub.
------------- Collaborators will take your soul. |
Posted By: Joren
Date Posted: February 08 2005 at 06:59
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HEY! JrK and I don't support Bush!!! Nice translation though, gdub! |
Posted By: Velvetclown
Date Posted: February 08 2005 at 07:00
------------- Billy Connolly Dream Theater Terry Gilliam Hagen Quartet Jethro Tull Mike Keneally |
Posted By: JrKASperov
Date Posted: February 08 2005 at 07:54
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My girlfriends hips are amazing... *dream* In other news: I do like some bush. ------------- Epic. |