WORLD RECORD

This is the last album I got hold of to complete the VDGG collection and I must admit it is not one of my favourites, having no standout tracks and is quite forgettable. Perhaps it is being unfair to expect exceptional quality on an album during VDGG's difficult years, but they are capable of brilliance and 'World Record' simply never measures up, the bar is lowered considerably. Certainly 'Wondering' is the set piece that makes this a worthy purchase, a single that is more accessible than the average VDGG track. Hammill's vocal style is as full of conviction as ever with existentialist lyrical power, but the music is sub standard.

It begins with the flute driven 'When She Comes' with some inspirational lyrics and a great saxophone motif. The time sig is quirky and fun, but it did not hold my interest as I am so used to with other VDGG tracks.

'Masks' features oboe that is well played and some organ chord stabs are effective. It is a slow track until the guitar riff changes and the melody is reminiscent of other VDGG I have heard. There is nothing new here but this is still a better track than others on this album.

'A Place to Survive' begins with a rhythmic drum beat and a very interesting melody from organ and sax. This is another one of the better tracks with some rasping Hammill vocals and a great instrumental break with scorching blasts of sax and grinding organ.

The epic 'Meurglys III' is indulgent and disappointing, and nowhere near the standard of VDGG epics such as 'Plague of Lighthouse Keepers' which is now my favourite, don't miss this one. 'Meurglys III' goes on and on and on and loses its power midway through. Like the back end of a hospital gown, something is missing, and it feels more repetitive filler than a great multi-movement suite. There are moments but as a whole it doesn't hang together. In particular the instrumental section at the end is great VDGG but it is too little too late.

The album is satisfactory as far as that goes but there is little on offer here that can be recommended over classic albums such as 'Pawn Hearts', 'H to He...', 'The least we can do...' and 'Godbluff'. Indeed even the latest two albums bury this mediocre attempt.

However, here it is, take it or leave it, and if you are a completist you will no doubt need to get this, but it is not a good starting point by any means. I can recommend just about any other VDGG over this. It is a shame that the band were lowered down to this level after such a promising start. They are better than good but I am sorry, although I am addicted to these progenitors of prog, I just could not get into 'World Record'.

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