STILL LIFE

This album is another goose-egg for me going in. I have heard other VDGG songs, (so I have a clue of what to expect) but nothing from this album. I will be limiting my review to the 5 studio tracks, although since the 2005 reissue there is a bonus live version of the song called "Gog."

Track 1 - Pilgrims

We begin with Hamill's vocals following an organ melody. The rest of the band follows his vocal fermatas at the end of some of the lines. Then a drumroll on the floor tom, and possibly a bit of mellotron. Lots of long held notes. The beat becomes steady at around 2:20. The song is gradually building, then drops back down around 3:15. We return to the fermata type of vocals, but with a second vocal part joining in. Instrumentally, the organ is continuing to lead the way, with a tight rhythm section underneath. We get a big drum fill at around 5:50, followed by layered saxophone and other wind instruments. Solid opening track

Track 2 - Still Life

The vocals and organ start cold on low tones and dynamics. We have a slow build again starting with the second verse. Hamill has mastered the half talk-half sing vocal style. The band kicks into a moderate tempo groove at around 2:45. Hamill's voice becomes gruff. Hugh Banton's organ seems to be the musical foundation again, while David Jackson's horn parts provide the icing on top. If I didn't know better, I'd say Peter Hamill was German, not British? His singing always gives me German vibes. Nice instrumental textures with a piano close out the track nicely.

Track 3 - La Rossa

The VDGG organ & vocal foundation continues here. I might be detecting a little rhythm guitar here. The song becomes more rhythmic at about 40 seconds in. Oooh, cowbell! (lol..about 1:30). Nice 6-8 rhythm. Bluesy chord changes around 2:45. Nice intensity in the song. The level drops back down around 3:50. Guy Evans' drumming is mostly unassuming but is the glue holding everything together. At around 6:15, the rhythm changes and begins accelerating. Dynamic Changes are what MAKE a great VDGG song, and this one is chock full of them, along with tempo changes. I love the SOUND of this album. Great track

Track 4 - My Room (Waiting for Wonderland)

This time sax leads us in, with a gentle piano and rhythm section groove. Hamill shows us the lower part of his range on the opening verse. He goes to a higher register in the second verse. The arrangement is sparse so far. The intensity starts to build about at the half-way point, about 4 minutes in with a sax solo. Then it drops back down following the solo. If I am not mistaken, this is the first track on the album where a bass guitar handles the low end instead of keyboards. Then the song goes into a closing instrumental section featuring sax and piano. The final seconds though are filled with what gives the impression of a far-off alarm or siren. Are we being warned about the closing track?

Track 5 - Childlike Faith in Childhood's End

The closing epic (a prog hallmark) at over 12 and a half minutes long. We begin with vocals over a wind ensemble sound before the beat kicks in. We switch to organ at 1:30, before the wind instruments take over. Then we get a bit more steady rockin'. Hamill's more gruff voice returns at about 3:30. The instrumentation gets thicker, and guitar is featured for the first time on the album. We bring it back down again around 5:20. A bit of a half-time feel at around 6:30 with very intense vocals. Then marching style snare drum after the 7-minute mark leads to an odd meter instrumental section. Distorted guitar in the mix around 8:45. Then the vocals return in a very intense way following that. The rhythm changes back to half-time after 10 minutes in. Big vocals are leading us towards the ending. But things calm back down at around 11:25. Vocals over organ build back up to the big finish!

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

A very good album. VDGG aren't my favorite band, but I do like their music. Hamill is a very intense guy, for sure, and I don't always need that intensity for long periods of time. Still, this band is indeed talented and made a good album here. 4 out of 5 stars.