THE FUTURE NOW

Peter Hammil's first post Van Der Graaf Generator solo album has him bouncing all over the place trying to find a style. Playing most of the instruments himself, with only David Jackson on sax and Ghaham Smith on violin, Hammill tries out straight ahead (for him) rock, ballads, and a number of experimental tracks. Individually, most of the tracks work. But as an album, the melange gives the album a broken feel.

Of course, my favorite tracks are the most experimental, so I tend to listen more intently to Energy Vampires and Meiaevil. Jackson and Smith's contributions do give this a bit of a VDGG feel. And Hammill's occasional drum playing keeps the album from getting too pastoral.

Not bad, but I think Hammill hit his post VDGG stride on the next album, "PH7".