WORLD RECORD

For some reason, I rarely pick up this album when I want to listen to Van Der Graaf Generator. And I'm not sure why. It isn't bad. In fact, it has some great music on it. When She Comes ranks up there with some of the finest VDGG songs. A Place To Survive and Masks are also fine pieces.

But something happens during Muerglys III (The Songwriters Guild). It begins amazingly. It could have been one of this band's finest songs. It even stays intriguing as it morphs into a Pink Floyd- like extended solo section. Then they make a mistake. As a former member of a band, I understand just how easy it can be to lapse into an extended reggae rhythm. And when you extend it too long, as is done here, it can get boring. And to top it off, Hammill plays a simply dreadful guitar solo doring this section.

And all of this probably detracts from Wondering, which on any other VDGG album would probably fit better. But after the previous debacle, it just comes across as pompous.

A nice start, but a fumble at the end. 3 stars.