Van Der Graaf Generator - Trisector

Year of Release: 2008
Label: Virgin
Catalog Number: 50999 5 21030 0 1
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:16:00

The last year or two have been amazing for progressive rock. Some of the newer bands like the Tangent and Satellite have released brilliant albums that can stand as modern day classics. And many veterans have released CDs comparable to their best classic work. In many ways, Trisector takes all that was good and great about VDGG in the Halcyon Days and brings those elements to the forefront. The result is a flawless album, one that is destined to be one of the year's best.

For those unfamiliar with VDGG, the UK band fronted by the intellectual, emotional and highly prolific Peter Hammill, was one of the only early progressive bands that never sold out during the mid-seventies. While their sound changed and evolved like the others, it still was experimental and adventurous and never acquiesced to what was going on in music at the time. The odd thing was that Peter Hammill disowned the progressive label and much more vehemently than many others. Nonetheless, label or not, VDGG deserves a place in the prog hall of fame based on early works.

After disbanding the band around 1978, Hammill went on to produce nearly a solo album every year right up to now. But that wasn't enough. There simply was too much smouldering talent left and the original band reformed to produce an exceptional come back double CD, Present a few years ago. Not only was it still progressive, but it was very, very good. And though being updated and modern sounding, the release saw the band return to the style they perfected before morphing in the mid-seventies.

Now comes Trisector and the band is now stripped down to three. Amazingly, despite losing saxophonist Dave Jackson, the new release is even better. The music: let's not plug VDDG into a genre. It's rock, it's jazz, it's experimental, avante-garde, neo-classical, post rock, space rock, emo and psychedelic all rolled into one. Without the presence of sax, the band has focused more on the great keyboard work (mostly Hammond) of Hugh Banton. What's also remarkable that Hammill plays some exceptional guitar here, and rocks out like never before in places. And he's never done that before.

The lyrics are always serious; and the music melodic, atmospheric and somber. But the band knows how to have fun as evidenced on the opening rocker, the instrumental "Hurlyburly," a throwback and playful tip of the hat to the roots of rock and roll. One thing has never changed and that is these "old timers" still know how to play and they play their instruments as well as the best of them. "Interference Patterns" follows with Hammill's cerebral, cutting lyrics and perhaps the most avant-garde of melodies in this recording. It's not my favourite song but it shows that the band is here to do some seriously strange time signatures.

While most songs on Trisector barely break the 6 minute barrier, "Over The Hill" clocks in at 12 and a half. And it delivers everything VDGG is capable of.

Those who've heard Hammill's singing know his torturous, pre-emo delivery can be grating at times. The man can sing melodically as well as anyone, but when his lyrics of despair come pouring out, it can be an acquired taste. The good thing is, that never happens on Trisector. Hammill's singing is emotional, but never over the top. In fact, the album is complex and progressive, but remarkably ear friendly. If there are those who've never heard VDGG before this is the place to start. What an amazing thing to say about a band whose heyday was 35 years ago. Once Trisector burns its way into your soul like it did with me, it would be a likely venture to go back and sample the early stuff where their unique sound was initially forged.

Tracklisting:
The Hurlyburly (4:34) / Interference Patterns (3:49) / The Final Reel (5:47) / Lifetime (4:43) / Drop Dead (4:44) / Only In A Whisper (6:43) / All That Before (6:26) / Over The Hill (12:26) / (We Are) Not Here (4:04)

Musicians:
Hugh Banton - organ
Guy Evans - drums
Peter Hammill - vocals, guitar, piano

Discography:
Aerosol Grey Machine (1968)
The Least We Can Do Is Wave At Each Other (1969)
H To He Who Am The Only One (1970)
Pawn Hearts (1971)
Godbluff (1975)
Still Life (1976)
World Record (1976)
The Quiet Zone / The Pleasure Dome (1977)
Vital Live (1978)
Repeat Performance (1980)
Time Vaults (1982)
First Generation (1986)
Second Generation (1986)
I Prophesy Disaster (1993)
Madia Vale (1995)
The Masters (1998)
Darkness 76 (1999) The Box (2000)
Present (2005)
Trisector (2008)

Godbluff Live 1975 (2003) (DVD)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: May 24th 2008
Reviewer: Richard Zywotkiewicz
Score:
Artist website: www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk
Hits: 4508
Language: english