THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS WAVE TO EACH OTHER

Quite a good album this, my first from Vandy. It takes a long time to actually love it like I do, and it has some flaws, but it's good nonetheless. The only semi-bad thing is there is very little lead guitar, but its not that noticable.

Darkness is a very good opener, kind of dark, while kind of upbeat. Good melodies, they may take time to grow on you, but this song is very good I think. Great vocals, great lyrics. Great saxing at the end.

Refugees is a very emotional, pretty little song. Great opening with the flute/cello combo. Love the falsetto vocals, love the part where the organ signals the drums to begin, love the whole thing basically. Takes time to grow on you.

White Hammer is yet another great song, similar to Darkness in that it takes time for the beauty of the melodies and the cleverness of the lyrics to set in. Great cornet playing, good lyrics about the SPanish Inqusition. Also similar to Darkness because it's almost halfway between dark/brooding and light/upbeat. Although the end riff is pure scary heavy dissonance. Oooh. So good.

Whatever would Robert Have Said? is much like the other songs: hard to get into at first. This is pretty much the only lead guitar song on here though, and the melodies are for the most part good, weak in parts, but its all around a good song, if not as good as anything on Side 1.

Out of My Book begins with a DIsney-esque flute lick and it is a little too pretty for my tastes. Once the vocals enter the song gets better, it has some good melodies, all in all a pretty good song. It is however the worst on here.

After the Flood is the epic of the album, and it is very good for the most part. The main riff is good, because it switches on you from dark to light like halfway through. Very unique and clever. Love the lyrics. This song also features some cool scary dissonant parts, and one semi-annoying distorted voice part where Hammil says 'Total ANNIHILATION!' Its pretty good, but the melodies in parts are not uberstrong, so I think all of the songs on Side one are better. It is a good song though.

So this is overall a good album. HARD and I mean HARD to get into, it will take quite a few listens. Also, you need to like the guy's voice, which many do not. I for one LOVE peter Hammil's voice. So anyway good album, not a masterpiece, but Side One is near perfect, and Side Two is not bad by any means. Buy this. I happened to find it used at the CD store. Great Deal. I'm rambling now. Bye.