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Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts CD (album) cover

PAWN HEARTS

Van Der Graaf Generator

 

Eclectic Prog

4.43 | 2456 ratings

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Gog/Magog
5 stars "Lighthouses Might House The Key"

Yes indeed perhaps the pinnale of progressive rock for many (it is for me), how can you stand alone and voice your concerns about the world and its ever increasing lust for self destruction -- write a song as good as Lemmings thats how, its starts off so gently and by the middle its almost crushing you under its weight via the Cog section, but never having to resort to "LOUD GUITARS" or "BOMBASTIC DRUMMING" et al. That is the great strength of VdGG and Hammill in particular, to be overwhelmingly angry, but not just get loud expressing it.

Man Erg starts off beautifully, some people say this is a raw aggressive album, but to listen to this part you know you're listening to true song-writing genius and you have to wonder how Hammill is not more well known than he is, maybe if he followed the more melodic route he would have been. But by the end of Man Erg and the crazy sax breaks that just spin round your head you're again hooked and soaked in wonderment.

A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers is again just, just genius what a name for a song, how could you not pick up the LP/CD and listen to it with a song called that. Prog goes Sea Shanty for a short while and we all love it. The many sections of Plague again leave you caught between the beauty and the bizarre (The Clot Thickens), but evermore a grandiose ending leaves you exhausted but ready for another round.

So five stars and I have no problem OK'ing the dialogue box that will appear when I click it.

"All Things Are A Part" they are, and the parts fit perfectly.

Gog/Magog | 5/5 |

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