Van Der Graaf Generator

Two words:

Pawn Hearts.

HI EVERYBODY.

Iván, my friend, don't you think that 'Pawn Hearts' is maybe too much for an introduction into the world of VdGG? Maybe Petra should try 'The Least We Can Do is Wave Each Other' or 'H to he Who Am The Only One' (albums 2 and 3). If nothing happens, and 'Still Life' doesn't grow, maybe there's no use trying 'Pawn Hearts'  - after all, it's their most intense and dissonant album.

But I agree with you in that 'Pawn Hearts' is their most amazing release.

Regards.

I recommend early VdGG for starters. A lot of times people are in 2 different camps. That of their early stuff., or their material from Godbluff and on. Someone recommended Godbluff to ya. If you didn't like Still Life you probably won't care for Godbluff either as they are similiar. It took me 1 listen to Pawn Hearts to fall in love with them. That would be my recommendation

Or you could just not bother.

I understand well the merits of 'challenging' music (my own collection contains many works that would make the average person flee in terror and/ or confusion) but after decades of waiting for VDGG/ Hammill to grow on me, I've pretty much decided it's not going to happen. I was exposed to the music when I first got into prog, and hated it. I found his vocals and lyrics pretentious yet adolescent and the instrumentation amateurish, with neither the power of classical, the technique or feel of jazz, nor the drive and energy of rock.

After a while I thought that maybe I hadn't been ready for them and tried again- and still hated them. Finally, after many more years, I came to this site and again read how amazing and unique and rewarding VDGG and Hammill were to so many folks, so I donated some time to "H to He" and "Pawn Hearts" (and even a few of Hammill's solo albums). Again, it not only didn't impress me, it actively irritated me and everyone around me, including my pets. My wife voiced a desire to strangle Mr. Hammill after hearing "Man- Erg"- and this is a woman who has no difficulty listening to Captain Beefheart or The Shaggs (although she does get testy when I put on The Legendary Stardust Cowboy).

Giving music a chance is one thing, but I don't think there's any point in wasting time trying to make yourself like something just because it works for a lot of other people- you might as well develop a taste for pop music if the weight of others' opinions means so much. Honestly, you can bring yourself to appreciate almost anything if you listen to it enough times with a receptive attitude. There are way too many good bands out there to spend all that effort on one that isn't working for you after a few listens.

Cesar Inca wrote: Iván, my friend

Did you think I was someone else there?

Anyway, Pawn Hearts was my introduction to the band, and while it took awhile for me to appreciate it, I can now safely say that I quite like it.

VDGG are a challnge for many people and they dont always grow on you. I had trouble with Godbluff and Still life. I thought they were generally dull and unremarkable albums with isolated moments of genius. I later heard Pawn Hearts which I thought was ok.

Without wishing to seem like a pleb, trumpeting the virtues of a 'Best of..' album, I think the best place to start with VDGG is a compilation called 'An Introduction - From the Least to Quiet Zone'

This is a collection of their finest, and most direct and memorable music IMHO. There is no faulting tracks like 'Sleepwalkers' 'Still life' 'Man-ERG' and 'Killer' They are full of passion, quirkiness and musical changes that keep interest levels up. I reccomend this album highly, and I am not a fan of their overall output. This is a gem, though.

James Lee may have a  point life is too short to waste time on music that doesn't connect after a few listens BUT i'm still curious to see what VDGG other material is like.

Blacksword another good suggestion but im always wary of 'Best of...' albums especially with Prog as its normally its the flow and atmosphere of complete albums that attracts me.

You should Try "The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome" if you don't like the music displayed on Still Life, on this recording the organ and sax isn't around, the bass is very dominant, and a violinist has been added.

For me it also only required one listen to Pawn Hearts to absolutely fall in love with this band. VdGG possibly ranks as my favourite of the old classic English prog bands, their sound is very unique, the emphasis on organ and sax, together with Hammill's eccentricities, voice and lyrics is really what distinguishes VdGG from other bands.