THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS WAVE TO EACH OTHER

There are certain songs and albums that are able to bring me so much joy. I should also add to that vocals because when I hear Peter Hammill sing I can't help but smile. Mr.Hammill has said that this record is really their first proper album as it was truly a group effort where they put their hearts and souls into it.

"Darkness (11/11)" is the perfect opening track for this record and also one of my favourites. You can hear the wind blowing hard as bass and cymbals join in. Next up are the vocals, drums and sax as we now have a full sound. Now that's a way to build a song ! This is an amazing tune ! I don't know why but this brings out my emotions it's so freaking good ! "Refugees" features beautiful vocals and lyrics. Heart rending lyrics actually. Flute and cello only add to this atmosphere. Some powerful organ 3 minutes in.

"White Hammer" is about witch hunting in the middle ages. More incredible organ and lots of tempo changes. There is an amazingly heavy and dark passage 6 1/2 minutes in as Jackson plays some ripping sax with dissonant sounds to follow. "Whatever Would Robert Have Said ?" is a crazy, psychedelic flavoured tune about their name sake Robert Van Der Graaf who invented the static electricity generator. Some good electric guitar on this track. "Out Of My Book" is a mellow song with strummed guitar and organ. "After The Flood" is a mind blowing song ! There are mood shifts throughout and a nice flute solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Hammill is at his theatrical best and check out the wall of sound that ends before 7 minutes. Dissonant sounds to end it.

Easily 4.5 stars and a must have for prog fans everywhere. This is classic.