PATIENCE

No one would argue the work and the existence of Peter Hammill in progressive rock arena. Not that he was one of pioneers of 70s prog rock but he has a unique voice that I have not been able to identify any other voice similar to his. One thing that really unique is in his low-tone voice. So different with other singers, so powerful. I first realized how powerful his voice is when I listened to VAN der GRAFF GENERATOR's "Still Life" album. It's an excellent album especially when I noticed how Hammill sings.

This album is excellent. The uniqueness of HAMMILL's voice is still there. The music was composed beautifully with similar kind of VdGG music. In some tracks there are pan- pipes sound played by David Jackson at background. This sound is terrific, even though the pan-pipes itself does not take the lead for a melody.

"Labour of Love" is a nice slow track with Hammill low voice power. This track is well positioned as an opening track. "You don't remember all the things I've done / You never catch the careful words I choose / Your present will not admit my patient efforts - It's a labour of love I offer to you." It's a very nice opening. The next track "Film Noir" is a more upbeat tempo.

These tracks deserve for attention: "Patient", "Just Good Friends", "Jeunesse D'oree", "Comfortable?" "Traintime". "Patient" is capable of projecting an image to the listener the nuances of a patient waiting for the doctor to come. I especially like the use of violin in this track. It's really good. "Just Good Friends" may have inspired FISH in his "Internal Exile" where he used the same title. Or is it Hammill's song? I don't recall it. For sure, FISH admires Peter Hammill.

"Traintime" at the opening (the keyboard/organ sound) reminds me to GENESIS's "Watcher of the Skies" even though I know that this probably a coincidence (well.. I hope .. since there was no such correlation between VdGG and GENESIS, I think.).

Overall this album is excellent with a very strong songwriting and musicianship. The bass player (Mozart & Nic Potter) play dominantly in some tracks. The only drawback, if I could say it, of this album is that not enough varieties offered. Each song has little variety with others so that it tends to be boring. With the exception "Patient" which has different atmosphere. If you like VdGG, you definitely want this album in your prog collection. - Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.