THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS WAVE TO EACH OTHER

The beginning of the successful saga of the British would not start with the psychedelic and rudimentary "The Aerosol Grey Machine" (which took the name of the band more for contractual than musical reasons), but thanks to their second release, "The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other", an album that made its way in the dawn of the progressive scene of the early 70's.

The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other" contrasts dark landscapes like the demanding "Darkness (11/11)" and David Jackson's incisive saxophones almost on the verge of asphyxiation, and the spell of "White Hammer" and its disconcerting ending, with sublime moments of luminous fragility like the beautiful and unmissable "Refugees", where an emotive Peter Hammill, without falling into the mellow, caresses the verses instead of singing them. But it is not until the last track of the album where the full-fledged progressive traces of VDGG arrive, the extensive and intricate "After the Flood". Hugh Banton's keyboards and David Jackson's saxophone engage in an intense overlap for the spotlight, while Hammill accompanies them with acoustic guitar and his particular vocal stamp. All in all, an ideal closer for the album.

"The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other" is, besides a very good album, the basis for the consolidation of the band's future sound. From that moment on, VDGG would privilege the development of extensive songs impregnated with jazzy elements, unhinged improvisations and sublime melodies, all wrapped up by Hammill's enveloping personality.

4 stars