68-71

Van Der Graaf Generator

Eclectic Prog

3.61 | 41 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Hair raising stuff

This was my introduction to the strange world of Van Der Graaf Generator. Released in 1972, the album retailed at a budget price, purporting to represent the best of the band up until that point. The tracks selected are taken from the first three albums, but not the 1971 album "Pawn Hearts".

What I particularly like about this collection is the fact that it was compiled by the band. At the time of it's release, VDGG's first album "The aerosol grey machine" had not been released in the UK due to contractual issues. It would eventually appear in 1973, after Hammill had negotiated himself out of the contact he had entered alone. The two tracks from it included here, "Afterwards" and "Necromancer", were therefore rarities as far as UK fans were concerned. Early US versions of the first album omitted "Necromancer", replacing it with "Giant squid". The other rarity here is "Boat of a million years", which originally appeared only as the B side of a single version of "Refugees".

Almost half of each the "H to He. . ." and "The least we can do. . ." albums is here, the total running time of almost 51 minutes making for excellent value for an LP. While the band were never considered to be commercial, it is admirable to find a feast of long tracks included, even the single "Theme one" is overlooked.

As a collection, this album works well on two levels. It offers a superb introduction to this unique group and it stands as a coherent and enjoyable experience in its own right. If only all compilations were put together this well!

Easy Livin | 4/5 | 2007-8-26

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