THE QUIET ZONE / THE PLEASURE DOME

After a deterioration of the sound, which became almost difficult to listen in "World Record", Hammill understands that VdGG has lost that internal cohesion, that balance between the various instruments that determined the anguished and beautiful atmospheres of the first albums.

And so he decides to change the band's line-up and arrangements, to arrive at a much more essential, stringed sound, guided by guitars and violin. Nic Potter, the bass virtuoso who had done wonders on his early albums, returns, and Graham Smith arrives on violin, which influences much of the sound of the record, taking the place of Jackson's saxophone present only in two songs. Remains Guy Evans, Hugh Banton disappears.

- The Quiet Zone (LP side 1): 1. Lizard Play (4:29) 2. The Habit of the Broken Heart (4:40) 3. The Siren Song (6:04) 4. Last Frame (6:13)

1) Lizard's Play. Good rock start, syncopated rhythm, the sound of the violin immediately captivating, and the rhythm section with the virtuoso bass of Potter inaugurates the new sound, clear and sober, for VdG without Generator. A slow fade finish, which will be typical for the album. Vote 7.5/8.

2) Slower and gaunt ballad, with more instrumental diversion, more developed, which acquires good rhythm. We're listening to more art-rock than progressive. Rating 7.5.

3) Romantic dance with the piano that raises the quality of the album by focusing on what Hammill is master: the pathos. An instrumental cut-out ensues, perhaps the first truly progressive piece of the album, finally returns the sweet melody accentuated by the piano and the violin. Epic song on minor tones. It misses the flicker. Vote 8+.

4) Last Frame. It starts as a thriller, with an instrumental minute of beautiful violin, then the song starts, which takes advantage of a syncopated rhythm, which struggles to proceed, and ends with another beautiful instrumental piece. The impression is that the quality of this album is all related to the inventions of Smith's violin. Vote 7.

- The Pleasure Dome (LP side 2): 5. The Wave (3:14) 6. Cat's Eye / Yellow Fever (Running) (5:20) 7. The Sphinx in the Face (5:58) 8. Chemical World (6:10) 9. The Sphinx Returns (1:12)

5) The Wave is another ballad with the piano, where Hammill sings on the low notes, the song does not take off, and begins the B-side in minor tone. Vote 7.

6) Cat's Eye ? Yellow Fever is the masterpiece of the album. Graham Smith's violin score is worthy of a virtuoso of cultured music. The rhythm is gripping, epic, grandiose. Atmosphere that reaches a rare power. Then, after a variation worthy of a Mozart symphony, the violin dries into a dissolving ending that Hammill unfortunately does not accompany with words: it would have been the icing on the cake. Rating 9.5.

7) The Sphinx In The Face. Well-rhythmic rock dance, gritty but quite conventional, which is characterized by Potter's bass solo, instrumental progression and highly sought-after finale but too insistent and repetitive. Vote 7.5/8.

8) Chemical World it is the toughest song on the album, too long, uninspired. Rating 6,5.

9) It's useless.

After "World Record," this Lp with its clear production is once again a pleasure for the ears. Hammill's voice is finally back similar to the original, not the hoarse, choked voice of Still Life and World Record. The music suffers from the punk and new wave climate, and in fact takes on aspects more of art rock than progressive, but we can listen to -One great masterpiece -One great piano ballad - Two very good rock ballad The other songs are modest.

In conclusione, Rating: 8/10. Three and a half stars.