THE QUIET ZONE / THE PLEASURE DOME

I adore the music of Van der Graaf and Peter Hammill's voice is one of the best I have heard. I am used to giving 4 star ratings on their albums or even 5 star, but this one I will have to settle with 3 stars.

Why? It is so different and not really up to the standard of other VdGG. One reason, the sax is all but gone and the songs are so safe and short for VdGG standards. I have heard the album countless times but cannot pin down any one excellent song except perhaps the incredible 'Cat's Eye / Yellow Fever' which features Graham's Smith psychotic violin stabs throughout. it is disconcerting and pleasant at the same time. There are no others that could be classed alongside the excellent first few albums and this is a shame as I expect such high standards from these progenitors of prog, perhaps one of the most important 70s band in the history of prog.

Due to these, perhaps unreasonable, standards, and the fact that the band have set the bar so high, any mediocrity becomes a crime. I am not saying this entire album is mediocre by any means, however it is forgettable and acts as more of a bridge between the old and new VdGG, rather than a standout album. Hammill is still here in his existential glory, the unusual lyrical power is evident, as is a sound that is unlike other bands churning out ordinary material in the era, but I still strongly feel that the album was rushed out to appease a label, and Hammill was running dry on good ideas.

The album appears to be 2 different albums merged into one. There is good reason for this. It is indeed a conglomeration of ideas from various sources and the second half of the album seems to work best. The absence of the sax is notable but this album shines for one reason and one reason only, the incredible violin talents of Smith. I haven't heard much from the famous Incredible String Thing he hails from, however his violin lends an ethereal quality to the tracks and makes for some very compelling listening. He is equally good on the live 'Vital' which buries this album.

Overall, the album has a lot to offer but, as stated, to give this 5 stars stretches the boundaries of credibility. Check it out only after first hearing the first 5 albums of the band or at least the masterpieces, 'Pawn Hearts', 'Godbluff' and 'H to He, Who Am the Only One', after that the excellent 'The Least We can Do is Wave To each Other' is a good starting point or even 'Still Life'. This CD 'The Quiet Zone / The Pleasure Dome' is certainly better than the debut album by a long measure, and is at least worth 3 stars for its innovation and energy, but it is not what you might expect when you know these other aforementioned classic albums and the sheer brilliance this band is capable of.