STILL LIFE

Barely six months after releasing "Godbluff", the prolific Peter Hammill and his band are back with "Still Life". Introspective and poignant, VDGG's sixth album persists in the existential questions as a driving vehicle throughout its development, remaining allergic to the superficial and inconsequential.

Hammill, in a leading role more than on any previous album, which is no mean feat, goes back and forth from the imperceptible whisper to the most rabid and desperate vociferation, in dark atmospheres inspired by the deep waters of the psyche. From the beginning with the hurtful and harmonic "Pilgrims", passing through the desolate "My Room (Waiting for Wonderland)" and David Jackson's wavering saxophone, to the apotheosic ending with the heartbreaking "Childlike Faith in Childhood's End" and Hugh Banton's celestial organ that give it a unique nuance, the singer recurrently explores the human condition and its inexhaustible inner conflicts, using the melodies more as an accompaniment to express himself than as an end in itself.

The 2005 remastering includes "Gog", a piece from Hammill's solo album "In Camera", but the sound is very dirty and hard to appreciate. A shame.

"Still Life" is undoubtedly one of VDGG's most mature and balanced albums, and is part of the gallery of their best works.

4 stars