AN INTRODUCTION (FROM THE LEAST TO THE QUIET ZONE)

Speaking of albums for completists here it sits. Although this is a very nice compilation of the great Van der Graaf Generator that features quintessential VDGG namely Darkness (11/11), Refugees, Killer and Man-Erg. No compilation of the band should exist without these which are undoubtedly prime examples of the band at their very darkest and ultimately their best.

The curiosities are here too such as Theme 1, and When she comes, which are not usually linked with the best material the band has produced. No arguments though with Godbluff's amazing zombie homage Sleepwalkers and the ultimate in reflective melancholia, Still Life. The album closes with Sphinx in The Face from the sporadic Quiet Zone mish mash.

So really you have a collection of gems from The Least to The Quiet Zone, as stated on the cover but many treasures are missing and a newcomer to the band should own 'the big 4' VDGG albums in any case, so this compilation would be rendered obsolete in this case. A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers had no hope of getting on this one CD but is criminally absent. However this is not too bad for a 1 CD collection and sits in well with the packaging and the remastered tracks are an aural feast. Not the best, not the worst, so sits in the middle there at 3 stars.