THE AEROSOL GREY MACHINE

"The Aerosol Grey Machine" is the debut full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Van der Graaf Generator. The album was released through Mercury Records in September 1969. Van der Graaf Generator was formed in Manchester in 1967 by Chris Judge Smith (drums, wind instruments and vocals) and Peter Hammill (vocals and guitar). The duo later recruited organist Nick Pearne and this trio recorded a demo in early 1968, which eventually led to the band being signed to Mercury Records. Smith and Hammill opted to move to London to pursue a music career, while Pearne decided to stay in Manchester and finish his education. He was soon replaced by Hugh Banton (piano, organ, percussion, backing vocals). Bassist Keith Ellis and drummer Guy Evans soon joined too, and the now quintet lineup recorded more demo material and the 1969 "People You Were Going To"/"Firebrand" single.

Smith left after recording the single and as Hammill was now the only original member left under contract to deliver an album to Mercury Records, the remaining band members were advised against signing with the label (the financial agreement was poor), and Van der Graaf Generator effectively disbanded in June 1969. Hammill however began recording material for a solo album, and were soon joined by his former bandmates. Charisma Records showed an interest in signing the band (as Van der Graaf Generator), but they had to make a deal with Mercury Records in order for the label to release Hammill from his contract, which meant that "The Aerosol Grey Machine" ended up being released through Mercury Records under the Van der Graaf Generator monicker, although Van der Graaf Generator had more or less already signed a new label deal with Charisma Records. Not surprisingly Mercury Records didn´t spend much time, energy, or money to promote the album and it was not a commercially successful release.

Stylistically the material on the album is psychadelic rock with some progressive leanings. Hammill already this early on had a distinct sounding voice and a relatively unique paatos filled (almost theatrical) delivery. This is not heavy psychadelic rock nor is it whimsical psychadelic pop/rock, but a more dark, thoughtful, and atmospheric type of psychadelic rock. Most tracks are relatively simple in structure, but tracks like "Running Back", "Aquarian", and especially "Octopus" are longer and slightly more progressive tracks. It should be understood in relative terms though, as 1969 was still early days for the progressive rock movement. Hammill´s vocals are the main focus of the music, but the organ and piano parts are also omnipresent and and dominant. The rhythm section are placed relatively high in the mix, and occasionally bring a little power to an otherwise predominantly tranquil musical atmosphere.

"The Aerosol Grey Machine" features a sound production which immediately reveal that the material was recorded in the 60s. The drum production, the way the instruments are mixed, and how the vocals sound. It´s not the best sounding production of the era, and it´s audible that the recordings were predominantly done over two days in July/August 1969 and producer John Anthony probably didn´t spend much time polishing and mixing the recordings (the omnipresent strumming guitar is for example placed in the mix, so you know it´s there, but you can´t really make out which chords are played). This is in many ways a very authentic and raw recording, and this type of music could probably have prospered from a slightly better sounding production job.

Upon conclusion "The Aerosol Grey Machine" is decent quality debut album by Van der Graaf Generator, but it´s not an album showing more than medium promise. It´s an album for those who enjoy the early beginnings of progressive rock, when such a term wasn´t really coined yet, and most people probably just considered this sophisticated psychadelic rock. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.