GODBLUFF

Try as I might, I cannot seem to see what others see in this band. The music is complex, at times even slightly discordant, with some very interesting keyboards and some wild sax and fine flute from David Jackson. Indeed, Hugh Banton emerges with enormous credit as a quite superb organ player; his introduction to Sleepwalkers is a quite brilliant little motif. Guy Evans is a metronomic drummer, providing the rhythm section single-handed, since there is frequently no bass and only Banton's bass organ pedals to back him up. The rot really sets in when Peter Hamill sings; I find his voice and vocal style intensely irritating. He has a habit of hitting a note flat and slowly sliding up to the correct pitch which sets my nerves on edge after a while and his aggressive and overdramatic means of delivery ruin what could have been fairly enjoyable. The four long pieces are all intricate, jazz influenced and certainly not typical of symphonic prog. Undercover Man is the pick with Sleepwalkers close behind, but if only they had left out the silly cha cha section.

VDGG are undoubtedly an innovative and important band but their music is hopelessly flawed. Had this been instrumental, I would have given it 3* because the music is pleasnt enough, but the vocals drop it to 2*. Not recommended.