THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS WAVE TO EACH OTHER

VdGG is a really excellent, yet often overlooked, group in the Prog Rock canon. Personally, I am drawn to their very dark sound and subject matter, and to the use of saxophone which is something of a rarity in this style of music.

The first half of this album is just perfect. Darkness 11-11 gets things going with a sinister bang, balancing creepy atmospherics and heavy melodic hooks. Refugees is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It brings me close to tears every time. Side one concludes with White Hammer, a song about the Spanish Inquisition and their infamous witch hunts. Now here most people complain about the squalling sax, but I have to disagree. I happen to love loud, obnoxious saxophones, so if you're like me, you'll love this track.

Side two is where things begin to go wrong. The band seem to have exhausted all of their best ideas and turns in a set of mediocre tunes. The final epic, After The Flood, is in many ways the most disappointing track. I always expect the 10 minute plus epics to be highlights, but this one is kind of awkward and ends up being passable, but no more.

However, I think the excellence of side one warrants my rating of four stars entirely.