A BLACK BOX

Hammill does it again with this one !! PH is a pure genius, mastermind, virtuoso etc. and founder of the most original and unique bands in the history of music - Van Der Graaf Generator. His solo records resemble that band often, and he does utilise the talents of his band-mates on his own works. We are at 1980, a time when organs and mellotrons were ditched in favour of more compact, plastic synthesizers, which work well within the songs on this recording. Highly experimental (The Jargon King, The Wipe), dark and brooding (Fogwalking), almost pop (Golden Promises, The Spirit), almost ambient (In Slow Time), urgent/frantic (Losing Faith in Words - a bleedin' classic) and a brilliant side-long suite entitled 'Flight', which flows along in usual Hammill style, incorporating all the textures mentioned above and is a fine piece of prog that translates well into a band context (as displayed on 'The Margin' a live album with the K Group - Potter, Evans, Ellis and Hammill). A totally exciting experience, and a great starting place for musical adventurists.