Jason your a hard man too please . I never heard the album i listened now its a gem of a record anyone who loves Bowie i recommend too defo a 4 star album out of 5 . I going to add this treasure to my collection in 2025 and defo go to check out more of Peter Hamill
I appreciate you guys reviewing my album suggestion and I thought your review was very fair. I first heard about this record reading about Johnny Rotten as a guest DJ on Capitol one radio in London in 1977. He played “ the institute of mental health is burning “ and “ nobody’s business” and he said Hammill was the best thing in music at the time. I had to hear it then , and I fell in love with it! You can hear Rotten borrows a lot of Hammill’s singing style. Joe had a great description of People your going to as a punk meets Billy Joel song. Airport is another underrated song, could have been a pop hit, reminds me of Queen in the bridge. Great review and great channel! Thank you
Would love for you guys to listen to and discuss more Van Der Graaf Generator! "Pawn Hearts" and "Godbluff," especially, have an incredible amount to offer in musicality, atmosphere, and theatrics.
Love Hammill and that you chose this to review, cheers. This is a very good record. Most of his records are growers. I think knowing TLM tastes, "Over", the next record might be more enjoyable for you. He's an acquired taste for sure.
Hammill has always been a 'do it yourself' kind of artist. Every solo album from the 70's was a learning process for him, on his own terms. He experimented alot. I always felt that his lyrical skills were the best among all in the prog genre. He really delved into the human experience, the psyche. A Louse is Not a Home (from Silent Corner Empty Stage) is an awesome example of his self probing. Possession and obsession. On his early albums, his voice was younger and purer. Vocally, his range of expression is very vast. Listen to Afterwards from the Aerosol Gray Machine, or anything on Fools Mate. From Vddg, H to He, Pawn Hearts, Godbluff and Still Life are essential albums. Brilliant stuff, very dark much of the time, but very real. He go's from tender to histrionic often. The music is ki d of EA Poe meets Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. Hammill and Peter Gabriel were both the most evocative and intelligent lyricists in the genre. I often sense a deep connection creatively between the two of them. I could go on all day about this stuff. It's not for everybody. He is a decent acoustic guitar player but his electric playing is quite rudimentary. At least on the 70's records. His keyboard playing is always interesting and creative.
As a Professor of Linguistics the word sounds (naydeer) of course more JOKES 😂, but believe that’s correct. YES, if you love Rock this would be a good fit! “Open your eyes” “Nobody’s business” Rocked hard. “Shingle” with the lovely moody Sax something I know a little about, “People were going” curious lyrics. Bowie vibe absolutely, guess I didn’t recognize the Bowie - Joel vocal how absolutely queer. It’s an enjoyable record, believe it achieved what it set out to do, would even revisit it…
I thought it was interesting but I didn't totally know what to make of it which was really the main thing I noted about it, this was the first thing I heard by him. The vocals did hold me back a bit, but I also wouldn't say it was overt. There were some songs I noted liking, particularly Shingle Song and Been Alone So Long and I couldn't really pick a least favourite. I gave it a high 3 but I would be open to revisiting it in the future.
Funny that this was on Progressive label Charisma yet it was the " punk " kids that really liked it. Both John Foxx & Gary Numan liked it & famously Sex Pistols were fans. A record of its time.
I always liked this album - it's not my favorite of his 70s albums but some of the others can be too "heavy" (subject and tone wise) to just throw on any old time. This one though - you absolutely can. I love Pompeii.....always thought that tune was underrated.
Also, Bowie was influenced by Hammill, not the other way around. There's even a memo from 1977 where Bowie instructs his assistant to go out and buy VDGG's Quiet Zone album.
John Lydon admitted he took his Johnny Rotten voice from this album. He also really loved Tim Buckley's voice. The only Peter Hammill album I ever bought. One album is enough for me!
This is a cool album. Sounds kinda modern for 1975 - kinda proto punk or proto postpunk in places, perhaps best described as art rock. Interesting that John Lydon aka Rotten took inspiration from this. It's a bit weird which I appreciate and there are some trippy little production choices in there. The lyrics are pretty interesting too. Peter Hammill's vocals sound different from song to song which is interesting as well. 3.75 stars
As the biggest VdGG fan, this really isn't one of my go to records from him. But I do understand why your viewers would be recommending it over the others; it's eclectic in the 'it has something for everyone' sense. Very accessible. Honestly, 3.5 is perfectly reasonable.
It has two very good songs - the 1st and 3rd - and a few pretty good songs, however, once again I am pestered by the pretentiousness of some Prog. I know this is a Prog-leaning site, and I don't mean to sound off. Peter's vocals are sometimes histrionic; think Tim Curry in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. His vocals remind me of Bowie, Gabriel, Ian Anderson, and Marc Bolan, who all sound much more palatable. It has some good instrumentation, but it goes on too long.
@@TastesLikeMusic Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes, and Emerson Lake and Palmer are bands I thought this site loved. I don't like these, but sure, most have a couple of good songs I do like. Better Prog bands might be ELO, The Moody Blues, and Genesis (but I can't take too much of early Genesis, and Gabriel did better solo). But improvisation and long songs and throwing piles of unusual instruments into the fray are not usually my thing.
@@painless465 I don't know that site. I know there are plenty of prog sites, and this is less extreme, but I still think at one time (maybe with Kramz?) Prog was part of a weekly diet. I could be wrong.
Before I watch I would say Peter hammill is the most pretentious artist of prog. Reminds me of someone who should never have been signed. I can’t stand it sorry
In my top ten lps of all time.
Jason your a hard man too please . I never heard the album i listened now its a gem of a record anyone who loves Bowie i recommend too defo a 4 star album out of 5 . I going to add this treasure to my collection in 2025 and defo go to check out more of Peter Hamill
I appreciate you guys reviewing my album suggestion and I thought your review was very fair. I first heard about this record reading about Johnny Rotten as a guest DJ on Capitol one radio in London in 1977. He played “ the institute of mental health is burning “ and “ nobody’s business” and he said Hammill was the best thing in music at the time. I had to hear it then , and I fell in love with it! You can hear Rotten borrows a lot of Hammill’s singing style. Joe had a great description of People your going to as a punk meets Billy Joel song. Airport is another underrated song, could have been a pop hit, reminds me of Queen in the bridge. Great review and great channel! Thank you
This is a 5 star album for me.
It hits some real emotional nerves and I do find it tuneful.
I would really suggest staying with it.
Your discussion of Nadir has reached its zenith.
Nice
Would love for you guys to listen to and discuss more Van Der Graaf Generator! "Pawn Hearts" and "Godbluff," especially, have an incredible amount to offer in musicality, atmosphere, and theatrics.
Love Hammill and that you chose this to review, cheers. This is a very good record. Most of his records are growers. I think knowing TLM tastes, "Over", the next record might be more enjoyable for you. He's an acquired taste for sure.
5/5 completely. hes not holding anything back . pompei is godly. halford took the vox btw.
Hammill has always been a 'do it yourself' kind of artist. Every solo album from the 70's was a learning process for him, on his own terms. He experimented alot. I always felt that his lyrical skills were the best among all in the prog genre. He really delved into the human experience, the psyche.
A Louse is Not a Home (from Silent Corner Empty Stage) is an awesome example of his self probing. Possession and obsession.
On his early albums, his voice was younger and purer. Vocally, his range of expression is very vast. Listen to Afterwards from the Aerosol Gray Machine, or anything on Fools Mate.
From Vddg, H to He, Pawn Hearts, Godbluff and Still Life are essential albums. Brilliant stuff, very dark much of the time, but very real. He go's from tender to histrionic often.
The music is ki d of EA Poe meets Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.
Hammill and Peter Gabriel were both the most evocative and intelligent lyricists in the genre. I often sense a deep connection creatively between the two of them.
I could go on all day about this stuff. It's not for everybody. He is a decent acoustic guitar player but his electric playing is quite rudimentary. At least on the 70's records. His keyboard playing is always interesting and creative.
Always thought Bowie's Blue Jean owed a lot to Birthday Special. Great album, saying goodbye to Glitter and hello to Punk.
We want Jason's review of A Complete Unknown!
I love VDGG and Peter Hammill. Although I only know his first four solo albums
If you're not interested in checking out the rest of his discography then at least give 'Over' a shot. It's definitely on par with his first 4.
@@Perchumovic Over is a great breakup album
@@stevemalek2970 It really is!
Also, love the pfp. Criminally underrated album.
Will you guys ever do a video on your favourite albums of all time? Like a top 10/20/50/100/whatever? Surpirsed a video like that hasn't been made yet
Yeah we’re thinking about jt
As a Professor of Linguistics the word sounds (naydeer) of course more JOKES 😂, but believe that’s correct. YES, if you love Rock this would be a good fit! “Open your eyes” “Nobody’s business” Rocked hard. “Shingle” with the lovely moody Sax something I know a little about, “People were going” curious lyrics. Bowie vibe absolutely, guess I didn’t recognize the Bowie - Joel vocal how absolutely queer. It’s an enjoyable record, believe it achieved what it set out to do, would even revisit it…
I thought it was interesting but I didn't totally know what to make of it which was really the main thing I noted about it, this was the first thing I heard by him. The vocals did hold me back a bit, but I also wouldn't say it was overt. There were some songs I noted liking, particularly Shingle Song and Been Alone So Long and I couldn't really pick a least favourite. I gave it a high 3 but I would be open to revisiting it in the future.
Funny that this was on Progressive label Charisma yet it was the " punk " kids that really liked it. Both John Foxx & Gary Numan liked it & famously Sex Pistols were fans. A record of its time.
I always liked this album - it's not my favorite of his 70s albums but some of the others can be too "heavy" (subject and tone wise) to just throw on any old time. This one though - you absolutely can.
I love Pompeii.....always thought that tune was underrated.
Also, Bowie was influenced by Hammill, not the other way around. There's even a memo from 1977 where Bowie instructs his assistant to go out and buy VDGG's Quiet Zone album.
Thirdly -Jason, I think you might appreciate Fool's Mate more than this.
@@Cpayne30 Yea I've seen the picture you are referencing. Bowie was a huge Hammill and VdGG fan.
John Lydon admitted he took his Johnny Rotten voice from this album. He also really loved Tim Buckley's voice.
The only Peter Hammill album I ever bought. One album is enough for me!
I found that when I checked my 1625 best albums of all time that I ranked it #255.
This is a cool album. Sounds kinda modern for 1975 - kinda proto punk or proto postpunk in places, perhaps best described as art rock. Interesting that John Lydon aka Rotten took inspiration from this. It's a bit weird which I appreciate and there are some trippy little production choices in there. The lyrics are pretty interesting too. Peter Hammill's vocals sound different from song to song which is interesting as well. 3.75 stars
Devotees would claim that this album predicted punk and his later album A Black Box presaged goth.
Definitely a proto-punk album
If you've heard Metallica's The Shortest Straw then you've heard the word spoken:"You're reaching your nadir, your will has disappeared..."
As the biggest VdGG fan, this really isn't one of my go to records from him. But I do understand why your viewers would be recommending it over the others; it's eclectic in the 'it has something for everyone' sense.
Very accessible.
Honestly, 3.5 is perfectly reasonable.
There are better Hammill albums.."Silent corner..", "In Camera", "A black Box",
It has two very good songs - the 1st and 3rd - and a few pretty good songs, however, once again I am pestered by the pretentiousness of some Prog. I know this is a Prog-leaning site, and I don't mean to sound off. Peter's vocals are sometimes histrionic; think Tim Curry in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. His vocals remind me of Bowie, Gabriel, Ian Anderson, and Marc Bolan, who all sound much more palatable. It has some good instrumentation, but it goes on too long.
There are dozens of prog leaning channels on RUclips. This is not one. - Joe
Are you confusing this channel with Sea of Tranquility? Lol
@@TastesLikeMusic Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes, and Emerson Lake and Palmer are bands I thought this site loved. I don't like these, but sure, most have a couple of good songs I do like. Better Prog bands might be ELO, The Moody Blues, and Genesis (but I can't take too much of early Genesis, and Gabriel did better solo). But improvisation and long songs and throwing piles of unusual instruments into the fray are not usually my thing.
@@painless465 I don't know that site. I know there are plenty of prog sites, and this is less extreme, but I still think at one time (maybe with Kramz?) Prog was part of a weekly diet. I could be wrong.
@@painless465 I would never betray this channel.
Before I watch I would say Peter hammill is the most pretentious artist of prog.
Reminds me of someone who should never have been signed.
I can’t stand it sorry
Peter Hammill is fake or insincere?
That’s a misnomer