Van Der Graaf Generator Reunites for Present

The most uncommercial, ornery AND majestic progrock outfit to ever grace a pair of speakers, Van Der Graaf Generator reuniting for a double album and few European shows ranked near the proverbial Public Enemy/Lynyrd Skynyrd double bill on the probability scale.

Well, they've given the music world reason to fear hearing Don't Believe the Hype and Freebird from the same stage in the same night, and in the process made probably the greatest rock reunion album ever, their first since 1977.

A double CD release, Present features one disc of songs and one disc of improvs both containing dollops of the classic VdGG sound: the churchy Hammond organ of Hugh Banton, the twin-fisted saxophone assault of David Jackson, the adroit, yet powerful drumming of Guy Evans all framing the impassioned vocals and lyrics of Peter Hammill. Hammill also adds a bit of keyboards and his friend, the guitar Meurglys III.

The material on the song-oriented first disc varies from a Bush-skewering lament on the abuse of political power, Every Bloody Emperor,, to an almost wistful take on approaching old-age, "On the Beach", featuring some Brian Wilson-influenced vocal overdubs from Mr. Hammill.

In Babelsberg is a powerful piece, reminding that Van Der Graaf Generator backed Hammill on his proto-punk Nadir's Big Chance release (1975). Abandon Ship, another gloriously loopy jaunt, shares a brother in the rare VdGG track, Ship of Fools.

The disc of improvisations reveals the brutal musical chemistry of this four-piece. The Price of Admission especially stands out as a memorable piece of inspiration. Further development of some of the ideas presented on disc 2 would have been icing on this cake.

Frankly on Present, Van Der Graaf Generator show more raw and subtle rock power than pretty much the entire indie rock scene. Not bad from a quartet rapidly approaching their 60s. Maybe when it comes to music, it's time not to trust anyone under 30.