Customer Reviews

Everyone You Hold

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are at all famialiar with Hammill's work you will be interested to know that this album is a bit like a cross between "Fireships" and "And Close as This" in that the general mood is calm and intimate. If you are new to Hammill, this could well be the album for you if you are after something of a gentle introduction to this hugely prolific and acclaimed artist. Don't, however, expect entirely "easy" listening. Although there is a calmness to most of the tracks here there is often an undercurrent of something more threatening too; "Bubble" in particular shifts from the pastoral to the ominous within the space of a bar. Having said that, you will find much beauty on this album. "From the Safe House" and "Phosphorescence" are achingly gorgeous, with sumptuous washes of sound created from various strings, keyboards, electric guitars and Hammill's trademark ethereal layers of backing vocals - courtesy of two of his daughters on the latter track. Meanwhile, "Nothing Comes" and "Tenderness" are deceptively simple piano ballads. Hammill has an undeserved reputation for being a miserable doom-merchant with an unpleasant voice. Well, nothing like that is evident here. The overall tone of the lyrics is realistic but positive (Hammill is one of the best living lyricists, often matching recognised poets for quality), and the voice is rich, tender and sensual. But it's the music that leaves the strongest impression here: it's moving, atmospheric and stimulating. And there are some great tunes, too!

This album marks, for me, the third exceptional Hammill release in a row (the others being "The Roaring Forties" and "X My Heart", so purchase those as well). Songs appear like little islands amongst continuous soundscapes. The soundscapes are reflective of the mood of the preceding and succeeding songs. The songs themselves are extremely melodic, with exceptional lyrical content. Most lean toward the calmer nature of Hammill, although there are some wonderfully menacing moments, such as the superb "Bubble" where Hugh Banton (friends from their Van der Graaf Generator days) joins in on gothic organ. The song "Phosphorescence" should have been a huge hit single. Not that it is blatantly commercial. It is just absolutely breathtaking!

Many friends guest on this album and one song, "Personality" is a collaboration with Hilary Hammill, Peter's wife. Also, Hammill's daughters sing beautiful harmony vocals on "Phosphorescence".

I highly recommend this album to converts and newcomers alike. You won't be disappointed.

"Everyone you hold" is a very thoughtful and thought-provoking album, one that you could qualify as a BeCalm album, like the earlier "Fireship". There is, however, more passion involved, both lyrically and musically, than you would expect from such a quiet description. The album opens with the title song, which sets the introspective mood of the album. One of the major themes of the album is brought forward rather explicitely in the second song "Personality". What constitutes our personality? What glues together the shards of our behaviour, thoughts, feelings that are evoked by different kinds of situations? Not an everyday topic for a song, but Hammill manages to steer clear of pompous philosophy or meaningless statements, and gives us a complex, strangely beautiful song. The highlights of this masterpiece are From the Safe House, Phosphorence and Bubble. Listen for yourself, and give it your utmost attention. It is certainly worth it!

This really is a no brainer must buy if you are in the least bit a fan of Van Der Graaf Generator. In all honestly, this album is probably Peters best since Over & Pawn Hearts, mostly because of the impeccable calm of this album seems so washed over with. Yet like William Shatner's "Has Been" album, the kind of blunt honesty really gets to you; even in the cover picture of Hammill just thinking. The exquisiteness of the (sorrowful) strings in this album also reminds me of the first song from the new Cat Power called "The Greatest", which is about all I can describe it for the beauty. Its truly, truly wondrous; truly the one time I can't imagine wanting the music to be fractured.

In sum, get ahold of this album, and close your eyes..

Described by Robert Fripp as having "done for voice what Hendrix did for the guitar"-Peter Hammill's "Everyone You Hold" astonishes. Deep psychological and philosophical investigations wrapped up in moody soundscapes, organic playing, guitar effects. Progressive Hammill-he never gives up, on the contrary, his healing sentimental voice speaks about hope, changes in life, he regrets "nothing familiar on the streets of the old town and chaos is the currency...it's time to send in clear", songs represented on this album are some kind lecture for the listener, remember him again. My favorite album, maybe Hammill's best work... I can't explain how much it serious to listen and elegant. If you are not familiar yet with Peter Hammill, check out "Everyone You Hold" it's highly recommended album.

While artists of similar diversity, such as Peter Gabriel, hit some high degrees of popularity, Peter Hammill drifted into obscurity. And while no longer shaving half his face and an edge is now missing to his overall approach, Everyone You Hold is a beautiful CD by a unique, stylistic aging performer. If Hammill dropped off the map for you (as he did for me), you will be glad to have re-found him in this effort.

As a PH fan (for decades), last saturday I was re-listening to some of my favorite PH albums. This one, in particular, is one of my favorites. It is not part of the master-pieces from the 70's and 80's (for me, the best period of Mr Hammill), but it has something inside the lyrics that make this album, another gem from this excellent poet. I would say, this is another album that you must own. For sure.

Hammill fans will not get dissapointed with this "calm' series output by this genius singer composer.

This is a mature hammill work. Most of it is calmed, with well crafted songs and as aleays, a beautiful and expressive voice.