Still Life (Mlps) [Import, Limited Edition]

Van Der Graaf Generator | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 1976
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B00140GXQU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,223 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pilgrims

2. Still Life

3. La Rossa

4. My Room (Waiting for Wonderland)

5. Childlike Faith in Childhood's End

6. Gog [Live][*]

Editorial Reviews

Limited Edition Japanese "Mini Vinyl" CD, faithfully reproduced using original LP artwork including the inner sleeve. Features most recently mastered audio including bonus tracks where applicable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars almost TOO good..., March 27, 2002

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still Life (Audio CD)

When this album was released -- in 1976 -- hot on the heels of the band's 'come-back' effort, GODBLUFF, it was almost too much to endure. The songwriting of Peter Hammill, and the musicianship of the incredible players present -- the VdG core of Hugh Banton, David Jackson and Guy Evans -- combined to make this one of the most stunning recordings this amazing group ever produced. Hammill's lyrics and vocals were the strongest they had been in years -- and on a lyrical level, his songs had taken a turn with the band that listeners had previously experienced only on his (equally impressive) solo recordings. They had gotten more personal -- no longer cloaking his emotions and feelings in the guises of other characters, Hammill's soul is laid more bare on this album than at any time in the past, to be matched and surpassed perhaps only on his as-yet unrecorded solo album OVER (one of the most painfully personal works I've ever heard). The arrangements are alternately strong and delicate, showcasing the immense imaginations and talents of this band -- and the recording quality is the best of any of their efforts.

This album is not only a shining artifact of the best music of its era -- it's as powerful today as it was then, the mark of lasting art.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the finest "post Pawn Hearts" album by the band, August 7, 2007

By 

Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Still Life (Audio CD)

This 1976 release would prove to be the last truly excellent release by the band. Although the follow-up album World Record (also 1976) had its moments, it was clear that the steam had run out. Fortunately, Still Life is a remarkable Van Der Graaf Generator album and features those properties that make them one of my favorite progressive bands: Peter Hammill's voice and vocals; Hugh Banton's organ work; and Guy Evans drumming. Come to think of it, this may very well be the finest "post Pawn Hearts" album they released. That of course is just my opinion.

The lineup on Still Life is considered the classic lineup and featured virtuoso drummer Guy Evans (drum kit and percussion); Hugh Banton (Hammond organ; mellotron; acoustic piano; bass pedals; and bass guitar); Peter Hammill (vocals; electric and acoustic guitars; and piano); and David Jackson (alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones (acoustic and electric); and flute). The playing by all members is in top form on Still Life, although David seemed to have backed off from the wild playing that characterized the 1970-1971 period. Peter's voice however, is still loaded with the angst and anguish that made him my favorite prog vocalist - he characteristically alternates between a high pitched falsetto and a heavy metal growl. Although not very high in the mix, Peter plays electric guitar on the album - the liner notes comment on how he felt that he could hold his own on the instrument after releasing several solo albums. Hugh favors a very clean, "churchy" tone on the Hammond, which really makes the album work for me. Guy churns out his usual high quality work on the drum kit and this newly mastered version really brings the intricacies of his playing out.

The five tunes on the album range in length from 7:08 to 12:23 and feature the tense arrangements, odd meters, and strange root movements that characterized much of their classic material. Like all of their best music, there is generally a brooding atmosphere to Still Life, which is saturated with minor keys. However, like Godbluff (1975), the rough edges appear to have been smoothed away a bit and a little bit more room is left for softer textures and melodies. The spacey track My Room (Waiting for Wonderland) is a good example of this and boasts a very nice and melodic saxophone solo by David. One other quiet passage includes the introduction to Childlike Faith in Childhood's End, which features an extremely interesting flute arrangement that does not sound too much unlike the approach used in minimalism. By the way, this track is a superb symphonic prog workout and an excellent way to close the album. I guess it is worth pointing out that although there are some smoothed edges and quiet moments, this album "rocks" - the VDGG heaviness is very much in place along with some metrically complex and blazing ensemble work that kept me on the edge of my seat (La Rossa comes to mind).

This remastered album by Virgin is absolutely, positively excellent. The CD booklet features informative liner notes and the lyrics to each piece. The sound quality is what blows me away - all of the remastered albums sound so much better than the older versions that these may as well be completely new recordings. The bonus track includes a scary and overwhelming live version of the previously unreleased track Gog, which was recorded at a concert held in 1975 at the Theatr Gwynedd in Bangor, Wales. The sound quality is very poor, but the sheer brutal power of the piece more than makes up for it.

All in all, this is the last excellent album by VDGG and is very highly recommended along with H to He, He who am the Only One (1970); and Pawn Hearts (1971).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Challenging, intricate music; aggressive, entrancing lyrics, October 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Still Life (Audio CD)

This is the second album of Van der Graaf Generator's 1975-1978 "comeback" phase. While it exemplifies the intricacies of mid-70s progressive rock, it nevertheless "hooks" the listener at several points.

"Pilgrims" suggests a sequel to "Refugees" (from their earlier album "The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other"), while "Still Life" and "Childlike Faith" are startling (at least to the uninitiated) in their stark imagery. "My Room" witnesses vocalist Peter Hammill exploring his lower register with a minimalist instrumental backdrop. And finally, "La Rossa" (this reviewer's favourite track) combines aggressive and catchy instrumentation with extreme vocals (some of them in the form of bone-chilling screams) and lyrics which will strike a chord in all too many listeners.

If you enjoy sophisticated lyrics, marvelous performances on organs and saxophones, or progressive rock in general, you'll enjoy "Still Life". Like most fine progressive albums, it's not the greatest thing at the first listening, but it insists you listen again, and again, and reveals itself further each time.