Trisector

Van der Graaf Generator (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 1, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B00133QSYA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,268 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Following on from the 2005 album 'Present', Van Der Graaf Generator have put together a brand new album that will be released on 17th March 2008 titled 'Trisector'. Van Der Graaf Generator now a stripped-down trio of original 1968 members Hugh Banton (organ), Guy Evans (drums) and Peter Hammill (vox, guitar, piano), made a storming return to live performance in the spring of 2007. The band started recording their new album in July 2007, after a period of mixing and overdubbing 'Trisector' is now ready for release. There are nine pieces on the album, one of them instrumental. Unusually for VDGG, only one of these is more than ten minutes long - indeed, five come in at under five minutes. There are, of course, passages of great complexity but there's also a confidence about the group which allows them to leave some simple things as they are.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, April 27, 2008

By	Chris J. Previti (Glenolden, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Okay, I admit I was a little apprehensive upon pulling off the shrink-wrap, knowing that Dave Jackson isn't on this release. But after hearing Trisector, I honestly believe this is one of their best. Hammill, Banton and Evans have really stepped things up and have made sure that no holes were left where DJ was. This is a varied collection and will no doubt keep your attention. There are even a couple of songs in 4/4 time.
The theme here seems to be the coming to grips with getting older and facing the inevitable, but by no means in a depressing way. A prime example is The Final Reel, a song about an elderly couple deciding to end it all while they're still able to make the decision for themselves. It's handled in a sweet and poignant way.
Highlights abound; the spirited playing throughout, the amazing Over the Hill, that literally had me catching my breath and gave me goosebumps, All That Before, a song relating to absentmindedness that actually brings humor to the subject and there's so much more.
If you're a VDGG fan that's worried that you might not like this because DJ isn't on it, don't be. I promise that you'll be more than happy to own it. I think anyone who enjoys good intelligent music that's well-played will love this CD. Here's hoping there are more releases to come.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly Perfect, April 2, 2008

By	P.J. (Maine) - See all my reviews

As a long time fan of VDGG [early 70's],I was overjoyed when the band decided to reform for the Present album a few years ago, and I immediately purchased Real Time the moment that it became available. Both of those albums, in my opinion, were incredible, particularly Present, which showcased the bands experimental side, and featured the usual incredible lyrics and vocals of Peter Hammill, and the manic saxophone of David Jackson. I became a bit concerned when finding the new album, Trisector, at my local brick and mortar, when I realized that Mister Jackson was no longer performing with the band, which I was aware of by reading interviews and such after the last tour. Would I miss the saxophone too much? Would the band be the same band that I fell in love with so many years ago? Well, the answers are emphatically Yes and Yes! I absolutely miss the squonk and squeal of Jackson's saxophones and feel that their absence has taken a bit of the bite out of the songs. With that being said, the music on this album is so great, that it transcends even that feeling of loss. The band is firing on all cylinders on Trisector, even occuring to me that the band sounds rejuvenated. If you had told an unknowing me that the band members are all sixty-somethings, I never would have believed you. Hammill, Banton and Evans mesh as well as they ever have, and the power behind their musicianship is evident from the first note. The only reason for the four stars instead of the five is because I can only imagine how much more wonderful[yes, it's possible...barely] this album would have been with David Jackson on board. Kudos to the old timers, they've pulled it off again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VDGG great comeback after Presence, April 2, 2008

By	Ignacio Cuevas (Mexico) - See all my reviews

I believed that, without saxman David Jackson, VDGG in this trio format would be below their standards, but i was wrong. Most of the songs are great, really. Banton`s organ sounds incredible, Hammill still sings beautifully and guy evan`s drums are as strong as ever.
The compositions are very well constructed with intricate tempos and deep moods.This cd is full of energy and VDGG fans will be delighted. I consider it way better than Presence. You will not be dissapointed if you are into quality prog.