World Record

Van Der Graaf Generator | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1976
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Plate Caroline
• ASIN: B000000HZV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,637 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. When She Comes

2. A Place to Survive

3. Masks

4. Meurglys III (The Songwriter's Guild)

5. Wondering

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Against the grain: Most enduring VDGG album, March 13, 2008

By 

Let S Listen (TN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: World Record (Audio CD)

The consensus among Hamillites appears to be that "World Record" is not as strong as previous albums, with some considering "Pawn Hearts" their pinnacle. For readers interested in VDGG and planning their purchases: Don't be fooled. While all VDGG albums are worthwhile for the initiated, "World Record" offers something others don't have. I am referring to its somewhat detached and loose feel that, in the end, makes the album an enjoyable listening experience for multiple occasions. The lyrics are also especially strong, containing memorable lines throughout the album. They don't have the "self-indulgentness" of other albums, while retaining the personal and intimate traits Hammill is known for.

Hammill and VDGG typically come up with great song intros. The intro of "Undercover Man" from the "Godbluff" comes to mind immediately. Its quiet atmosphere sets the tone right from the start. The intro of "When She Comes" (first notes of WR) holds it's own quite well, however, and the song doesn't let up for one moment. "A Place to Survive" and "Masks" complete the trilogy, the first with the affecting line "Stand straight, looking over your shoulder." These are among the best songs VDGG has recorded. Most fans do not appreciate the loose jam-like feel of "Meurglys III". They're comparing it to the epic "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" from "Pawn Hearts." However, "Meurglys III" expresses feelings from a songwriter who had moved on at the time of recording and was ready to do something new. Looking back, and this holds for "Word Record" as a whole, the music sounds less dated. I find Hammill's guitar playing on "MIII" interesting and relaxing and agree with another review that the reggea beat towards the end is appropriate and enjoyable. There isn't really anything like it in the VDGG canon.

There is nothing to take away from the enjoyment from other VDGG albums, but don't step on "World Record", which happens to be my introdction to VDGG. Now, after a two-plus decade hiatus of not listening to them, I find the music and songs still stirring, making "World Record" once again my favorite VDGG/Hammill album [followed closely by "Godbluff"].

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful grooves, but rather dark, May 6, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Record (Audio CD)

Such a shame this was the last real VDGG-record. On this record, the band is at its most interesting. Without the pretention of 'Pawn Hearts' and musically stronger than 'Still Life', this record should be everyone's first step into the spooky world of Peter Hammill. More electric guitar than ever and that seems a good thing. Hammill is certainly not a virtuozo on his six-string but the emotional force of his playing is overwhelming. The rest of the band takes you on tight sax-organ groove. The production is rather minimalistic, not too much sonic effects and that only makes the record stronger: your attention stays focussed in the music. Meurglys III seems to be too long but that's not true: not a single second is wasted. It's twenty minutes of loneliness, anger and desperation. And it works. It does not drag, unlike the earlier, pretentious stuff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 stars and more, December 17, 1999

By 

Jamyl D'Angelo (Fort Lauderdale, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Record (Audio CD)

One of the best prog bands,world Record is the most instrument-based of all their albums, with Hammill playing more guitar than ever. The 20-minute "Meurglys III, The Songwriter's Guild" features lots of unbelievably twisted rhythms.