PH7 [Remastered] - Peter Hammill

Advantages: You can keep returning to it and find something new
Disadvantages: A bit ecclectic and Weird but nowt wrong with that

...In 1979 Van Der Graaf Generator had finally folded due to the usual (for them) financial, touring and personal pressures, throughout the late 60 and 70's the band had always had a rather volatile existence. Some members of the band claimed that there was a dark force acting upon the band, and at least one member was genuinely concerned for Peter's sanity when he shaved off half his beard. This was his second solo album post VDGG and his eighth one, the title pH7 is based on the measure of acidity, PH7 being neutral. However as Peter said on his website (www.sofasound.com) "these recordings are neither neutral nor balanced. The album is, therefore, both jokey and in disguise". This is pretty typical of a man who has stated that his main motivation for making music has always been that it is fun, and to have as much fun doing... Read review

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Advantages: VDGG in their full Glory
Disadvantages: It Is Prog Rock but that is not always bad

.... Very few songwriters could write about isolation as well as Peter Hammill. The song kicks off with some jazzy drumming and odd sax and organ melodies, sounding like a depressed carrousel, as it drops into a slow waltz. Peter's vocal soars above this sounding detached from the proceedings, and the main motif dominated by his guitar heightens this sense of dislocation. The song switches between rabid cacophony and standard structure before rather bizarrely changing into an extended reggae jam. Absolutely wonderful stuff, "Wondering" Completes the original album in rather softly with fine flute and organ work, taking you out of the tumultuous journey you have been on for the rest of the record. Ofcourse with this being a fine digitally remastered edition you have all sorts of bonus treats the first two being different versions of "When She... Read review

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Advantages: Great Twisted Exestentalist Songs
Disadvantages: Piano Balladry

...By the release of this album in September 1977 Van Der Graaf Generator had undergone a fairly radical change in line up. Organist Hugh Banton was the first to jump ship due to financial pressures, he was replaced by former bass player Nick Potter rejoining the fold and Violinist Graham Smith (String Driven Thing) had been drafted to replace him. Then Saxophonist David Jackson left as he could not see a place for him within the new material without Hugh. They also dropped the Generator from the name so they just known as Van Der Graaf which is kind of fitting as this is a totally different band. I always though of this album as being either a solo Peter Hammill album or a completely different band to VDGG, both assumptions have an element of truth in them. The other difference in sound here is the predominance of Hammill's electric guitar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful