Still Life

VDGG spent the balance of the 1975 on the road, completing tours of both England and Europe. The band entered the studio in January for a few weeks to quickly complete Still life, one of both VDGG and Peter Hammill's most balanced and enduring records. It is a bit of an understatement to call Hammill's prose here merely lyrics; he explores love, life and the meaning of it all with enough depth to sink a black hole, with his powerful and direct delivery right up front throughout the album. Of course, the music is perfectly suited: complex, engaging and foremost, rocking. "Pilgrims" remains the anthem and "Still Life" the hymn; their forthright message delivered concisely over Evan's crisp drumming and Banton's shimmering organ. In fact, the album is a veritable showcase for Banton's considerable talent, and anyone who digs the Hammond's tone. The opening notes of "La Rossa" belie the ferocity to come. VDGG literally blast through the song, one of their finest on record, monkey and all. "My Room" slows the pace, with Hammill retreating to a more sympathetic vocal, while "Childlike Faith In Childhood's End" remains a favorite of the band to this day. Like "La Rossa", it charges through its different movements, the band trailblazing right to the end. Again, the band played a Peel Session after the album's release; however, instead of immediately hopping on tour, VDGG entered Rockfield to record their third album in just over a year's time.