Present (Van der Graaf Generator album)
| Present | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Studio album by Van der Graaf Generator | ||||
| Released | 25 April 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2004-2005 | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock, art rock | |||
| Length | 102:05 | |||
| Label | Charisma | |||
| Van der Graaf Generator chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| BBC Music | (favorable) |
| Uncut | (4/5) |
Present is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, released in 2005. It was the band's first studio album since The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome in 1977, and the first with the 'classic' line-up since World Record in 1976. The Charisma Records label was reactivated for its release, as well as a reissue series of Van der Graaf Generator's back catalog and Peter Hammill's solo releases from 1972-80.
For many years the band's lead singer and principal songwriter Peter Hammill had rejected the idea of a VdGG reunion, but in 2004 (following two one-off, unannounced reunions at Hammill concerts), work began on an official reunion album. Present was the result. It consists of one disc of songs (plus an instrumental, "Boleas Panic"), and one disc of studio improvisations. The band had always improvised in the studio throughout their history, but never before (excepting the bootleg-quality Time Vaults), had these improvisations been officially released.
In 2005, the band embarked on a successful reunion tour. Only two songs from Present, however, were played on the tour: "Every Bloody Emperor" and "Nutter Alert".
All written by Banton, Evans, Jackson, Hammill
The album was named as one of Classic Rock‘s 10 essential progressive rock albums of the decade.
...
Wikipedia