Van der Graaf Generator – The Aerosol Grey Machine (1969) Review | The Apocalypse Will Be Played On Acoustic Guitar
Kronomyth 1.0: An electrifying debut.
They weren’t as influential as Soft Machine or Pink Floyd. They weren’t as shocking as King Crimson. And, if you were looking for orgasmic organ playing, they were no match for The Nice. None of this, however, detracts an inch from the achievement of The Aerosol Grey Machine. Despite a somewhat cool reception among critics past and present, Van der Graaf Generator’s debut album is a mind-blowing monument to psychedelic/progressive rock. Never has a band achieved such force and power without the aid of an electric guitar. It’s up to Hugh Banton’s maniacal organ, Guy Evans’ heavy drumming, Keith Ellis’ acrobatic bass and, of course, that voice. Peter Hammill’s dramatic vocals, which may well have influenced a young David Bowie (compare this album to The Man Who Sold the World), rain down with Shakespearean fire. Lost in all this is the acoustic guitar: crucial to the creation of these songs, now reduced to the role of observer, watching the chaos unfold around it. There is an urgency to The Aerosol Grey Machine that immediately marks it as an important album. Afterwards, Into a Game, Aquarian, Octopus, these songs delve so much deeper than the mere psychedelic. And then there’s Necromancer, which is the most badass wizard song you will ever hear. Many of the early progressive rock bands had a strong streak of irreverence. Certainly, the title track (more of a skit than a song) fits that description. But Van der Graaf Generator is a serious band, conjuring a science-fiction apocalypse that felt keenly like a staged performance. Unfortunately, VDGG’s first wasn’t released in the UK until 1975, and thus missed out on making a meaningful connection with the only audience that would have appreciated this music in 1969. Strange to think that, had the band received a proper English introduction, they might have become one of the biggest names in progressive rock.
The Product
A1. Afterwards (4:53)
A2. Orthenthian Street (Part I) (2:23)
A3. Orthenthian Street (Part II) (3:53)
A4. Running Back (6:32)
A5. Into a Game (5:56)
B1. Aerosol Grey Machine (0:56)
B2. Black Smoke Yen (Keith Ellis/Guy Evans/Hugh Banton) (1:18)
B3. Aquarian (8:27)
B4. Necromancer (3:30)
B5. Octopus (7:41)
All songs by Peter Hammill unless noted. All selections arranged by Van der Graaf.
CD reissue bonus tracks
11. People You Were Going to (2:44)
12. Firebrand (4:08)
2CD reissue bonus disc
B1. Firebrand
B2. Sunshine
B3. People You Were Going To
B4. Afterwards
B5. Necromancer
B6. Octopus
B7. People You Were Going To
B8. Firebrand
The Players
Hugh Robert Banton (piano, organ, sa sa ka, dissent, vocals), Keith Ian Ellis (wah wah bass, added vocals, bass, chant, croon), Guy Randolph Evans (drums, talking drums, sa sa ka), Peter Joseph Andrew Hammill (vocal, acoustic guitar, chant, hype), Jeff (flute) with the Aerosol Chorus [Gordian, Guy, Hugh, Ines, John, Keith, Nick, Peter, Sheila]. Produced by John Anthony except A1 by John Anthony & Van der Graaf; engineered by Robin Cable, Gerry Collins.
The Plastic
Released on elpee in September 1969 in the US (Mercury, SR 61238).
- Re-issued on elpee in 1974 in Germany (Fontana Special, 6430 083), Italy (Vertigo, 6360 510 A) and the US (Mercury, SR-61238).
- Re-issued on expanded compact disc in 1997 in Germany (Repertoire, REP 4647) with 2 bonus tracks.
- Re-issued as 50th Anniversary Edition on 2CD + elpee + 7-inch single in 2019 in the EU (Esoteric, ECLEC42661) with bonus material.
