Van der Graaf Generator
 

All right...either I once again screwed up somehow and opened a thread that's already been there, or (and this is would be much sadder) there isn't a thread about the mighty Van der Graaf Generator, one of the classic prog bands.

I admit, at first I didn't like them. What were those reviewers talking about? A great singer? This guy? He's just pompus and annoying.
Good music? It seems flat and a little monotonous at first. And the melodies don't grab you immediately.
But gradually they grew on me. At least I found Godbluff cool.
Then, about half a year ago it really hit me. Now I even like the new albums. I can't get enough of them. I can hardly listen to anything else. One or two other albums perhaps, then it's back to VdGG.
I even got into Hammill's solo stuff, despite my aversion against singer-songwriter music.
Any fans here? I can't be the only one, can I?

I was in love with this band about 6 years ago. Really surprised there was no pre-existing thread, I searched too.

Peter Hammill's voice can be seen as pompus and annoying, but the first time I heard VdGG I immediately heard a David Bowie resemblance, so I took a liking quickly.

Interesting observation. Can't say I hear it myself, but I was considering recommending him to a friend who is a huge Bowie fan. I wonder whether she'll hear it.

Did you come to dislike them at some point or did you just move on?

"Pawn Hearts" is one amazing album. Check the thread labelled "Prog Rock Album Club" to see what we all thought of it...

I'll do that!
I've been listening to it all day. Well, lots of previous days, too, actually.

I really enjoyed reading all your reviews.
Reading from someone who appreciates my favourites makes me appreciate them even more, if that's possible.

One thing I noted: You were puzzled by the title "Man-Erg". I always thought it has something to do with "erg" a unit for measuring energy and mechanical work.
Might be wrong here, but it seems remotely logical, although it's still no actual explanation.

I simply moved on. I was on a prog binge for a few years and discovered some amazing music from all over the place, but eventually I came back down to earth. I can still enjoy VdGG and other prog on occasion but mostly it doesn't move me the way it did when I was really into it.

Van Der Graf Generator is pretty awesome, but the thing is if you've heard one of their albums, you've heard them all.

I agree on some level, they are doing "their thing", but I think there still is a development of style from album to album. And the songs are still pretty distinctive .
Also there's Vital.

It's Bowie who was the fan