Van der Graaf Generator – Asking Existential Questions, 40 Years On

A recent VDGG show is reviewed:

Van der Graaf Generator cited general relativity theory in the first song it played on Sunday night at the Nokia Theater, “Interference Patterns.” The music reflected the song title: jagged, overlapping keyboard patterns moving in and out of phase, precise and tricky, as Peter Hammill sang, in counterpoint with his own piano parts, about physics and the nature of reality. Then came ruminations on war (“Scorched Earth”), totalitarianism (“Every Bloody Emperor”) and self-destruction versus survival (“Lemmings”). Mr. Hammill, the band’s main songwriter, doesn’t take on small or frivolous topics. His lyrics are philosophical disquisitions, carried by ambitious progressive rock.

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