~|storms tear me limb from limb; my fingers feel like seaweed... I'm so far out I'm too far in. I am a lonely man...my solitude is true my eyes have borne stark witness and now my knights are numbered too. |~ ___ ### Good morning, evening or day to you all steemit! Today we are checking out some old Prog Rock legends, the british group, Van Der Graaf Generator. ![VDGTS.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTmRTDYZBddEwbRX1f48mB8Wc4mMbaJ5PCXTxR8qLHudx/VDGTS.jpg) ##### Starting out in the late 60s they've so far had 2 reunions after some differences in the band, but at it's core they're still pretty much the same lineup. Their music is very much Prog Rock that has that classical sound of 60s psychedelia. Using a small instrumentation, usually just drums, keyboard and vocals with some guitar/saxophone. This opens up for some very interesting experimentation with limitations. They use changes in rythm and dynamic as a tool to make their music that much more huge. To start us off we'll check out their sophmore record, "The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Eachother" ___ # Pawn Hearts ![R-870211-1167490735.jpeg (1).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQma5iJUM2qXArtnuuLRn3r1QWgVw7eSWz1q97BFrQjgmFk/R-870211-1167490735.jpeg%20(1).jpg) ___ ##### Released in 1971 this record is the groups fourth record, and it has a very psychedelic confusing theme to it, with chromatic movements with crooked time signatures. Starting off the album is divided in three long prog pieces, before breaking out in "Theme One", a melodic uplifting piece, breaking up the confusion left by the first three tracks. ##### Since the instrumentation is based around 3 or 4 people it's a bit minimalistic in theory, but the way it all blends together is a bit similar of how Frank Zappa's chaotic arrangements blend together into a beautiful cacophony of sounds. ##### We're going to start off today with the longest of the three first tracks, and I recommend you check out the whole thing, as this one is a nice trip down prog memory lane. It also has what I believe is the original sample that you also hear in Voyage 34 by Porcupine Tree(see review #14), which I think is pretty cool!. # A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycgdj74oNwc ![DQmegBvMTpBDPT4bZSgx8ASeL9KZHnKPjSpjKuLjVhuBmdw_1680x8400.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQMn7CX7Zsn765Bt1FbAEufAq9wiDohUTGG3PZXW14Wcw/DQmegBvMTpBDPT4bZSgx8ASeL9KZHnKPjSpjKuLjVhuBmdw_1680x8400.png) # Still Life ![R-868223-1167295254.jpeg.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdKoCZ5xSAVxdt94sp1trmKPmnEY9DndqTXnF9Hyg3P3g/R-868223-1167295254.jpeg.jpg) ___ ##### This is the groups second album after reforming in 1975, and it still gives us this mellow psychedelic "summer of love" type feeling to a lot of the music, drifting through. The lyrics meanwhile have a heavy theme, starting off with the opening track "Pilgrims". ##### This album is thick with organ, which works as the sort of bass, along with the kick. It also utilizes distorted and mangled vocals, with early psychedelic effects. #### The track I wanna show you from this record is the title track "Still Life", starting off in a melancholic chamber hall with a single monk sitting by the organ, before breaking out into a dramatic prog rock jam. # Still Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfucdvDoPn4 ![DQmegBvMTpBDPT4bZSgx8ASeL9KZHnKPjSpjKuLjVhuBmdw_1680x8400.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQMn7CX7Zsn765Bt1FbAEufAq9wiDohUTGG3PZXW14Wcw/DQmegBvMTpBDPT4bZSgx8ASeL9KZHnKPjSpjKuLjVhuBmdw_1680x8400.png) # The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Eachother ![R-868229-1381771141-3414.jpeg.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmS46Hb1xoa46F7JrqPRjLXx4mwugbygyX5XNXDKWtYFAB/R-868229-1381771141-3414.jpeg.jpg) ___ ##### The groups sophmore record, coming out in 1970, is a classical prog rock piece, with sounds you can here everywhere else in music from that time. The record has a lot of gems, starting out with "Darkness(11/11)", a slow paced prog track, introducing us to the sounds of the record with the bandmembers slowly joining in. ##### Other tracks on this album worth checking out are "Out Of My Book", a melancholic ballad with almost baroque movements. Also "White Hammer" has a more agressive vibe to it, like an anthem to get people up to fight for peace. ##### The final track I we're gonna listen to today is the 2nd track on the album, "Refugees". A somber prog rock ballad for travelers without anywhere to go. # Refugees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5uKj4ChqQE ![DQmegBvMTpBDPT4bZSgx8ASeL9KZHnKPjSpjKuLjVhuBmdw_1680x8400.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQMn7CX7Zsn765Bt1FbAEufAq9wiDohUTGG3PZXW14Wcw/DQmegBvMTpBDPT4bZSgx8ASeL9KZHnKPjSpjKuLjVhuBmdw_1680x8400.png) ## All right, that's all folks! I hope you enjoyed todays edition of Alphabetical Order, a blog series where I write my opinions on parts of an artists discography. If you liked it or if you hate it, let me know! And if you wanna keep up to date, you can follow me. Until next time, peace out! ### You can get more info or support the artist by checking out these links: https://www.discogs.com/artist/308690-Van-Der-Graaf-Generator http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk