Van Der Graaf Generator – Godbluff

Godbluff is the fifth album released by Van der Graaf Generator. It was the first album after the band reformed in 1975 and was recorded after a European tour. While the musical structures continued to be complex and dense, there seemed to be far less accent on the demonstration of musical skill than had formerly been the case. Indeed, the album opened with daring quietness, with David Jackson’s flute echoing across the stereo space, joined by Hammill’s voice as he whispered the opening lines. There was sturm und drang to come, but the music had been opened up and the lyrics had developed more focus, often abandoning metaphor in favour of statement. Godbluff was a bravura comeback – only four cuts, but all were classics.