A groundbreaking blend of folksy elements and more driving prog – a perfectly balanced set that sums up the unique genius of Van Der Graaf Generator! The
group is partly a showcase for the young
Peter Hammill – who is vaguely in the territory of some of his acoustic contemporaries on Island Records – but the singer is also really able to open up and soar once the
group gets going, and finds a way to ignite his energy amidst the more driving drums and organ lines! There's plenty of jamming instrumental moments to please the prog crowd, but also some more up-close and personal elements too – on titles that include "Octopus", "Afterwards", "Orthenian Street (parts 1 & 2)", "Black Smoke Yen", and "Ferret & Featherbird".
(Red label stereo pressing – B-M5 – in a "Giant Squid" cover. Cover has a small cutout hole, split top seam, some ring and edge wear, small split in the bottom seam, and some light smudges in back.)