Review Summary: A surprisingly good work, despite isn't the best place to start with the band.
“The Aerosol Grey Machine” is the debut studio album of Van Der Graaf Generator that was released in 1969. The line up on the album is Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton, Keith Ellis and Guy Evans. The album had also the participation of Jeff Peach and Chris Judge Smith.
Van Der Graaf Generator was a British progressive rock band that was formed in Manchester, UK in 1967, while their members were studying at the Manchester University. The initial trio of the band was comprised by Hammill, Nick Pearne and Smith. But, this line up didn’t last longing. In the late of 1969 the band split. Thus, Hammill had to put together a new crew for the band. But, before that moment, Pearne had already been replaced by Banton. At the end of 1969 a new version of Van Der Graaf Generator was formed with their classic line up. During the recording of an album, which was originally intended to be a Hammill’s solo release, “The Aerosol Grey Machine” became as their first work.
However, “The Aerosol Grey Machine” wasn’t released as a solo Hammill’s album and became as the debut studio album of Van Der Graaf Generator and was released in September of 1969. All songs were written and composed by Hammill except “Black Smoke Yen” which was written and composed by Banton, Keith Ellis and Guy Evans. “The Aerosol Grey Machine” always tended to be a little bit an underrated album. But it’s the case with most debut albums by many progressive rock bands. But, especially in this case, and we mustn’t forget that we are talking about of one of the most creative bands ever, the real problem is that there’s hardly anything groundbreaking on here. So, yeah, this is all really true but if we pay more attention to it, after we took quite a few listens to it, maybe we can appreciate some of its charm. Lyrically, the classic Van Der Graaf Generator’s style is already here and somehow all the songs can really rule.
In “The Aerosol Grey Machine”, Van Der Graaf Generator is still influenced by the Flower Power and Psychedelic sound of the end of the 60’s. Compared to the band’s later albums, it has only a slightly dark atmosphere. By the other hand, Hammill’s voice isn’t yet as expressive as on their later works. The songs sound downright cheerful, at most with a hint of quiet melancholy. Their later works are already recognizable, and yet it sounds "more pop", more playful and a bit more acoustic here. To my ears it sounds a bit of Procul Harum, a bit of early Pink Floyd, a bit like later Van Der Graaf Generator and of course things typical of the time, mainly influences of psychedelic and the hippie music. That means it sometimes sounds pastoral, sometimes freaky and always a bit weird to gloomy, mostly caused by Hammill’s singing. In places it still sounds a bit immature and unfinished, but definitely with successful approaches. But, probably what I miss most on this album is the presence of the saxophone and flute of Davis Jackson, a landmark of their future sound.
“The Aerosol Grey Machine” has nine tracks. “Afterwards” is a great opener. It’s a simple naïve song, one of the most beautiful songs of Hammill. It’s one of the best tracks on the album. “Orthenthian St, Parts 1 and 2” is a nice well constructed song. The voice of Hammill is great and I like the way Evans plays drums. “Running Back” is a peaceful acoustic song with a simple structure. It reminds me “Refugees” of “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other”. Still, it’s simpler and less interesting. “Into A Game” has some complexity and an interesting bass line. Again, I like the way Evans plays drums. The title track isn’t properly a song. This is more a joke from the band. “Blake Smoke” is an instrumental. This is a very simple song, a kind of an introduction to the next song. “Aquarian” has some psychedelic influences and beautiful vocals of Hammill. It has an interesting bass line and drum work and interesting chorus. “Necromancer” is a bizarre, obscure and deep song with some scary lyrics. It has superb Hammill’s vocals and a great melodic chorus. “Octopus” is the most difficult and complex song on the album. It’s the most typical band’s song on this album, the most eclectic and progressive in its structure. It has all the seeds of the future sound of the band.
Conclusion: I can’t agree with those who don’t consider this work a Van Der Graaf Generator’s album. It’s true it was intended to be the first Hammill’s solo album and lacks to it the presence of David Jackson. But, this album has the main characteristics of the band. It has the complex, dark and beautiful lyrics of Hammill and his unique voice. It has the unique keyboard sound of Banton. It has the great drumming of Evans. I think we can compare this album with the debut album of Genesis, “From Genesis To Revelation” released in the same year. Despite “The Aerosol Grey Machine” isn’t a great album, it’s better than Genesis’ album. Here, we can see some progressiveness and a road to follow in their future path. So, “The Aerosol Grey Machine” is a good, naïve and a unique album in their career, very simple and very acoustic. I think it has a very single place in the musical career of this great, unique and original progressive rock band.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
