Review Summary: A huge step from the debut. Here the band developed their definitive sound.
“The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” is the second studio album of Van Der Graaf Generator that was released in 1970. The line up of the album is Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton, David Jackson, Nick Potter and Guy Evans. The album also had the participation of Mike Hurwitz and Gerry Salisbury.
Van Der Graaf Generator was a British progressive rock band that was formed in Manchester, UK in 1967. They were one of the best and most original British progressive rock bands of the 70’s. The band had a leading role in the very first progressive phase releasing high-rated albums from 1970 to 1976. Alongside the band, there was a very interesting solo career for Hammill who frequently invited the other members to come and join him on many of his solo works.
Although “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” can be considered the second official studio album of the band, it’s, in a certain way, the first proper album of the band. This happened because their previous debut album, “The Aerosol Grey Machine” was to be released as a solo album of Peter Hammill. But, due to a deal with their record label, “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” came to be released under the name of Van Der Graaf Generator.
“The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” was recorded at Trident studios in London in December of 1969 and all songs were written by Hammill with the exception of “Out Of My Book” which was written by Hammill and Jackson. Banton wrote the cello parts on “Refugees”. The title of “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” was based on a phrase taken from John Minton. Milton was a British painter and an illustrator of landscapes, portraits, and figures, as well a theatrical designer: “We’re all awash in a sea of blood, and the least we can do is wave to each other”.
The sound of the band was already well developed on this second studio album. Despite the subtle melancholic dark mood of the album, the refined musicality is large here. Its characteristic melody, rarely permeated by dissonance, counteracts its depressive, apocalyptic lyrics. With this album, the band established their style. It sounds more impressive than the first one, probably due to the presence of Jackson, who joined in 1969. The songs have more prog influences and the overall sound is excellent. The drum section is very good and Banton’s organ is also awesome. Guitar parts are almost simple but this doesn’t matter because piano, organ and sax replace it. Very strange and also fantastic are the sax parts. The way Jackson plays the instrument is innovative. Like in all other albums, the lyrics are wonderful. Despite Hammill having a very peculiar and strange voice, he can use it in an awesome way. The changes of tone from loud to silent, from high to low makes his vocals intensive. It’s an album stuffed with some amazing tracks.
“The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” has six tracks. “Darkness (11/11)” is a great opener. It’s dominated by the presence of keyboards and a strong bass line. It’s the first song where we can hear the unique sound of Jackson’s saxophones. “Refugees” is the most sentimental moment on the album. It’s very beautiful, melodic and peaceful with a nice flute work. It reminds me of “Running Back”, the third track of their debut “The Aerosol Grey Machine”. It’s one of the most beautiful songs written by Hammill. “White Hammer” is intense and dark. Its dark lyrics are about the torture and crimes of the Inquisition in the 15th century. It’s dominated by powerful saxophone and great keyboard works. In the end the music is aggressive, dissonant and disturbing, providing a real dramatic final. “Whatever Would Robert Have Said?” has several different passages and different rhythms. It’s one of the most progressive songs on the album. Still, it isn’t as good as the previous songs. “Out Of My Book” is a different song, a light melodic and beautiful ballad. It’s unusually melodic for the band. It reminds me of Genesis’ “Trespass”. Like the previous song, it isn’t as good as the three first songs on the album. “After The Flood” is the epic of the album. It’s also its highlight. It’s a well developed song with different passages, some aggressive and others more melodic. This is a perfect end for this amazing album.
Conclusion: “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” is, without any doubt, the first great studio album of Van Der Graaf Generator. It has everything that made this band so great. It has the complex, dark and beautiful lyrics of Hammill and also his beautiful, original and unique voice, the fantastic keyboard sound of Banton, the incredible sound of the saxophones and flute of Jackson, the original drumming of Evans and the strong bass line of Potter. Like “Trespass” from Genesis, “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” is an album almost perfect. Comparing these two albums, we may say that both are near to perfection and both show the type of music that both bands wanted to do in the future. For me, there’s only a slight difference between both albums. The music on “Trespass” is simpler, pure and naïve, while the music on “The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other” is more complex, mature and adult.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
