“One doesn’t so much listen as feel it deep in the bones… their stark inventiveness and originality remain outstanding”: Van der Graaf Generator’s Still Life and Vital reissues

Van der Graaf Generator - Still Life and Vital.

After the shock of VdGG’s unexpected reformation in 1975 and the release of their all-killer-no-filler comeback album Godbluff, the weight of expectation was extraordinarily high as fans eagerly awaited its follow-up, Still Life. 

Such was the creative surge that sparked their return to active duty, they already had the exultant swagger of Pilgrims and La Rossa’s demented waltz-time exertions held over from the Godbluff recording in the bag as they began work on new material in 1976.