Van Der Graaf - The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome (1977) [2015 SACD]

The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome, released in 1977, is the eighth album by British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. It was their last studio album before their 2005 reunion. The album features a more energetic, new wave sound than its three immediate predecessors, anticipating singer and songwriter Peter Hammill's late '70s solo work.

For this album, bassist Nic Potter returned to the band, having left in 1970, and violinist Graham Smith (String Driven Thing), also joined the line-up, in place of the two members who had departed in the aftermath of their previous album, World Record: organist Hugh Banton and saxophonist/flautist David Jackson. This considerably modified the band's sound. Officially, the band's name was shortened to just "Van der Graaf" for this album and the live album Vital, that followed, but contemporaneous Charisma Records promotional materials used both the full and shortened name.

Tracks:

The Quiet Zone
01. Lizard Play 04:30
02. The Habit Of The Broken Heart 04:40
03. The Siren Song 06:04
04. Last Frame 06:17
The Pleasure Dome
05. The Wave 03:14
06. Cat’s Eye / Yellow Fever (Running) 05:20
07. The Sphinx In The Face 05:57
08. Chemical World 06:10
09. The Sphinx Returns 01:26
Reissue Bonus Tracks:
10. Door 03:28
11. Ship Of Fools (B-side of «Cat’s Eye» single) 03:51
12. The Wave (Demo Version) 02:59

Personnel:

Peter Hammill – vocals, piano and guitars
Guy Evans – drums and percussion
Nic Potter – bass guitar
Graham Smith – violin
David Jackson – saxophone on "The Sphinx in the Face" and "The Sphinx Returns"