The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome

Infobox Album |
Name = The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome
Type = Album
Artist = Van der Graaf Generator


Released = September 2 1977
Recorded = May, 1977
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 54:02
Label = Charisma Records
Producer = Peter Hammill
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:rk2vad8kv8w5 link]
Last album = "World Record"
(1976)
This album = "The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome"
(1977)
Next album = "Vital"
(1978)

"The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome", released in 1977, was Van der Graaf Generator's last studio album before their 2005 reunion [Christopulos, J., and Smart, P.: "Van der Graaf Generator - The Book", page 266. Phil and Jim publishers, 2005.] . 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, original bassist Nic Potter returned to the band, having left in 1970. Violinist Graham Smith, from String Driven Thing, also joined the line-up. Saxophonist David Jackson and organist Hugh Banton had left, modifying the band's sound considerably. 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.

Track listing

All tracks written by Peter Hammill, except where indicated.
# "Lizard Play" – 4:29
# "The Habit of the Broken Heart" – 4:40
# "The Siren Song" – 6:05
# "Last Frame" – 6:15
# "The Wave" – 3:15
# "Cat's Eye / Yellow Fever (Running)" (Hammill, Graham Smith) – 5:21
# "The Sphinx in the Face" – 5:59
# "Chemical World" – 6:12
# "The Sphinx Returns" – 1:18

Reissue Bonus Tracks

# "Door" – 3:23
# "The Wave" – 3:03
#* "Demo version"
# "Ship of Fools" – 3:43
#* "B-side of "Cat's Eye" single"

Reissue Packaging Issues

The 2005 reissue added some B-sides and a demo. The last two of these were mislabeled on the CD packaging.

Personnel

*Nic Potter – Bass guitar
*Guy Evans – drums and percussion
*Peter Hammill – Voice, piano, and guitars
*Graham Smith – Violin

Notes