World Record (Van der Graaf Generator album)

World Record
Studio album by Van der Graaf Generator
Released	October 1976
Recorded	10–30 May 1976 at Rockfield Studios
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	53:01 (Original) 68:37 (Re-Release)
Label	UK Charisma Records, Virgin Records[1] USA Mercury Records
Producer	Van der Graaf Generator
Van der Graaf Generator chronology
Still Life (1976) World Record (1976) The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome (1977)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

World Record is the seventh studio album by Van der Graaf Generator, originally released in 1976 on Charisma Records. Bonus tracks were added for the 2005 rerelease.

It was the last album recorded by the classic line-up of the band until their 2005 reunion: Hugh Banton and David Jackson departed in 1976 and 1977 respectively. Banton's departure owed to financial troubles and his then-recent marriage, but he stayed to finish touring commitments.^[3] Jackson continued with Peter Hammill and Guy Evans to rehearse with the new line-up in January 1977, which featured returning bassist Nic Potter and newcomer Graham Smith (of Scottish folk-rock act String Driven Thing), but left before the next tour.^[3]

Track listing

All songs written by Peter Hammill, except where noted.

Original release

Side one

1. "When She Comes" – 8:02
2. "A Place to Survive" – 10:05
3. "Masks" – 7:30

Side two

4. "Meurglys III (The Songwriter's Guild)" – 20:50
5. "Wondering" (Banton, Hammill) – 6:33

2005 re-release bonus tracks

6. "When She Comes" – 8:13
7. "Masks" – 7:23
   • both recorded for the BBC Radio One "The John Peel Show", 11 November 1976

Personnel

• Peter Hammill – vocals, guitar, piano
• David Jackson – saxophone, flute
• Hugh Banton – organ, Mellotron ^[4]
• Guy Evans – drums, percussion, cymbal

References