The Aerosol Grey Machine


The Aerosol Grey Machine is the debut studio album by English progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. It was released in 1969 by record label Mercury.

Content

The album was originally intended as a solo album by the band's lead singer and main songwriter, Peter Hammill. When the band signed with Charisma Records, a deal was worked out whereby The Aerosol Grey Machine would be released under the Van der Graaf Generator name, in return for Mercury Records releasing Hammill from his earlier contract with it.

Release

The Aerosol Grey Machine was released in September 1969 by record label Mercury, in the US only. An initial edition contained the song "Giant Squid", but that was a false pressing, later pressings removed this track and replaced it correctly with "Necromancer".
The album was reissued on CD in 1997 by the German company Repertoire Records, using the original running order of the album as released on LP, and featuring the first single as bonus tracks. Another 1997 release, by Peter Hammill's own UK record label FIE! Records, utilizes a new running order and adds "Giant Squid" along with a previously unreleased early version of "Ferret and Featherbird" as bonus tracks, but without explanation both tracks were integrated as part of the album.

Reception

In his retrospective review, Steven McDonald of AllMusic called it "A raw, energetic effort that sometimes did little to show off the young Hammill's talents" that "nevertheless has some fine moments that hint at the possibilities for future releases".

Track listing

Personnel

;Van der Graaf Generator
; Additional personnel