Well my internet no longer works, so here are the last 4.
4. Unexpect - In a Flesh AquariumI know many people have heard this album. Well for those who haven't it's one of the most insane metal albums ever made without a doubt. The songs are all over the place, and you have syriaK and Artagoth's growls and barks contrasted by Leilindels angelic operatic singing. The musicianship is also astounding all around. There are an amazing amount of genres present, including death metal, gothic metal, circus music, and the ever-present avant-garde. I really don't know how to describe this album anymore, but if you're looking for a challenging album, here you go.
Favourite tracks: Megalomaniac Trees, Desert Urbania, Summoning Scenes
3. Can - Future DaysThis album is amazing at combining two completely opposite genres: a sort of funky feel with a more ambient one. This was their most ambient album at the time and one of their most experimental by far. All four tracks are amazing. The title track is a summery ambient one which goes by surprisingly fast. Spray starts out with a fantastic 6 minute improv section with some of the greatest percussion work I've ever heard. When Damo comes in it is a true breath of fresh air. Moonshake is a short, accessible track but it's no less awesome. Bel Air is a 20 minute mostly ambient track and one of the bands best songs definitely. The vocal melodies are beautiful as are the atmospheres laid throughout. This is really a great piece of work. If I don't know what I'm in the mood for, I just throw this on. It satisfies every time.
Favourite tracks: All
2. Kayo Dot - Choirs of the EyeThis album is indescribable. This is probably the hardest writeup to do as this has such a vast blend of genres and hits you in so many ways that it's hard to put it into writing. Marathon is a dark, beautiful, atmospheric track with sudden crashes of loudness here and there and is the best song on the album. A Pitcher of Summer is the shortest and most accessible track, but it is still brilliant in every way and is the best song on the album. The Manifold Curiosity is a mostly calm, beautiful track, that seems to lull you to sleep, only to rudely awaken you with crashing loudness at the end. This is really amazing and makes this the best song on the album. Wayfarer is just gorgeous in every way. Not a moment goes by that isn't filled with beauty, and it is the best song on the album. The Antique begins with a sort of unnerving and primitive sounding guitar riff, that slowly builds up with more distortion and noise. We then get untamed heaviness for a while and beautiful atmospheres and singing to close. Definitely the best song on the album.
Favourite tracks: All
1. Van der Graaf Generator - Still LifeAlright so here's #1. I love this album so much it's insane. Every song on the album has something absolutely amazing in it. Pilgrim's has this amazing and memorable pre-chorus and chorus. The title track has lyrical beauty unmatched by any band. La Rossa features Peter Hammill at his best vocally, which is saying a lot as he's my favourite vocalist. My Room (Waiting for Wonderland) has some of most beautiful saxophone work I've ever heard. And the closer, Childlike Faith in Childhood's End, closes the album with an outro almost unmatched by any song. Every song has this bit of perfection in it that makes it one of the most amazing at what it does. This isn't the most highly regarded of VdGG's big four, but it's my favourite, and my favourite album of all time.
Favourite tracks: All