Pawn Hearts

by Van der Graaf Generator

Pawn Hearts cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 12 November 1971
  • Label: Charisma
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 2:02:37
  • Community rating: 4.59/5 from 9 ratings

Artists on this release: Hugh Banton, Peter Hammill, David Jackson, Guy Evans

Album Notes & Community Reviews

'Pawn Hearts' is a challenging and densely layered work of progressive rock, featuring only three compositions, including the 23-minute, side-long suite "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers." The album's sound is defined by dramatic shifts in dynamics, the interplay between Hugh Banton's commanding organ and David Jackson's dual saxophones, and Peter Hammill's theatrical vocals exploring themes of existential dread and internal conflict. Assembled in the studio from numerous small sections and experimental recording techniques, its uncompromising and complex nature contributed to its legendary status, which was cemented after its commercial success in Italy led to pressures that caused the band's temporary split.

Genres

Descriptors: saxophone, avant-garde, dystopian, complex, theatrical

Tracklist

  1. Lemmings (Including Cog) (11:36)
  2. Man (10:19)
  3. A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers (23:04)
  4. ManErg - Sounds Of The 70s Session / 1971 (11:09)
  5. Theme One - Sounds Of The 70s Session / 1971 (02:56)
  6. Vision - Sounds Of The 70s Session / 1971 (03:13)
  7. Darkness - Sounds Of The 70s Session / 1971 (07:17)
  8. Lemmings (Including Cog) - New Stereo Mix 2021 (11:39)
  9. Man-Erg - New Stereo Mix 2021 (10:22)
  10. A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers - New Stereo Mix 2021 (23:17)
  11. Theme One - New Stereo Mix 2021 (03:10)
  12. W - New Stereo Mix 2021 (04:35)

Credits

  • Peter Hammill - lead and backing vocals, piano, hohner pianet, acoustic and slide guitar
  • David Jackson - tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, flute, vocals
  • Hugh Banton - hammond e & c and farfisa professional organs, piano, mellotron, arp synthesizer, bass pedals, bass guitar, psychedelic razor, vocals
  • Guy Evans - drums, timpani, percussion, piano
  • Robert Fripp - electric guitar on "lemmings (including 'cog')", "man-erg", and "a plague of lighthouse keepers"
  • John Anthony - production
  • Robin Cable - engineering
  • David Hentschel - engineering
  • Ken Scott - engineering
  • Mike and Dave C - tape op
  • Howard - brightest hope
  • Paul Whitehead - sleeve design
  • Keith Morris - inner sleeve photography

More from Van der Graaf Generator: full discography