Reviews
Mike Barnes, MOJO: “Banks tackles Hammill's canon with an energetic, imaginative style... The book is packed with new interviews, rare photos, psychological insight and cultural context... An assiduously researched story.”
Sid Smith, PROG: “An authoritative exploration, crammed with photos, posters and other ephemera… Banks’s highly accessible critiques are nicely pitched for both seasoned fans and curious newcomers.”
Kris Needs, RECORD COLLECTOR: “Banks charts Peter Hammill’s life and career with astonishing detail, eloquent perception and force 10 passion… Unequivocally recommended.”
Dave Thompson, GOLDMINE: “A massive undertaking, and a massively successful one at that.”
Rupert Loydell, INTERNATIONAL TIMES: “Intelligent, informed and articulate... ‘Visionary’ is about right, for Hammill and perhaps for Banks himself. This is the VdGG/Peter Hammill book people like me have been waiting for.”
Siggy Zielinski, BABY BLAUE: “Highly recommended... It's almost unimaginable to be a Hammill/VdGG fan and not own Rock and Role..."
READ AMAZON REVIEWS HERE
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November 2025
December 2025
November 2025
A Shindig! book of the year
November 2025
January 2026
CLASSIC ALBUM REVIEW
25 November 2025
“An extensive and comprehensive read… A wonderful book… Even if you’re a completist, you’re going to find something really interesting in this.”
4 June 2026
“Thoroughly researched and fact-checked by Hammill himself... Banks has produced an articulate and comprehensive book which sits very comfortably alongside the VdGG and Hammill boxsets." (click on logo to read online)
4 January 2026
“Despite its scope and depth, the book remains clear and engaging, avoiding academic rigidity without sacrificing seriousness." (click on logo to read online)
1 January 2026
"The level of detail and insight Banks brings to his analysis will be extremely valuable to long-term fans, but his clarity and enthusiasm will also appeal to curious, open-minded music fans who don’t know Hammill’s music. Banks does what all good music writers should do – make us want to listen to the music he is writing about." (click on logo to read online)
23 December 2025
“Banks utilises all manner of expansive and expressive vocabulary... the album ‘review’ sections are revealing, descriptive and intelligently covered." (click on logo to read online)
AT THE BARRIER
17 December 2025
“Banks pulls out a host of informational nuggets... a massive undertaking, and a massively successful one at that." (click on logo to read online)
February 2026
March 2026
2 December 2025
“impressive and immersive... this thoughtful study, very detailed and yet still highly readable, provides a thorough and nuanced critical appreciation of Hammill's work." (click on logo to read online)
28 November 2025
“intelligent, informed and articulate... ‘Visionary’ is about right, for Hammill and perhaps for Banks himself. This is the VdGG/Peter Hammill book people like me have been waiting for.” (click on logo to read online)
BABY BLAUE (Germany)
November 2025
"highly recommended... It's almost unimaginable to be a Hammill/VdGG fan and not own Rock and Role..." (click on logo to read online)
20 November 2025
"Could well become the go-to book about Peter Hammill and VdGG in the seventies... Banks is to be commended on giving us such a fine study of a revered artist." (click on logo to read online)
