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Although Van der Graaf Generator have already shown on their previous album that they have an unique approach to the genre of Progressive rock, it was due to this oddly titled album that Van der Graaf Generator made an instant breakthrough and took their fans one huge step further into that haunting, gloomy and dark-coloured yet romantic imaginarium.
In fact, it was a strong competition among the Progressive rock albums that were released in 1970 because it was the year when such important albums like In the Wake of Poseidon, Lizard, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Benefit, Gentle Giant, If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You and Trespass have been released. However, Van der Graaf Generator have earned their special place in the hierarchy of the original Progressive rock movement due to their unique sound that was majestically confirmed on H to He, Who Am the Only One as the band's first mature record.
With one of the best songs opening the album, the music slides deeper into cramped gloominess as the music approaches and assembling on solitude as the main theme on the album. The distinctiveness between the haunting beauty of the music and the madness of Peter Hammill's vocals is quite outstanding on this record and creates that the lush and haunting atmosphere of the music really responds to Peter Hammill's first-class lyrics.
Every song on this haunting masterpiece spunk with a mad passion and intenseness. The opener Killer - a song that is about a baleful fish that yearns a camaraderie - is a great example of Van der Graaf Generator' skill to create awesome Progressive rock song without an electric guitar. David Jackson's saxophones and Hugh Banton's Hammond organ blast so fiercely as Nic Potter's bass and Guy Evans' drums draft through a magical atmosphere and making odd time signatures smoothly. Indeed, they have created a groundbreaking progressive music for an active listening experience. Even if Van der Graaf Generator never made another album, H to He, Who Am the Only One would be a classic as this album is one of the best records that the original Progressive rock movement had to offer. Last but not least, H to He, Who Am the Only One is just a perfect album to sample VdGG stuff for any scared "prog" newbie to whom I'd like to suggest 2005 Virgin remastered reissue.