"The Aerosol Grey Machine" is the debut studio album by the English progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. Released in the United States in 1969 by Mercury Records, the album marks the band's initial foray into the progressive rock genre. Although it is not as well-known as their later work, it laid the groundwork for their distinctive sound and complex musical style. The album features a blend of experimental rock and progressive elements that would become hallmarks of the band's future releases.
The Aerosol Grey Machine was initially conceived as a solo project by Peter Hammill, the band's lead singer and principal songwriter. However, when Van der Graaf Generator signed with Charisma Records, a deal was negotiated. As part of this agreement, the album was released under the Van der Graaf Generator name. In return, Mercury Records, the label that had originally signed Hammill, agreed to release him from his earlier contract. This arrangement allowed Hammill to fully commit to the band while also facilitating the album's release.
The Aerosol Grey Machine was released in September 1969 in the United States by Mercury Records. Initially, some copies of the album featured a misprint on the cover that listed "Giant Squid" as a track, but the actual record included "Necromancer" instead. This error was corrected in subsequent pressings, and the album was later released in Europe by Fontana Records.
In 1997, the album was reissued on CD by Repertoire Records in Germany, maintaining the original LP running order and adding the first single as bonus tracks. Another 1997 release by Peter Hammill's UK label FIE! Records presented a slightly different running order and included "Giant Squid" along with a previously unreleased early version of "Ferret and Featherbird" as additional bonus tracks.
