"ALT" is the twelfth studio album by the English progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, released on June 25, 2012. Notably, the album consists entirely of instrumental tracks, departing from their usual style of incorporating vocals into their compositions.
The opening track, "Earlybird," holds significance beyond its musical content. It served as inspiration for the Earlybird Project, an environmental art initiative launched between 2014 and 2015. This project was a collaborative effort involving Italian-Russian artist Vladislav Shabalin, who specializes in working with fossils, and Van der Graaf Generator.
The Earlybird Project was conceptualized as an appeal for global environmental preservation, using art as a medium to raise awareness about the importance of conserving our natural world. The thematic resonance of "Earlybird" with this project underscores the band's influence and engagement beyond the realm of music, leveraging their artistry to advocate for environmental consciousness.
Overall, "ALT" not only marks a distinctive entry in Van der Graaf Generator's discography due to its instrumental nature but also highlights their impact through collaborations that transcend music into broader societal and environmental concerns.
