GIANT FOR A DAY

NOT for the first time I wonder at the ears of some of the "expert" reviewers, because this isn't as bad as some of you folks make out. Certainly it's not prog, but prog snobbery isn't attractive. By 77 most prog bands had modified their sound to some extent and this is a year on from that date, so by now the process has gathered momentum. GG go back to their pure pop roots of the pre "Gentle Giant" first album and , as you would expect, craft some very fine tunes. If you need proof of this listen to the first five songs on "under construction" great great pop. There's nothing that is un-listenable with the possible exception of spookie boogie which falls painfully flat to my ears. Words from the wise out yes's yes. The production is utterly wonderful without being in any sense clinical. If only Civilian had the warm sound of this set. "thank you" could almost be Bad Company or Steely Dan, indeed a lot of this LP is reminiscent of Dan , and nobody whines on endlessly about their records. More intelligent pop follows. "Giant for a day" is a lot of fun, whilst "take me" could almost be 10cc or Super tramp except of course it's gentle giant, and that is what sticks in the throat of so many of you, or so it seems. "little brow jug" is everything "betcha didn't think " was not, showing a real feel for boogie not an easy form if you not in the mood perhaps. "Friends" has some nice acoustic guitars and who's voice is that? "no stranger" again very like 10cc, but such musicians might have wrung a little more out of this simple melody perhaps?again the production is wonderful. This comes across as a very happy LP. Ray's bass sound is inviting throughout this set, which he prefers to Civilian and he clearly has a point. The stand out song on the whole LP is "it's only goodbye" bet a lot of fans thought time was already up, but what a great tune this is one of kerrys finest offerings really No really. "rock climer" hints at the stadium rock to come, but is alright. So there you are a great little pop record at the end of a classic run. Bet this one continues to sell into the next century. Who knows when the historys are finally written down and the revisionism has stopped this will be seen in the right light. Prog was a fashion, and times moved on bands make music primarily to pay the bills and so must move with fashion?.if you don't like it that's not my problem and neither is it a good excuse to trash a fine fine record.

Not four stars but only becuse it's pop, not prog otherwise it's as solid a four as you could find.