THREE FRIENDS

GENTLE GIANT's first concept album is about three friends who meet in school, and how each of them goes on to live very different lives from each other. I have to say that these guys are so amazing, how can you not love their music ?

The first song "Prologue" opens with keys and guitar and then the complex vocal arrangements they are famous for come in.The sound is so rich and full 5 minutes in. Great tune ! "Schooldays" has some cool vibraphone sounds followed by more of those amazing vocal arrangements.This is a rather light and whimsical song until about 3 minutes in when it becomes darker and heavier as the mood shifts continue. Mellotron is also featured in this song. "Working All Day" is a song about one of the friends occupation as a labourer. This is a really good song with great vocals and lots of sax and organ as well.

"Peel The Paint" is my favourite song on this record. It starts rather slowly with reserved vocals until violin melodies take over.This song is about another of the three friends and his occupation as an artist (painter). This song really rocks eventually. The guitar is really incredible and the instrumental interlude is beautifully heavy. More scathing guitar solos too. I just can't get over the emphasis on the aggressive guitar solos. Nice. "Mister Class And Quality ?" is the final friend who is in the upper class of society. This is a short uptempo tune with vocals and organ leading the way. "Three Friends" is another highlight for me. It opens with Green lighting it up on guitar.The mellotron is great especially to end the song.

Overall another must have album from GENTLE GIANT. Highly recommended.