THREE FRIENDS

This is another great release from Gentle Giant, stripping back towards a sound more similar to their debut than the previous, more dark and experimental Acquiring the Taste. It is a solid offering that showcases their impeccable instrumental work and unique style.

1. Prologue- This is a good opening to this concept album (about three friends from school who grew up and went their separate ways) and everything is played well. It is not as mindblowing as later Gentle Giant compositions, but it is a very good song nonetheless. 8/10

2. Schooldays- The masterpiece song on this album. This is one of the best early Gentle Giant songs and illustrates their style extremely well. The vocals are all spoken with amazing ability, the song is always interesting, and the song structure is genius. It is fun to attempt to sing to the broken vocal parts. 10+/10

3. Working All Day- Structured very well with a stunning dirty organ solo from Minnear that really makes the song for me. The repetitive nature of working all day in (presumably) manual labor is represented well in the shape of this song. Nonetheless, it is still my least favorite and can drag for me (discounting the keyboard work). 7/10

4. Peel the Paint- This is my favorite song on this album along with Schooldays. It is not near as signature Gentle Giant as Schooldays, but it still is an amazing work nonetheless. The song builds and builds with a conversation between soft vocals and strings, until eventually breaking out into some rock. Thereafter, Green breaks into a psychedelic guitar solo that I see as his best guitar performance with the group. Turn this one up loud! 10/10

5. Mister Class and Quality?- Another very good Giant composition with wonderful keyboard work and signature sound. This song is often overlooked, even when discussing this album, and I never have figured out why it is underrated to that magnitude. This is a really great typical Giant song. 9/10

6. Three Friends- A wonderful closer to the album with majestic vocal arrangements. It is short, but it definitely is effective. 9/10

This album is not one of Gentle Giant's masterpieces, and the fact that it is still incredibly solid and it ranks as one of my lesser favorites from their main period really says something about their material. Another solid album from the Giant! Just not one of the first ones you should acquire.