THREE FRIENDS

Gentle Giant was among the last 1970s progressive rock bands I started listen to. Not that I didn't hear anything about them earlier. It was only because of the availability of their albums at the time -- it was in an Indonesia small town back in 1970s. Of course, the band's mascot, the smiley, bearded giant, firstly hooked me.

But the music was, and still is, much more captivating -- hard to be digested, yet its strikingly tasty composition is always too powerful to be ignored. This is also the case with this concept album about the relationship between three friends, even though it's basically simpler than its predecessors (say, "Acquiring the Taste"). Every attempt to listen to it is like facing a strange, new menu.

While the sound may seem harder, this album clearly shows how the group actually never had any intention to throw away their progressive spirits -- complex, intricate. The opener, "Prologue", is a lively work with a catchy melody, colorful harmonies, and rhythms accessible for almost anyone; it helps to keep the expectation of first time listeners high. The "Schooldays", the second track with softer moments, offers a unique feel within a little difficult set of melodies. The other songs follow the direction that is already set in the previous song; the highlight is "Peel the Paint" and "Mister Class and Quality?" Great thing should be mentioned: throughout the album, the guitars, the bass and the keyboards not only sound turned high up as if it was intended to blow the listeners' ears, but also used to do some sexiest solos and interplays.

Those who like to be challenged should not hesitate to try this album, and eventually add it to their collection.