GIANT FOR A DAY

Back in the early nineties, when I first got into Gentle Giant, friends and older GG fans urged me to stay away from the last three albums, namely The Missing Piece, Giant for a Day and Civilian. When the 35th anniversary remastered releases came out last year, I still had not listened to those albums and I thought « O.K., that's enough, I'll make my own opinion about these albums ». So I bought them. The Missing Piece I love from beginning to end, Civilian almost every song I love. With 'Giant for a Day', that's another story. Regardless of what many think about The Missing Piece, I find it is with Giant for a Day that Gentle Giant really changed their sound, and where they failed for the first (and only) time.

Lead vocalist Derek Shulman was now the band's manager, and for Giant for a Day he gave the controls of the writing and direction of the album to brother Ray Shulman, which apparently was a mistake. GG wanted to adapt to the new musical currents, but Ray was not the man for the job. Minnear proved to be more apt at adaptation than his bandmates, as he was mostly responsible for Civilian, which was, all in all, a great entry into the 80's pop arena for GG.

On with the album. Opener 'Words from the Wise' is a catchy pop tune with nice vocal harmonies. Musically it sets the tone of the album, and even though it is catchy, one can hear that things are going to be very different on this album than on any of it's predecessors. 'Thank You' is the closest thing to a folk pop song as you might get from GG, only not really good. Overly simple, and even for a pop tune, it misses the mark. Title track 'Giant for a Day' I really like. An upbeat rocker with guitar lines that remind me a bit of Babe Ruth's'The Mexican'. Straightforward rock, nicely done. Instrumental 'Spooky Boogie' is the only track reminiscent of the good old days, with vibraphones and typical Minnear keyboard work, only simpler. Entertaining and funny. « Take Me » is, blandly put, really dull, and a bit cheesy. If this song had been an instrumental, I can easily imagine it playing in a late 70's porn movie (lol). 'Little Brown Bag' is a decent pop rocker, neither bad nor good. Just entertaining. 'Friends' is a John Weathers track, short but sincere. Acoustic guitars and vocals, nothing else. Good guitar work and nice vocal melody. 'No Stranger', along with the aforementionned 'Take Me', is without a doubt the album's worst track, and probably in the GG top three worst songs. I find nothing remotely satisfying in that song. 'It's Only Goodbye' is a ballad int the same line as 'I'm Turning Around' on 'The Missing Piece', only more modern sounding and a bit less interesting. Gary Green's guitar work in that song is thematic, a sign of the times. Bluesy, but a bit unsincere. Closer 'Rock Climber' is another rocker not unlike 'Little Brown Bag', with Kerry Minnear playing somewhat of a ragtime piano pattern. Not good nor bad.

Undoubtedly Gentle Giant's less interesting album, as far as prog music goes, and even as pop music goes. Follow-up « Civilian » would prove to be a better shot at being modern, but alas, it would also be their last. Good thing they did not call a day after Giant for a Day. Fans will probably like a few songs, but nothing more.