'Three Friends' should rate higher

     I believe that 'THREE FRIENDS'should be one of GGs most highly rated albums - say around 4.5.

     It shows the band at it's creative best before its popularity truly started to grow. Arguably, it has broader influences, all the Shulmans and not a single sub-par track as some of the more fancied albums could be said to own. It's magical, mystical, experimental, heavy, melodic, warm, challenging, enigmatic, refined, definitive, complete and conceptual.

     Some may say it's too short [but 'Octopus' is shorter] or that they prefer the JP Weathers era [but Mortimore shows great feel and sensitivity]. Some may say [and perish the thought]...too bad, what it gets is all there is!

     Whatever you may think, it deserves more than 4.19.

     So, are there any other 'Three Friends' fans out there. If you're not sure, I recommend that you revisit it and then let us know.

Three Friends took some time to grow on me, but I definately love it very much now. I enjoy every song on the album (except for Working All Day). I would put "Schooldays", "Peel the Paint", and "Three Friends" near the top of my list of favorite Gentle Giant songs. However, I would not put it on the same level as Acquiring the Taste, Free Hand, and maybe Octopus. I would hesitiate to give a 5 star rating, but it's too good to give it 4 stars. So........4.5 sounds nice.

Maybe it should -- but it's all about the individual feelings and, hence, individual rankings.

I agree with you. Three friends is one of the best GG albums. To me also 4,5 *

If it's a 4,5 star album in your opinion, than it's natural the average is lower, cause others might not like it as much, let's say that some consider it even 5 stars, and others think it's 4 stars, and even some rate it below four, the average will lie somewhere between 2 and 4, so if it rates 4,19, a lot of people seem to enjoy it, or at least not many of the people who rate it low have rated it yet.

 

I expect the average to get lower, for 4 stars is a good rating for the album, and since the fans already reviewed it, it's time for the others to come in and lower the average.

 

I agree Three Friends is a great album, one of GG's best. The only problem is its somewhat overshadowed by GG's really great albums (Glass House, Octopus, Free Hand). It still deserves at least 4.5 stars though.

Bj-1 wrote: It's not my favorite with them, however, I still rate it 4.25/5 currently. It's #7 on my top 10 with them, with #1 to #6 all are 4.5 or 5 star albums in my book.

...how about that...

Pulse wrote: I agree Three Friends is a great album, one of GG's best. The only problem is its somewhat overshadowed by GG's really great albums (Glass House, Octopus, Free Hand). It still deserves at least 4.5 stars though.

pero wrote: I agree with you. Three friends is one of the best GG albums. To me also 4,5 *

TO EL BOTHY:

As one of these people, I haven't yet, but I will, for what it is worth. However ,my view is that 5 stars should be awarded only in the most exceptional circumstances. Personally I am quite disenchanted at all the 5s given by reviewers - it seems to me there are far too many so called 'masterpieces' out there!

Therefore, in keeping with the views expressed in my thread topic ,I'd give 'Three Friends' about a 4.45 and that's not going to vastly affect it's overall ranking.
I don't believe in giving a 5 for the sake of trying to lift the average rating alone.

Good to see so many positive responses to this 'Three Friends' appreciation thread.