FREE HAND

Listening to just the first three tracks (the original side 1 on vinyl LP) is four stars worth. However, if you are familiar with GG live recordings from the late 70s, you should already know them. It starts with "Just the same", reminding the listener of the opener "Proclamation" of the predecessor album (actually the two songs were mixed to a medley on "Playing the fool"), but anyway one of the best Giant rock songs. "On Reflection" features one of the best vocal arrangements I've ever heard, repeated by various intruments later on. "Free hand" is a perfect combination of a driving rock tune and Giant-typical compexity. "Side 2" can't beat this perfect trio but is still enjoyable to listen to. While "Time to kill" and "His last voyage" are nothing special (for GG standards), "Talybont" is a folkloristic instrumental that's more "gentle" than the rest of the album but not very "giant" - it was originally written for a "Robin Hood" soundtrack that never got completed (as far as I know). The last song ("Mobile") has a lot of drive - lyrics and music fit perfectly together here; great GG songwriting again.