FREE HAND

Having only recently gotten in to this band, I'm surprised that it took me so long to get to this album. After doing so, I am eternally grateful. This, in my opinion, was a masterpiece at first listen and has only grown on me more. This is truly a masterpiece of progressive music. Everything about it just works. The vocals are the best they've ever been, providing the listener with soaring melodies that truly capitvate.Every instrument is pitch- perfect and truly an uplifting joy to listen to.

Every song is either excellent or a classic. "Just the Same" is an awesome song that really elevates the mood. "On Reflection" has some of the best vocal harmonies this side of broadway. Add that to a memorable keyboard line that just grooves throughout and you have a classic. The title track is one of my personal favorite songs of all time. Everything combines on that track and formulates a piece that just has everything in it. The bass stands out very well. The melody is absolutely superb as usual. It is a truly unforgettable rocker that personifies everything done right in progressive rock, it is that good. "Time to Kill" is another great song with the harmony that puts this album ahead of others and gives it that "edge." "His Last Voyage" is the best example of what this band can do. After an intro with high piano and bass, it leads in to a truly atmospheric piece with soaring vocals with a lovely and pleasant guitar accompanyment. Without question, this is melody done right. "Talybont" is an agreeable instrumental medieval in nature, too independant and creative to be considered filler. The album closes with "Mobile" which is a more straight- forward track yet still possesses the quirky charm that runs throughout the album. Again, the melody gives it the quality that makes it a classic.

There is a surprising lack of filler on this album. The songs don't flow together but what the listener is presented with is a collection so wonderfully varied that what could have been awkward is just distinguishing between songs. Gentle Giant is one of the bands where no instrument steals the spotlight, on this album at least. Guitars, keys, bass, vocals, drums, they all mash in to something incredible and something that really embodies harmony between both voices and instruments.

Basically, any fan of progressive rock would appreciate at least some aspect of this great record. Personally, I feel this album transcends a good amount of music either past or present and leaves its mark as being an unforgettable masterpiece.

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