GENTLE GIANT

Gentle Giant's eponymous first album is perhaps one of the greatest debuts of any prog band. While it's not as progressive as some of their later works, it is certainly one of their most eclectic albums. Each song is done in a completley different style ranging from heavy jazz piece to slow 60s ballad. It's not an essential album, but If you like Gentle Giant, there's no reason to not own it.

The opening track, Giant, is arguably the proggiest song on the album with some good singing by Derek, and a nice instrumental part in the middle. Funny Ways is much lighter song, with a fantastic opening featuring Ray on the violin, and pleasent singing by Phil. I find the next tract, Alucard, to be a bit boring and repetitive, although the vocal effects are interesting. Nothing at all is my personal favorite track on the album. It starts off with soft, melodic singing in the style of a sixties ballad. With a bluesey guitar part and load, intense vocals from Derek, the song's mood changes sharply. The only thing I don't like about the song is the drum solo, but other than that, it's a classic.

Highlights: Giant, Nothing at all, Funny Ways

Lowlights: Alucard, The Queen

The Verdict: 3 stars