GENTLE GIANT

I'm confused as to why there are claims that this album is simple hard rock; it's far from it with the exception of perhaps one track. It's true that here is a harder, rougher, and more frantic Giant, but I see more in common with King Crimson than I do Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple. The album starts of with the heavy "Giant", a slightly Crimson-esque tune with some great brass usage. It's an awesome song; my only complaint is that it should have ended differently, instead of reprising. Next, the album goes light and medieval with the alternately mellow and hard-rocking "Funny Ways." Many will recognize this one from Playing the Fool. I really love Kerry's cello, as well as the abrupt switch from medieval, to upbeat rock, then to a more doom-laden almost metal sound. Next, is perhaps one of my favorite GG songs, "Alucard." It combines elements of Avant-Garde Jazz, with hard-rock and R&B to make a really unique punchy sound. It is possibly one of the most accessible inaccessible songs ever made. Next, "Isn't It Quiet and Cold" brings us back to the quirky medieval Giant, although here, I kinda of hear a little bit of Beatles as well. Perhaps, imagine crossing "When I'm 64" with "A Dog's Life" off the Octopus album. "Nothing At All" is the only candidate here for non-progressive music; it does sound like something Led Zeppelin might have come up with circa LZ3 or LZ4. Still, not a bad tune, but this is really the only smudge on this excellent album. Finally, the album's last real song (discounting the rendition of God Save the Queen b/c it's just them goofing off for a minute and a half) "Why Not" really ends the album with a bang. Think "Wreck" with a harder edge and more organ. This one is my second fav on this album (behind "Alucard.") Overall, this is one of the Giant's strongest albums, with only one slightly weak link. Maybe, Shulmans and Co. are slightly less refined than they would be later, but they also seem even more adventurous and daring. That makes the rating 4.5 stars.