UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Under Construction is a bit of a mixed bag. The first disc, "Entirely Unreleased Material", warrants repeat listening. The second, "Demos and Out-takes" I'd be surprised if anyone listens to more than once or twice. Still, this is a pretty good addition to the collection of any Gentle Giant fan. I'd recommend it over a particular one of their regular studio album releases, whose name I need not mention.

The first five songs were recorded prior to their first album three of those being "sort of an audition tape". Only Nothing At All made it to that album. Freedom's Child, Hometown Special, Weekend Cowboy, and Bringing Me Down would make a nice EP on their own.

Rondo - Playing The Game and DVS Guitars are some unremarkable fiddlings around.

Robin Hood, The Unreleased Civilian Track, and You Haven't A Chance are all album quality material. I'd stick them on the EP, too. As it happens the Civilian Track was recorded at rehearsal for their Atlanta 1979 concert of which I had the privilege of attending.

The Interview whispers track, along with two live songs from the Interview album are not particularly essential.

Disc One wraps up with nine minute plus sample archive. So if there's anyone out there wanting samples?

Disc Two, as I mentioned before, I only listened to about twice, then I wiped it out from wherever I had ripped it to and no longer listen to it when Under Construction comes around in my music rotation scheme.

Rounding this one up for the pretty good bits on the first disc.