IN A GLASS HOUSE

Gentle Giant being down to 5 musicians do not let the listener notice it too much. The sound is still very rich mainly thanks to the myriad of keyboard sounds and the keyboardist mastery of complex arrangements and hooks. Drumming has become a bit more streamlined (at least they sound more contemporary). Guitar playing gives harder edge to the music but can become quite muscular and supports the progressive direction. As usual with GG, the first track blows me away, this time it is less because of vocals and more because of very complex rhythm structure and subtle keyboard workouts. "An inmates lullaby" is an impressive lush vocal driven lullaby, maybe the most sophisticated one you've ever heard and you won't feel asleep easily ;). "Way of life" combines disco-like beat with a high number of rhythmic shifts and even medieval mini-suites with symphonic moments. This piece is overfilled with progressive moments and becomes to the best tracks by GG. It proves that even though GG could be dissonant, they could also bring harmonies together. "Experience" is perhaps the most known composition with a catchy hard-rock hook. "In a glass house" deserves the same merits as "Way of life", full excellent upbeat playing, energy and even guitar riffing.