THE MISSING PIECE

Gentle Giant really started to cut down on their ambitions and aspirations on the deceivingly ambitiously titled "The missing piece". Music gets less complex, somewhat more accessible but in the end, none of the audience may be happy. It's not that the band cannot produce memorable radio friendly cuts - listen to "I'm turning around", the band seems awkward at merging pop with prog unlike Genesis, Yes and Camel did it, more naturally. Vocals were already an acquired taste and even more so for the pop material. The only mastermind who still deserves high praise is the keyboard player who still tastily supports the overall band sound. The rhythm section sounds bored. "Memories of old days" is far away from their previously complex suites but let's recognize the band for attempting to create a listenable epic. Not recommended to anybody but GG fans.