THREE FRIENDS

One of the 'classic' GG albums that I had never heard until recently--and a real surprise: I was not expecting such accessibility and song style consistency. The songs are much more played out, following consistent themes and styles for each song's duration--and absent are the amazingly quick and virtuosic turns and changes that become so familiar with the next three albums. Listening to "Three Friends" is like listening to Haydn compared to the Chopin or LIszt that is "In A Glass House." The songs are rock-like--more akin to Yes ("Prologue" sounds like it came from "TIme and a Word" or "The Yesterdays") and VDGG (especially "Working All Day" and "Peel the Paint") than anyone else. While guitar takes a lot of the attention on this album, the keys, bass and violin are polished and profiled nicely. "Mister Class and Quality?" is where the music starts to sound like tidings of things ahead but I fail to connect with the vocal. "Three Friends" helps the album end on a high note--nice mellotron/organ supporting the excellent bass and drums. While I like this album a lot and think it an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection, I much prefer the quirky, jaw-dropping constructs of the next four albums ("Octopus," "In a Glass House," "The Power and the Glory," and "Freehand"). This one still has too much basic 'rock'n'roll' and not enough GG uniquity. 4 stars.