GENTLE GIANT

This seems to be one of the first albums that I can really associate with the "Progressive Rock" of the later 70s. It has a wide range of instruments and a lot of keyboards, Songs with no distinguishable structural pattern, a longer length of songs, deep and often philosophical lyrics and of course complexity for the sake of complexity.

All the songs on the album really capture the true essence of progressive rock starting with "Giant" a song about a large humanoid creature being birthed and walking around. The amount of keyboard that is included in this song was almost unheard of and not to mention how you can't really call one part a chorus because there is no repetitive lyrical part. The song itself progresses.

I can really see the progressive music influence on "Alucard." In the intro/main riff there is wide variety of instruments basically just showcasing the skill of the musicians involved. And again the keys. But in the vocal part, the incredible and trance-inducing echo of a choir knocks me out every time.

There are some obvious folk influences on "Isn't it Quiet and Cold?" "Nothing at all" seems to be the mainstream tie of this progressive album. It's not bad but I'd have to say the beginning and end softer parts are the weakest points of the album. The middle heavier and later I'd have to say jazz influenced section is a lot better.

"Why Not?" is great. I love how the guitar and vocal part blend together so well and the keyboard just to jazz it up a bit. The chorus is has a very big sound. This song also seems to have a lot of ties to mainstream rock despite the soft and flutey middle section

The final track makes the album for me the British anthem done Prog Rock is so funny. It just feels so natural. I think I even hear someone laughing in the middle. I do not blame the one laughing. I do not think that is supposed to be a serious homage to the British anthem but more of a "what a common song could sound like."

Overall this album is one of the first prog albums that I can call prog. I like how original it is and I like the amount of sheer talent that had to be involved in making this album. This is a good album to get for someone who is a fan of progressive or otherwise eclectic music.

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