CIVILIAN

After a couple of weaker albums in which the band moved towards a more conventional form of rock, they came up with Civilian, their last and most "conventional" or "non- prog" album. Prog purists may hate it, and GG fanatics may find it hugely disappointing, but I tend to think of this album as a major improvement over Missing Piece and Giant for a Day, the band sounding like they had finally gotten their act together again, even though it was mostly a new act. Judged on its own merits, Civilian is an enjoyable album, although a bit on the short side. Shadows On The Street and Inside Out come closest to the old style GG. Especially the former is a pure, intense beauty. It's a shame the band quit after this album, I would have loved to hear more from the reborn GG. If only I could give it 3,5 stars.