THREE FRIENDS

Gentle Giant's "Three Friends" is an album very near and dear to me. Not only was it the first album I have ever owned of Gentle Giant, but my first prog rock album as well. On this album you definetly get your money's worth. (I mean come on... if you find it, it's bound to be cheap) The music is on this album is not only done in true Gentle Giant awesomeness, but the music is also quite diverse; ranging from abstract 20th century compositions to the hardcore guitar/sax riffs that defined the Gentle Giant sound.

Prologue is a very energetic opener, starting with a drum roll that "lays down the red carpet" for the rest of the album. The interplay between the keyboards, guitar, and bass is a very nice touch and has a nice catchy melody. Cool track.

Next is the strongest (musically) track on the album. "Schooldays" is a very musically advanced song and is a lot of fun to "pick apart". The vibraphone and guitar duets on this song are quite amazing: one moment in unison, next playing complex counter melodies. 6 minutes and 10 seconds into this track you'll find a very slick double time jazz section with an amazing vibraphone solo that I believe to be one of the highlights of the album.

"Working All Day" is next and is a complete right turn from the track that proceeds it. While SD is quick and nimble, this track is very heavy slow jam. In my opinion, one of the weeker tracks, but on an album like this, that means nothing.

Next is the very powerful "Peel the Paint". Though it starts very mysteriously and questionable with staccato string jabs with very strange vocals, the track changes very suddenly into one of Gentle Giants hardest rocking songs. This is song played live (Especially on "Playing the Fool") definetly fits in well in a rock concert setting. Very powerful jams to be found in this chart, and to an extent... almost unGentle Giantesque. There's a guitar and drum duet though that lasts a bit too long for my tastes, but it's not enough to subtract from this awesome track.

Next is the funky shuffle "Mister Class and Quality?". The track begins with some foreshadowing of "Three Friend" 's grand finale. (I love stuff like that) This track has a very frantic and quirky quality to it that is full of interplay and lots of strange little turns that eventually leads right into:

"Three Friends" A very cool closer. The begining starts with an awesome guitar solo by Gary Green and later goes back into the main theme from MCaQ. But it doesn't stay that way for long. A beautiful transition leads the song into a very emotional slow section that fades out to close the album. The organ playing the lovely chords with guitar and bass playing in unison is what really gets your attention. Who would of thought that Rock and Roll could have the same beauty as your favorite symphony?

And now for my rap up: Three Friends is incredible. Plenty of music for you to challenge you prog-ears and enjoy. This may not be the DEFINITIVE Gentle Giant album, but an excellent album for someone to discover them through. Buy it now.