GENTLE GIANT

This is a fantastic debut from a fantastic band. While not the masterpiece that some of their later albums would be, the pieces are all here. The experimentation, the intricate harmonies, the varied song styles all show up on this album, albeit not as intricate and varied as the later releases. And there is more hard rock played on this release than any other Gentle Giant record, although only Why Not? is a pure straight ahead rock tune.

And there is plenty for a progger to enjoy. Giant plays joyfully around the edges of it's time signature. Funny Ways and Isn't It Quiet And Cold? show the band's skills with string arrangements (and xylophone). And Alucard has a delicious, backwards sounding vocal track.

But beware of the 1989 release on Line Records. It has an annoying break inserted between Nothing At All and Why Not?. Those two songs are supposed to flow from one to the other. The space (after the first note of Why Not?) wrecks the effect.