GENTLE GIANT

This will have to be my second embarrassment with a review of this famous progband. Instead of being familiar with them for ages I only discovered them a few years ago never ever having heard from them. Strange ? Maybe but not that strange if you realize I have never been on the eclectic side of progworld and my first encounter was pretty traumatizing. My usual category is neo prog, the subgenre I grew up with since 1983 and love now for more than a quarter of a century. When I first heard Gentle Giant I didn't know what to think of it and had only one impulse: turn it off ! But last few years a slight change in my attitude has occurred and I kinda grew used to the band. But a fan I'll never be.

Three Friends was my first review and I quite like the album by now but already stated then as if I had a presentiment: this will be their best suited album for my taste. And after hearing this debut I still believe in that statement. This album is also nice and quite accessible but less brilliant than Three Friends to me.

Giant is the song I know longest of this album because it's a streamsong for a long time now. I'm still not sure how much the weirdness of the bands sound is caused by Derek Shulman's voice. I'm almost used to it by now but I will never really love it. The lyrics are very nice though handling about a giant who is looking at the world from the palm of his hand. Nice, I can say no less. But I will not go that far to call this a great song. 3*.

Funny Ways has a different lead vocalist and this voice is totally different, more soft and gentle than the rawer sound of Shulman. The song creates an interesting atmosphere but again: this is not really my idea of a great song. A little bit better than previous: 3,25*.

Alucard is kind of a rocky song but in a peculiar way. The vocals sound special and give the song a sinister impression. Pretty dark song this. 3*.

Isn't it quiet and cold ? is another proof we're dealing with a versatile album here. Violin and vocals give a roaring twenty's feel to the song. Nicely done. 3,25*

Nothing at all is another versatile and complex track with lots of shifts for a 9 minute song. It starts quiet with gentle vocals. Halfway some original drumming make it sound like a live drum solo on a studio album. Quite original to say the least. I guess this is also one of the better ones. 3,5*.

Why Not is another one in a totally different style. Great guitar is shining on this one. Sounds like an early Gary Moore song to me. Nice stuff but not per se proggy. 3,5*

The Queen is the British national anthem played to GG standards. So slightly weird and a little bit funny but as a real progressive significant effort it fails completely. 1,5*.

All in all not a bad debut really and that is heard through the ears of a non fan. Gentle Giant is indeed a band one can get used to at least to a certain extent. This could be second favorite for my personal taste but I still have to discover Acquiring the taste. Then maybe one or two more and then I will call it a day. I will leave the band to their many fans. Three stars for this debut.

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