4 keepers
keeper avg .571
As the seventh album is the one I have it's where I'll start. Kerry Minnear's off-kilter piano introduces the lead-off track "Just The Same"****, though Derek Schulman and Gary Green (sax and guitar respectively) provide complimentary counterpoints so there mostly is no defining a lead instrument, except where Green lets loose one of the most Steve Howe (Yes) guitar riffs ever (he also contributes one to "Mobile"). The busy, classical-inspired introduction of the title track**** heavily suggests the influence of "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", but like that Genesis classic the feel quickly changes as Green's funky, stinging guitar riff introduces a dizzying array of riffs similarly to King Crimson; they're less heavy but played at a much more aggressive tempo. I also hear King Crimson in the angular riffs of "Time To Kill"****, though it's for the complexity of their vocal orchestration that Gentle Giant are often noted, and this song is one example of the reason. Indeed the first half of "On Reflection" and "His Last Voyage" are (or feature long passages that are) vocal-dominated arrangements (the former totally a capella). For the second half "His Last Voyage" takes a King Crimson jazz odyssey, while "On Reflection" travels back in time as just one example of the band's English Folk / ren faire leanings. Derek Shulman's recorder dominates the medieval instrumental "Talybont"; when the full band provides backing on rock instruments the sound is like Jethro Tull, which also describes the album-closing track "Mobile." While reminding me of several prog rock bands Gentle Giant seems to mitigate their more outlandish aspects while proving to be a band of impressive instrumental skill, consistent creativity, and accessible hooks. It's a mystery to me why they aren't a better-known member of the prog rock pantheon.
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