THE POWER AND THE GLORY

I always feel sorry for those who just can't get Gentle Giant, as their music was one of the hallmarks of the great progressive rock period of the seventies. And this is one of their finest albums.

A true concept album, this one follows the progression of a political leader from his rise to power, to his end, where his corruption once in office leads to public disillusion.

The bookend pieces Proclamation and Valedictory, based on the same musical theme, are amazing. The former, delicate and complex, with a nice section where the pieces of the structure of the song slowly come together, and the latter, a lumbering powerhouse with the protagonist pleading for his political survival.

In between, you get more fantastic Gentle Giant works, like So Sincere, an experimental piece that could be RIO, and Cogs In Cogs, one of the most energetic songs ever from this band.

Do not discount Gentle Giant for being too complex. You won't regret it.