THREE FRIENDS

This is one of the few albums from this band that I actually enjoy listening to it all the way. There are no awkward or overly strange moments here (unlike Octopus). Here, they focus into writing more accessible music, without losing their 'prog' sound.

1. Prologue : Begins the album and introduces a musical theme that is explored throught the track. That soaring riff can stay on your head and you may find yourself whistling to its melody. The music sounds innocent here, and it is the beginning of the story between the three friends. 6.5/10

2. Schooldays : Easily my favourite Gentle Giant Tune. This mini-epic is incredible! It is one of the funnest songs to sing-along to (not easy to do) and has brilliant bass playing. Beginning with a great haunting vibraphone melody, and a weird echoed-vocal harmony, it later turns into a happy and bouncy vocal melody with strange rhythms and vibraphone leading the part, the bass playing is simple yet great here. Then the vibraphone of the beginning and the bouncy melody are repeated, until you hear something different in its chorus. The bass playing is incredibly fast and furious and piano chords are heard. Later the piano dominates into a dark haunting piece with melancholic vocal harmonies that gives me goosebumps. The dark section ends and an amazing vibraphone solo with backing piano chords commences. After that solo, the chorus is heard again with its frenzied bass playing. 10/10

3. Working All Day : This song seems to be influenced by Van Der Graff Generator instrumentally. The hammond organ solo sounds a bit random and unnecessary at first, but I have grown to like it. 4.5/10

4. Peel The Paint : The other mini-epic highlight of the album. It begins as a classical piece with great violin work, and the main riff played with bass (or an organ) ... later it transforms to an amazing hard rocker with an unforgettable guitar/sax riff and a great guitar solo with such intensity that reminds me of Queen or Deep Purple. 8/10

5. Mister Class And Quality? An good but not great Gentle Giant tune with decent melodies and some strange instrumental breaks that need several listenings to get used to them. 6/10

6. Three Friends : An excellent way to end the album. This is a track in which all the instruments meld together to form a soothing symphonic piece. I wish the vocals were more incorporated in the ending, because when they were used, they sounded fantastic. 7/10

I recommend this album for anyone wanting to try this difficult band, and for any gentle giant fan who have not listened to this one.

My Grade : C+