THE POWER AND THE GLORY

Gentle Giant

Eclectic Prog

4.31 | 1829 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Melomaniac
Prog Reviewer

My first encounter with Gentle Giant (back in 1991). I was already a fan of prog at that time, but I never thought prog could reach these heights!

From the opening notes of Proclamation, I knew that this was going to be a life- changing experience for me. The vocal melodies were so unlike anything I had heard before I could hardly believe my ears. Then comes the instrumental section! Crazy, hectic, original... leading up to the weird chorus of "Hail to the power and glory's way"... I though "To hell with Queen!!!" Anyway, you all know the song, and to this day it remains among my favorite GG tracks.

"So Sincere" is a quirky dissonnant tune bringing jazz and chamber music together. I clearly remember banging my head against the wall when first listening to this one. How can human beings write and play such exquisite nonsense ?

"Aspirations" shows yet another facet of GG, reminiscent of "Think of Me with kindness" and "Last Voyage", wonderfully sung by Kerry Minnear. Hauntingly melancholic and ethereal.

"Playing the Game" is probably my least favorite track from TPATG, but, that being said, is still a great enjoyable track, more straighforward than anything else on this album. Acts a breather with the information overdose displayed so far on this album.

"Cogs in Cogs" is another intricately arranged rocker, with many weird tempo changes, and the middle section "The circle turns around, the changing course is calling" is dizzying. Great track

"No God's a Man" is another oddity, with many mood changes, great vocal harmonies, and odd time signatures/tempo changes.

"The Face" could have been on "In a Glass House", it is that good. A quirky use of the violin, great bass line, very upbeat.

Album closer "Valedictory" (I first heard it on vinyl) is a reprise of "Proclamation", only more dissonant and in a slower tempo, making for a weird, eerie effect. Just makes you want to start listening to the album again, which I did, after 15 minutes to take my breath and realise what had just happened.

Like many of GG's albums (Three Friends, Octopus, In a Glass House and Free Hand) this is undoubtedly a masterpiece. Truly Giants, then and now.

Melomaniac | 5/5 | 2006-7-29

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this GENTLE GIANT review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to Melomaniac
Report this review (#85106)
Buy GENTLE GIANT music online with PA partners
Show all GENTLE GIANT MP3/Stream
Go to GENTLE GIANT page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to The Power and the Glory page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for GENTLE GIANT related discussions