GIANTS

"Giants" is a decent album from these guys, though it sure has the Billy Sherwood stamp all over it (not a bad thing!), especially the songs on which he sings. He also plays bass (some really nice Chris Squire style), and some surprisingly great drums. I especially like the way they miked the drums for this album - feels a bit like you're sitting in the middle of the drumkit.

A couple of songs or passages of songs still have that Pink Floyd feel. A lot of this album then comes off sounding a bit like a YES album with Sherwood's Squire-like vocals and bass playing, and some very good keyboards from Fuentes. I have to say that I'm not overly impressed with the guitar playing from Samzadeh. It is generally mixed kind of low on the album, and I feel (personally) that the whole album could have benefitted from bringing the guitar a lot more up front in the mix. He favors that "wailing" sound; it's very subtle playing. But he still just doesn't impress me. If Steve Howe is a 10 (and he may just be an 11... ;-) in the world of prog rock guitarists, then this guy comes in at around a 6 or 7? He's good. I like great.

Good album! The opening track is the best - energetic and interesting. I feel like I've heard track #4 "Goes By Gravity" someplace before; perhaps on some various artists compilation album. Or it's very close to some other song? Nothing to skip on the album, but perhaps not as evenly original or impressive as I would like these days. 3-1/2 stars today.