This is definitely not the most prog like album in Gentle Giant’s catalog. Still, there should be enough real progressive rock here to please fans of the genre. I’d say that this is one of the more instantly accessible discs the band created, and it’s actually one of my favorites.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2009 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Words from the Wise
I love the wall of vocals acapella section that opens this cut. It works out from there into a bouncy kind of prog pop piece. It's a fun rocker.
Thank You I don’t think I’d call this track “prog rock.” It’s a cool folk rock number that’s catchy, but not prog. Somehow it reminds me a bit of Joe Walsh.
Giant for a Day Bouncy and a bit odd, this is very definitely prog. That said, it somehow makes me think of quirky punk rock and Devo.
Spooky Boogie A bit odd, this is a swirling little prog instrumental that at times moves into dissonance. It reminds me a lot of something we might get from Frank Zappa.
Take Me This catchy, proggy number reminds me a lot of something from Alan Parsons.
Little Brown Bag More of a straight ahead rocker, there’s still some prog in the midst of this, but not a lot. It’s a good tune, nonetheless.
Friends A mellow and quite folky number, this is just acoustic guitar and voices. It’s pretty and fairly short.
No Stranger A more rock oriented song, this is another that’s not all that prog-like to my ears. It’s a bouncy number that’s quite catchy.
It's Only Goodbye A rather melancholy piece, this is evocatively powerful and more prog oriented than the last few. It’s also a highlight of the set.
Rock Climber Another that’s more pure prog rock, a honky tonk piano starts this and they take it out into another strong rocker from there. It’s a good way to close the disc.
