Gentle Giant - GENTLE GIANT***

Giant/Funny Ways/Alucard/Isn't It Quiet & Cold/Nothing At All/Why Not/The Queen

Self titled debut album from the British progressive band Gentle Giant, previously known as the psychedelic one hit wonder Simon Dupree & The Big Sound. The new group became known for the complexity of their music and the multi-musical skills of the members.

“Formed from the ashes of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound in 1970, British progressive rock act Gentle Giant released their eponymous debut album and broke down more barriers than we've come to expect from bands these days. A wildly creative and innovative observation indeed, this album combines dozens of styles into a brand of eclectic rock that can only be described as one-of-a-kind, Gentle Giant offered a style that was vastly different from their contemporaries.”

“Gentle Giant burst onto the scene with an astonishingly well-developed and innovative album comparable to very little else on the scene at the time. The incorporation of medieval inspired harmonies adds a novel twist to the music, and the band's command of mood is masterful. Funny Ways, for instance, changes from a quiet folk ballad with trumpet flourishes into a jazzy workout at the drop of a pin.”

“Gentle Giant's debut is nothing special compared to what they'd later achieve in the studio, but this album certainly holds the foundations of their signature sound.”

“All things considered this is an album and a half, almost ahead of its time. The record features superb production considering its age, powerful drumming, interesting lyrics and of course fantastic music that is creative, complex and incredibly varied. Things can range from powerful to soft to quirky, and from concise to complex, often changing at the drop of a hat. Every musician is a master of their instrument, or several instruments in fact.”

“Gentle Giant would go on to carve out a very distinctive sound, but their first few albums show a band still trying to locate their niche. On the first album this brings with it all of the natural upsides and downsides. This album is eclectic to the extreme, which also means it's somewhat inconsistent.”

”Gentle Giant arguably had the most distinctive sound of all the 70s progressive rock headliners, and it's amazing to see such a complex amalgamation of sonic elements emerge almost fully-formed on this self-titled debut.”