from the LP Three Friends, Vertigo Records, 1972Okay, so there’s prog ROCK (ala Rush, Yes or Atomic Rooster) and then there’s PROG rock (ala Jethro Tull, Genesis or ELP)---if you jump several notches farther out than both ends along that spectrum, there you will find the strange & fascinating world which is Gentle Giant, existing in the space beyond; full disclosure here: some of their stuff is even too complex for me to enjoy, which is saying a lot given much of the crazy shit I listen to. All of Giant’s members being ridiculously prodigious multi-instrumentalists might have something to do with it, but their works go beyond just talent; indeed, their aim to merge vibrations from our distant past with the electronic future (always in some outlandish panoply of time signatures) was both noble and, sometimes, mind-bendingly successful. The great thing about their unique sound was that they weren’t afraid to rock the fuck out when need be, and they show their teeth on this, their third LP, quite a bit. I’m not terribly big on concept albums, but this one works just fine, the reality of the many differing roads young pals wind up taking in life being a storyline that’s easy & natural to connect with, “…once three friends, sweet in sadness, now part of their past…in the end, full of gladness, went from class to class…” Their work is an acquired taste, a true challenge to one’s musical expectations, but well worth the effort if you like progressive rock. If you don’t, cover your ears and run…run fast!!
