review by thomas

On this, their third record, Giant plays hard and rough progressive rock. The story (being a concept album) is about childhood friendship being shattered in the process of growing up and the three childhood friends ending up in different social classes and environments. The album opens with the great “Prologue”, a heavy song with great saxes. Then comes the quietest song in the set, “Schooldays”, which focus on harmony voices and vibraphone. It gets loud and heavy again with “Working All Day”, again with great saxes, and “Peel the Paint”, giving you flashbacks to “The house, The Street, The Room” from “Acquiring the Taste”. The violin shows up nicely on “Mister Class and Quality?” which segues into the closing “Three Friends”, an atmospheric track with good organ.

As usual we are treated with awesome playing from the group, an interesting story and great arrangement. This album is certainly among Giant’s best, and though it sticks out a little with its heaviness, the Giant sound we all love is there. As usually, recommended for everyone.

The cover on my (American) CD is for some reason the same cover as on their first album; I guess their first album never made it into the American market. The sound quality on this version of ”Three Friends” is inferior to my other Gentle Giant CD’s, but it works pretty well.