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Review Summary: Gentle Giant go pop, but in a more sensible, transitional way than some of their peers. At some point in the 70s, Gentle Giant had to have run out of fresh ideas. Interview began the slight decline into a state of stagnation (though admittedly that particular album did have its many perks in small doses), and so after the tour promoting that same record, Gentle Giant collectively decided to opt for a different musical approach. The end result was ninth album The Missing Piece, which although isn't too far removed from the elaborate quirkiness and creativity of, say Acquiring the Taste or Octopus, has both feet firmly planted in opposing musical fields.
The Missing Piece is divided into two halves, though at times those halves do overlap a little. Beginning with an uplifting, groove-inflected rhythm, "Two Weeks in Spain" both features flashes of the proggy elements which plagued Gentle Giant's prior material and a nice, sugar-sweet poppy melody which practically dominates the entire recording. Even by listening to the main riff and beat throughout the album opener, you can't quite get away from the idea that the song wouldn't seem out of place on a Top of the Pops programme, yet at the same time, there are moments which remind the listener of Gentle Giant's more adventurous songwriting ventures. This idea of injecting unashamed amounts of pop sensibility is much more appreciated in the rest of the first half of the album, particularly the too-cheesy-to-fall-in-love-with ballad, "I'm Turning Around", which often proves Gentle Giant were trying to do poppy Genesis better than Phil Collins in the late 80s. Naturally, the end result is a very failed attempt, and it simply doesn't work well for the band. As a matter of fact, it's poor quality stuff, and it really renders the first half of The Missing Piece being filler material as opposed to well-written songs.
Just when you think The Missing Piece is about to fall flat on its face, "As Old as You're Young" begins, and it's almost as if you've been thrown into a time machine back to when Gentle Giant were making baby steps into the world of avant-garde prog. Overstated as this previous sentence may be, you really can't get away from the creativity of the song. It's quirky, all over the place, manic, as unstoppable as a coke-ridden roadrunner. Instruments come in massive doses, vocals seem much more in the comfort zone and even the guitar tone seems to take itself more seriously than in the first half of the album. Naturally, the song is far from perfect, because at this point Gentle Giant were still transitioning into fully-fledged pop territory and were even edging dangerously close to identity crisis, but at least it was evidence that the band still had a little life left. Just not much. This affects the next song, "Memories of Old Days", which is the both the longest and quietest tune of the album. Seven minutes of acoustic, melodic musicianship doesn't sound all that interesting, but again Gentle Giant had proved themselves as adventurous musical aficionados because of the more complex songwriting talents developing as the rest of the song progresses. Unfortunately, this was the height of the band's more progressive, experimental approach, something which only touched parts of the album's last two songs, "Winning" and slightly majestic closer "For Nobody", but was still largely evident in the long run.
If it wasn't for the more adventurous songs of The Missing Piece, the album would have been even more forgettable than expected. Yet thankfully, the overall experience seems to point towards a decent set of songs which, although not as powerful or indeed creative as some of Gentle Giant's more well-renowned musical works, still give the listener the impression that there was still life in the band at this point. Put simply, it's a transitional album which has the best and the worst of Gentle Giant's exploration into pop territory, but fortunately has enough juice to keep the music from going stale.
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Album Rating: 3.0
First retro review in a long time it seems. Criticism is very welcome.
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It's either this or Interview that Gentle Giant began their true musical decline (fans can't seem to make their mind up as to which album started that decline), but I honestly think both have their perks and which also keep the overall effort from stagnating. In that respect however, Interview is better.
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I really like Interview, but I've been reluctant to check this out.
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^Same. Interview certainly has its moments, but I must admit that I've never really given this a proper listen. Need to change that.
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Btw, I just realized how similar number-wise our Gentle Giant ratings are! We both have one 5/5, two 4.5/5 ratings, four 4/5 ratings, have Interview at a 3.5, have Missing Piece at a 3, and have Giant for a Day at a 2. Damn, haha
Oh yeah, strange but very convenient!
I'm checking out "Civilian" right now, it's about a fair 3, but certainly better than this and Giant for a Day. I honestly think Interview is the better of the band's post-Free Hand days though.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Two Weeks in Spain: 4/5
I'm Turning Around: 2.5/5
Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It: 2.5/5
Who Do You Think You Are: 2.5/5
Mountain Time: 2.5/5
As Old As You're Young: 4.5/5
Memories Of Old Days: 4/5
Winning: 2/5
For Nobody: 4/5
Now that I relisten to the album, I realize I'm desinterested of it more than ever. It goes to the point I get an headache with just one spin. My rating is now threatened. Civilian is the one out of the last three albums I can listen to and have an actual pleasure.
By the way, I consider Interview to be a classic GG album. Maybe it sounds a bit inconsistent as a whole, but each tracks offer something special.
Great review Robert, and thanks for presenting ''As old as you're Young'' as a gem, cos it's the real standout on here.
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Now you're prodding me to listen to these guys. For whatever reason, not a band that I've spent much time on. (I've heard Octopus and some of the other stuff, but it has been awhile.)
I'm guessing that you like Soft Machine as well.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
The Missing Piece represents the decline of one of the greatest prog bands ever.
However, the album isn't as bad as some say.
Civilian is worst. With it, the band lost is prog footprint.
Giant For A Day is simply awful. The band was certainly embarrassed by it.
The rest of their studio albums are simply amazing.
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Civilian is worst. With it, the band lost is prog footprint.
Interesting you say that, because I actually think it's on par with this album. Definitely agree with Giant for a Day being the worst though. And yes, with the exception of Interview (it's great, but not amazing), the rest of GG's discography is indeed exceptional.
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I don't say that Civilian is a bad album. They lost their prog footprint, because it has nothing to do with the prog sound that we became accostumed all over the years. The album is good by any other band but not for Gentle Giant work. It seems to be made by another group and even the vocals don't sound to Gentle Giant.
I completely agree with you with all you said about Interview (great album), and the rest (exceptional).
And yes, English isn't my first language.
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The album is good by any other band but not for Gentle Giant work.
Agreed, they did seem to be going through a state of identity crisis in the last few years.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
With some modesty, I can say that I am completely comfortable, to talk about Gentle Giant.
I know perfectly well all their studio works. I know mostly of them since the 70's. As you can see I'm a veteran in terms of prog.
I always loved Gentle Giant. In my opinion, they're with Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Camel, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Van Der Graaf Generator and Rush, the ten best and most important groups of the prog music, and the most influential too.
It always was very difficult to have a consensus about their best work. It's probably the most difficult band to have a consensus opinion. Even to me, it's hard to have a final decision. My opinion balance between In A Glass House, The Power And The Glory and Free Hand. However, Octopus, Acquiring The Taste and Three Friends" are also cited.
Of what you wrote: "they did seem to be going through a state of identity crisis in the last few years", you are absolutely right.
Gentle Giant was one of the first and biggest victims of the punk. They never had a good relationship with the media and the recording labels. So, with the advent of punk, and because their music is very intricated, they saw close the doors of the record labels, which was usual with almost of prog bands.
So, they looked for other places and headed for the USA. There, they tried to change their style, making it simpler, rocker and more commercial. Thus comprises the appearance of Giant For a Day and especially Civilian. Unfortunatelly, they completely failed as all we now know. Even the band later admitted it and regrets those two albums and appologised for them.
So, we lost a great prog band that never became a good pop rock group.
So, yes. They lived a state of identity crisis in their last few years. However, we can always say that they were truly giants during almost 10 years.
Sorry if I wrote too much, but it's always been a passion for me to write about bands like Gentle Giant.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
I agree with both of you linguist2011 and e210013. The Missing Piece is really the last real good studio album of Gentle Giant. And yes, it seems the band, in the end of the career, sought a state of identity and they never found it anymore. About the review, you did a good job.
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Thanks for the comments e210013 and Intruder.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
3 or 3.5 has some pretty good shit
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There's some pretty underrated stuff here
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As Old As You're Young is the song that sounds the most like classic GG.
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I'm Turning Around is a pretty good poppy one honestly. It also sounds like Genesis
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I always liked this album very much. It's, for me, their last real good album. All the previous ones are stellar.
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