Interview

The success generated by the previous year's Free Hand and Gentle Giant's extensive touring to promote it instilled the band a considerable amount of pressure for the follow-up. They entered the studio in February, reputedly less prepared than they'd hoped; but what they delivered was something more straightforward and precise than any of their earlier efforts. As the title indicates, the concept of Gentle Giant's eighth album is a mock interview with the band. The title track chops along under a huge organ riff, its lyrics offering a wry and jaded answer to questions they'd probably been asked a thousand times before. "Give it Back" is unique; its reggae rhythm is obviously a departure for the band, but it breaks into a great instrumental middle section that's more familiar. "Design" is the obligatory (and by now, tiring) a cappella track. The second side starts off with "Another Show," a straightforward rocker in typical Gentle Giant fashion. "Empty City" is a gorgeous song, layered with multi-tracked guitars and a beautiful synthesizer line. When asked by the interviewer (Sounds' Phil Sutcliffe), "What kind of music do you play then?" the Giant responds with "Timing:" a fitting track, it's chock-full of all the things one's come to love about their music. But the best is saved for last. Building up with a mélange of harpsichords and other keyboards that make their rounds underneath a gentle Minnear vocal, "I Lost My Head" erupts into another full-on rocker. Gentle Giant would again embark on a world tour in support of the album, documented on the exceptional Playing The Fool double-album, released the following year. However, the changing landscape of popular music would usher in a different course for the Giant. This would be the end of an era for the band.