GENTLE GIANT - In a Glass House (1973-2005) 35th Anniversary Edition / WV (image+.cue), lossless

Gentle Giant was reduced to a quintet on In a Glass House with the departure of elder brother Phil Shulman, but its sound is unchanged, and the group may actually be tighter without the presence of his saxophones. The time signatures are still really strange, and the tempo changes are sometimes jarring, as is the wide range of dynamics, but this is also one of the group's most pleasing records -- they rock out in various places, and elsewhere perform all kinds of little experiments with percussion instruments ("An Inmate's Lullaby"), or create a strange, otherworldly sort of modern medieval-style music ("Way of Life"). None of it except possibly "A Reunion" is light listening, but the challenge does yield some rewarding sounds. by Bruce Eder

Tracklist:
1 The Runaway 7:15
2 An Inmates Lullaby 4:40
3 Way Of Life 7:53
4 Experience 7:50
5 A Reunion 2:11
6 In A Glass House 8:27
- Bonus Track -
7 The Runaway / Experience (Live In Dusseldorf 23rd September 1976) 10:01
8 In A Glass House (Münster 5th April 1974) 9:49
Credits:
Bass, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ray Shulman
Drums, Percussion – John Weathers
Guitar [6 & 12 String], Mandolin, Percussion, Recorder [Alto] – Gary Green
Keyboards, Percussion [Tuned], Recorder, Vocals – Kerry Minnear
Vocals, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Recorder – Derek Shulman
Written-By – Shulman, Minnear, Shulman