Tag: giant

Another band that suffered big time from the great grunge unpleasantness was Giant. They made two killer melodic rock albums (this being the second) and that was it. Can you believe that? Proof that the music biz was so messed up at that time.

Yes, I am aware there is a version of recording albums for Frontiers but without Dan (The Man) Huff, it’s not Giant I’m afraid. Dan is happy down in Nashville writing, recording, and producing and is doing just fine.

I prefer this album to the first one as this a near perfect melodic rock album. Superb songs, killer production, and some stunning guitar just perfectly in the right places. My favourite track is Chained. This tune has everything that makes the band so good. First of all, it’s a beast of a tune, the melody is off the charts, those harmony vocals are superb, and the guitar playing is just incredible. I mean, what more do you want? A close second is Side 2 opener Smoulder. I just love the groove and vibe to this one, and Sir Dan of Huff really rips on this one.

Superb production from Terry Thomas makes this album really come alive, and it’s one I play often. You should definitely have this album in your collection.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

Is this really a Giant album, or an Alessandro Del Vecchio solo album? Del Vecchio has a hand in all but one of the tracks. For those who don’t know who he is, he is Frontiers’ in house guy who they try to shoe in on everything. The only connection with the original band is drummer David Huff, and bassist Mike Brignardello who have zero hand in writing any of the material. So are Frontiers just using a well known name in Giant? Anyway, let’s listen to the tunes.

Let Our Love Win is a pretty good hard rockin’ opener, with a nice vocal from Kent Hill and John Roth on guitar riffing it up. Never Die Young is a really good song, and props to Kent Hill for another superb vocal. Don’t Say A Word is AOR by numbers, not a bad song just very generic. My Breath Away opens with a really nice riff and melody before ballad city takes over. Highway Of Love has a really great opening, and the hook and melody are really good. It’s Not Over is another ballad and it’s heavy on the syrup. The Price Of Love is ballad heavy at the intro, and the power switch is found at some point to add a bit of oomph. Standing Tall adds some much needed balls to proceedings, with a nice riff and funky groove. Anna Lee is the only non-Vecchio track, and it’s yet another ballad. Don’t Wanna Lose You is another ballad; heavy track with a slight interjection of riffage. I Walk Alone close out the album with yes, you guessed it, another power ballad. So it’s a well played album, sounds great, with too much reliance on ballads for me but, the overriding question is, is it a Giant album?

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Yet another melodic rock band that appeared at the end of the ’80s. Giant was the brainchild of the Huff brothers, Dan and David, who were previously in the Christian rock band, White Heart. The band split up in the early ’90s, and Dan Huff made a name for himself in the country music scene – both as a hot shot producer and writer.

Dan definitely pulls the strings in the band. As well as being the lead vocalist, he is an amazing guitar player, and the intro to the first track, I’m A Believer, shows this perfectly. A great virtuoso piece and a superb melodic rock track. This sets the tone for the whole record, great songs with superb melodies that are well written and played. They had a hit single with the ballad I’ll See You In My Dreams, but it’s not the best track by far. I Can’t Get Close Enough is a great tune with a slow rock groove and killer riff – plus a superb solo and is definitely a contender. No Way Out is a cool track with a nice funk rock groove, big chorus and a very tasty solo. They do try to change things up from the standard hair rock anthems and ballads. Stranger To Me starts with a cool bass line and slow rock shuffle, and is great song that stands out from the others. Last track, The Big Pitch, has a bit of a Van Halen vibe – especially the riff – and closes the album out in style.

A very slick well produced record that does exactly what it sets out to do.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.