Gentle Giant – The Missing Piece (Steven Wilson 2024 Remix) (2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 39:55 minutes | 802 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alucard
The Missing Piece is a unique album in the Gentle Giant catalog. One half experimenting with new styles not tried before, and the other half proving that when it came to progressive rock, they had few equals. It perfectly represents the versatility, sense of humour and compositional genius of this most singular of bands. Including the same personnel that had recorded the previous years In’terview – Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Gary Green and John ‘Pugwash’ Weathers, and yet it felt different. Marking a change in direction following their successful In’terview tour, the album received mixed reviews upon its initial release, but has since grown in stature, praised for its forward-thinking sound and experimental nature. We are now pleased to present this record in its full glory and the best it’s ever sounded.
Continuing his association with Gentle Giant, award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson has remixed The Missing Piece in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound and Instrumental Mixes. His tonal range and painstaking attention to sound quality gives the album a fresh and exhilarating sonic lift. Within the Blu-Ray are newly created visuals for each track.
Available in aTri-fold digisleeve plus booklet with CD including 2024 Steven Wilson Remix and Blu-Ray including 2024 Steven Wilson Remix, Dolby Atmos, Stereo and Instrumental Mixes.
The Missing Piece was Gentle Giant’s last album to chart in the U.S. Until 1977 Gentle Giant’s complicated music won them fans all over the world, but as market tastes changed, their fan base ceased to grow. In an attempt to attract a wider audience, the band decided to streamline its sound with simpler styles and a more “live” sound. There were always distinctions between their complex studio work and their concert arrangements, so they now brought the two together by testing material on the road that might work well both live and in the studio. Compared to previous albums, The Missing Piece is an imbalanced effort. New styles from the band included the unconvincing “Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It” (“proof” that they could pump out power chords like anyone else); the cute “Two Weeks in Spain,” a feel-good ode to working-class vacationing; and “I’m Turning Around,” an effective and poignant power ballad. The rest of the album is more in line with the band’s classic topsy-turvy, contrapuntal arrangements. “Winning” sounds like a leftover from the previous album, while “For Nobody” delivers a nice blend of punk aggression and prog dexterity. Apparently the band thought the pop experiment required a second album, the more consistent but oft-flogged Giant for a Day. – Patrick Little
Tracklist:
1-1. Ray Shulman – Two Weeks In Spain (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (03:04)
1-2. Ray Shulman – I’m Turning Around (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (03:58)
1-3. Ray Shulman – Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (02:16)
1-4. Ray Shulman – Who Do You Think You Are? (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (03:37)
1-5. Ray Shulman – Mountain Time (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (03:21)
1-6. Ray Shulman – As Old As You’re Young (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (04:21)
1-7. Ray Shulman – Memories Of Old Days (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (07:22)
1-8. Ray Shulman – Winning (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (04:15)
1-9. Ray Shulman – For Nobody (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (04:09)
1-10. Ray Shulman – Winning (Outtake) (2024 Steven Wilson Remix) (03:31)
