Pedal Giant Animals - Pedal Giant Animals


Year of Release: 2006
Label: Crafty Hands Music
Catalog Number: 8371027816
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:11:00

Pedal Giant Animals (PGA) is a collaboration of two founding members of Happy The Man (HTM), Frank Wyatt and Stan Whitaker. According to the website, the CD consists of unreleased music the two have written over the years, and the desire to share it with all of us. The group also consists of bassist Peter Princiotto (However) and drummer Chris Mack (Illuvatar).

Opening with "Pink Sky" one is immediately struck by Stan's vocals. Although he has sung lead in HTM, his voice seems to have really developed, and sounds strong and confident. A Wyatt penned track, the sparse opening slowly builds into a more symphonic piece. Wyatt's piano rings throughout the track, and his playing throughout the disc does not always hit you over the head, but repeated listens show how big of a role the keyboards play. "Chapter Seven" features some heavier sounding guitar, and the riff reminds me King Crimson's "Frame By Frame".

PGA also leans heavily on acoustic numbers. One of the biggest surprises is the touching ballad "Love," one of the prettiest songs I have heard in some time. Stan's voice really shines on the softer material. "Everything" and "Whole" share a simplicity that proves less can truly be more. The instrumental "Blue Sun" is a pastoral arrangement of guitar and flute.

Whitaker cranks up is guitar on "The Mists Of Babylon," a slow heavy rocker with Wyatt's sax also joining in on the lead lines. "The Leaf Clings ? Quivers" reminds me of the feel of However's Sudden Dusk album, and also shows a jazzier side to the band's music. Our old friend Stumpy from the HTM days returns in a bluesy/reggae form during "Stumpy Shuffle," with Wyatt's punchy sax again sharing lead with Whitaker's guitar. The bands signature track "Pedal Giant Animals" closes the disc, and harkens back to HTM, a true tour de force.

Pedal Giant Animals is a wonderful collection of songs that offers the listener everything from soft acoustic tracks to full blown progressive workouts. There are many moments that will remind you of Happy The Man, but PGA certainly does not follow any sort of blue print. The songs have an open feel, a lot of space, and a great flow. Frank and Stan have more in store for fans, check out the website for all the news: http://www.pedalgiantanimals.com/pga.htm


Tracklisting:
Pink Sky (4:07) / Chapter Seven (3:38) / Love (4:59) / Whole (4:43) / Mists of Babylon (4:27) / The Leaf Clings ... Quivers (3:06) / Turning My Head (7:18) / Blue Sun (4:22) / Stumpy Shuffle (4:49) / Everything (2:41) / Pedal Giant Animals (9:03)

Musicians:
Stan Whitaker - guitar, bass, vocals, percussion
Frank Wyatt - keyboards, saxes, WX5, flute, backing vocals
Chris Mack - drums & percussion
Peter Princiotto - bass

Discography:
Pedal Giant Animals (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: January 14th 2007
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Artist website: www.pedalgiantanimals.com/pga.htm
Hits: 2164
Language: english

  

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