Customer Reviews

Promise Land

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Finally, new album from American melodic rock band `Giant'. `Promise land' is their fourth studio album, marking the second reformation of the band (original reformation came in 2001 with `III' album).

Regarding this comeback, it should come as no surprise that original key player Alan Pasqua did not enter this effort (as in the 2001 reunion) however the `Giant' of 2009 also bares the absence of classic frontman-singer-guitarist Dann Huff. So how does one replace a band's focal point? By bringing in two of the most accomplished musicians the genre has to offer; these are singer Terry Brock (amongst the greatest AOR voices as most are aware) and lead guitarist John Roth of "Winger". The two join original members drummer David Huff and bassist Mike Brignadello.

`Promised land' kicks off as a top AOR/melodic rock album while after the first four songs the band moves into a slightly heavier sound with riffs very reminiscent to the classic `Giant' sound of the late 80s. The new members are actually taking a leading role- performance wise. Brock handles every kind of vocal line, proven particularly effective on songs that begin on a slow rhythm and build momentum during the chorus (best example being the title track). John Roth, on the other hand, throws in arguably some of his most flamboyant-ever performances with shredding solos on most of the tracks.

Favorite songs include: the dynamic `Two words collide', `Never surrender', `Promise land' and `Believer'

I suppose the best way for one to approach the album is without any reserves, concentrating primarily on the compositions and the performances and in all probability you will be rewarded. Regardless of its heritage, `Promise land' is a class-A AOR/melodic rock album that stands on its own, therefore will probably satisfy (musically) `Giant' hardcore fans as well as admires of the melodic sound in general.

After listening to most of the clips here on Amazon I have to agree with a previous reviewer and say that this is no longer Giant. "III" was a decently strong album even though it was missing some of the brilliant hooks that Alan Pasqua brought to the first two albums. "Promise Land" on the other hand is proof that this band without Dann Huff in the lineup is like a 66 Mustang up on blocks with the engine pulled. Huff's guitar playing is like a fingerprint. Anyone that has listened to enough of his session work can pick out his sound even when buried beneath a mountain of Nashville production tweaks. In Giant his playing was at its finest and most unfettered. His vocals were never top shelf, but they had a soulful grittiness that perfectly fit the what this band had to offer. That said, with Dann Huff no longer in the lineup this album sounds like CCM music left over from the 80's. Terry Brock's vanilla vocals remind me of all of the hair metal that wasn't strong enough musically to get airplay past the end of that decade, and new guitarist John Roth's (formerly of Winger) riffs struck me as pedestrian and by the book. Even the occasional guest solo by Dann Huff is not enough to lift this album to the level of songwriting and playability that made the first two albums so solid. I want to like this album, but it just doesn't have the goods. Stick to "Giant" and "Time To Burn" and give this one a miss.

I am disappointed with this album of Giant. Dan Huff who sang on the other albums, played guitar and wrote most of the songs is not really a part of the band anymore so they have a new singer, Terry Brock who is doing a good job. The problem is in my opinion that you cannot replace a guitar hero like Dan Huff. His style was very unique. He plays some parts of this album like on the killer song "Promised Land" which is the best song to me co written more than 10 years agoe with AOR songwriter Mark Spiro. And the other bad thing is really Dan Huff was not involved in the songwriting process too much and so the songs are really weak I must say. Melodies dont stay in your head. I rather suggest get out the first two albums of Giant and enjoy them instead of this one.

At first i was hesitant to purchase this album since neither the original guitar player/singer or the keyboard player was with the band anymore. Since i own the older three albums and wanted to make the collection complete, i did purchase it. To my surprise, the new members DO fill out the shoes quite well. The singer has a great voice and the guitar player is very good also and they still have the Giant "sound". If/when they release their next one, i'll be sure to buy that one as well.

Finally...the long-awaited new release from melodic rock outfit, Giant. The band consisted of the unbelievably talented Huff brothers - Dann Huff on lead vocals and guitar, and David Huff on drums. Giant released what many consider to now be a pair of classics in the genre of melodic hard rock: "Last of the Runaways" in 1989 and "Time To Burn" in 1992. We last heard from the band in 2001 with the release of "III", which was a solid effort but failed to capture the magic of the younger Giant.

These days, Dann Huff is too busy for Giant, being one of the most wanted session players and producers in the business (for good reason - the guy is amazing). So David Huff recruited Terry Brock (Strangeways, Seventh Key) to take the vocal helm for Giant's new release, "Promise Land". Additionally, John Roth (Winger) has taken over on guitars and original member Mike Brignardello still plays the bass. It should be mentioned that while he is not in the official line-up, Dann Huff did co-write several of the songs and does some guest spots on "Promise Land".

Unfortunately, "Promise Land" does not live up to its title and comes off as a mere shadow of the mighty Giant of long ago. Brock is a fine vocalist and has some stellar moments on this CD, but the distinctive vocal sound that makes Giant Giant for me is noticeably gone. Too many of the tracks just wander aimlessly for far two long, devoid of any hint of the fat grooves, catchy melodies, or stunning harmonies that fans have come to expect from a Giant record. Only a handful of tracks remotely caught my attention: "Two Worlds", "I'll Wait For You", and "Through My Eyes", which has a glimmer of the power ballad glory that gave Giant their biggest radio hit. As for the Giant I used to know and love - guess I'll see you in my dreams.

Key tracks: 6, 8, 9

Bill's Music Forum review

After a decade long absence, Giant, one of the best bands in melodic rock, is back...sort of. Dann Huff, the guitarist/vocalist/primary songwriter of the previous three Giant albums is no longer in the band. He has become a sought after producer and didn't have the time to commit to Giant (and hey, if Faith Hill and Shania Twain are knocking at your door, it's hard to blame him.) Still, Giant without Dann Huff is like Talisman without Jeff Scott Soto or an Yngwie Malmsteen album without, you know, Yngwie Malmsteen.

This incarnation of Giant features founding members David Huff and Mike Brignardello alongside Winger guitarist John Roth and vocalist Terry Brock (Strangeways, Seventh Key). Brock's presence alone makes Promise Land worth checking out, and could, against all odds, be enough to make this new Giant work. It doesn't hurt that Dann Huff made some contributions to the songwriting process, as well as a solo or two.

Promise Land is a very solid melodic rock album with a definite 1990-ish feel. Just about everybody involved in this album is a seasoned veteran of the time when this kind of music ruled the airwaves, and that experience definitely shows. The songwriting, production, musicianship and vocals are all top shelf, which is about what I expected from this group. Brock has one of the steadiest, warmest voices in melodic rock, and he turns in a first class performance here. Roth seems like a good fit as well.

Ultimately, as good as the album is there's one thing that can't be ignored. Promise Land is missing the heart and soul of Giant. These songs, which are all fairly well-written, seem somewhat sterile and less authentic without Dann Huff singing them. No one would begrudge David Huff the right to keep making music, but he should have treated this as a totally new band, which it pretty much is. Without Dann Huff, this just isn't a true Giant album. If they had called this project something - anything - other than Giant, Promise Land would have been hailed as a triumphant melodic rock album. Somehow seeing that logo just makes the whole thing seem false somehow.

Bottom line: Promise Land is a good, solid melodic rock album, but it just isn't Giant.

Promise Land has some truly defining moments- Believer (Redux) has that all-embracing chorus that just goes on forever. The track is one hell of a monster with thunderous guitars all over the place, and it becomes clear right from away that Terry Brock was the right choice for this comeback album. And that goes for Dying To See You as well. Here we find a full-bodied ballad with a most authentic feel of desperate heartbreak, just listen to the way the gentle keyboards and Terry's fragile voice melts together...truly magical.

The album has luckily been given a thorough treatment in the mixing room and has a thick, deep and vital sound. The album looses some of its momentum towards the end but that doesn't really spoil the fun; overall Promise Land is a strong album. The rhythm section is crisp and John Roth lays down some fantastic guitar passages while Terry Brock delivers an outstanding vocal performance.

Bottom line: A few minor bumps along the way but when these guys hit it you wanna be there for the ride.

Being a huge GIANT fan,waited patiently for this album.Sorry kind of disappointed.Bringing in Terry Brock to handle the vocals really was'nt a good move,this is not the GIANT of old.Terry Brock really cant handle the punch to handle these songs,much like when he did vocals for Mike Slamer.The song writing is next to their other three albums,fantastic! but without the vocal punch to deliver them it falls into the category of all the other stuff coming out now.It does have its high notes but really is'nt anywhere near their other albums,listen before you buy is great advice.

I can only say that I am extremely disappointed in this recording. I expected something closer to the Giant of the past even though I knew most of the band members had changed. They went way over to the Christian Rock side with little effort to make it sound more like a harder rock CD. I Have nothing against the Christian Rock, I only wish they would had advertised it as such. It's not the Giant of the past at all. There are a few tracks that I will probably keep on my iPod. My advise is to listen to the track samples before you buy, I should have.

I am a huge fan of Dann Huff, who I think is one of the greatest guitarists ever. I was dissapointed he had little to do with this album but I still purchased it. I was really impressed with this album! While John Roth is no Dann Huff... He is still a great guitarist, just different than Dann. I loved every song one this CD, my favorite being the Title track, Promise Land. While it's *not* Giant, it's still great! I won't go into a track by track description, just listen to the samples! Great Work David, Mike, John & Terry!