It was June 15,1990. I was at my summer home, Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Relative rock newcomers, Giant opened for Heart on their sold-out, epic Brigade tour.
Remember Giant’s semi-hits, “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “I’m a Believer,” or maybe, “Innocent Days?” 35 years later, I’m happy to hear new music from the band as they’re set to release their sixth studio album, Stand and Deliver, May 16 on Frontiers Music.
Founded by the uber-talented Huff brothers, Dann (lead vocals and guitar) and David (drums), Giant broke onto the melodic hard rock scene in 1989 with the release of their highly acclaimed debut album, Last Of The Runaways.
Featuring a new line-up these days, Stand and Deliver still showcases David on drums, and includes Mike Brignardello on bass, Kent Hilli of Perfect Plan on lead vocals and Jimmy Westerlund of One Desire on guitars.
David Huff expressed his excitement for the new album when he said, “Making Giant records has always been our passion! Thanks to everyone at Frontiers, we can make our dreams happen. I know it’s a bit of a different line-up, but whoever is in the band, the legacy of Giant lives on.”
“It’s Not Right” is a good opening track, but it’s “A Night to Remember” and “Hold the Night” that take me back to that hot, humid June night outside of Cleveland in 1990. Both classic sounding songs feature catchy choruses, impressive guitar work and strong vocal performances by Hilli.
One of the power ballads is “I Will Believe.” Opening with a steamy 80s riff right out of an episode of Beverly Hills 90210, it explodes into a passionate plea for love. I really like Westerlund’s guitar work on this song.
The title track is a sing-along banger. If Giant has a signature sound, it lives and breathes here. Listen to this one in the car and I guarantee you’ll drive faster!
“Time to Call it Love” is truly a showcase for Hilli’s wide vocal range and Westerlund’s impressive guitar licks. Lyrically and musically, this is a steamroller of a song.
I’d rather have a few more rockers than ballads, but all things considered, “Paradise Found” is a pretty good one.
“Pleasure Dome” closes Stand and Deliver with guitar fills that don’t step on the colorful lyrics. David’s power grooves on the drums shine as the album crosses the finish line.
I say it all the time…if this were the mid-to-late 80s, the rock radio phone lines would be burning up with requests for bands like Giant! That said, the production and performance on this album are current, technically solid and fit in nicely into today’s crowded music scene.
Whether you were rocking along with me at that show in 1990 or not even on the planet yet, this is a fun, melodic rock record from top to bottom that should appeal to fans of all ages!
I’m Music Magazine Writer Steve Pawlowski
