Late 80s melodic rockers Giant disbanded in the 90s to return well into the new millennium with the Frontiers record label to give fresh AOR with a modern production for the next generation. Just because a music style is nostalgic doesn’t mean it isn’t relevant and “Stand and Deliver” proves that point.
Giant was formed by brothers Dann and David Huff of the Christian rock band Whiteheart. They enlisted bassist Mike Brignardello and jazz guitarist Alan Pasqua to round out the lineup, making a splash on the scene with “Last of the Runaways” in 1989 that garnered a top 20 hit “I’ll See You In My Dreams.” They followed up with the album “A Time to Burn” in the early 90s just in time for a dramatic shift in the musical climate that led the band members to various other projects. Of note are the brothers Huff as successful producers for various artists, including Dann at the helm of Megadeth’s “Cryptic Writings” and “Risk.” It wasn’t until the late 2010s that the band really got up and running again with a revitalized lineup with Kent Hilli replacing the busy Dann Huff as vocalist, and Jimmy Westerlund as the lead axeman for this release.
Giant delivers a platter of classic 80s melodic rock that sounds modern yet nostalgic with “Stand and Deliver.” Guitar driven melodic rock with some nice hook-laden tracks are the order of the day with more than a couple of soft-light tracks for the romantically-inclined. The energy they bring makes well-used formulae feel refreshed like I am hearing this style for the first time. Although band founder Dann Huff is no longer in the lineup, he still has penned a couple of the songs on the album, contributing his golden touch to the project.
Each song is engaging where I never felt the need to skip a song. They have a good handle on dynamics and emotion to form memorable musical moments, usually aiming at a climactic chorus. My favorite is on “Hold The Night” with its Journey-esque chorus that is infectiously catchy. There is a slight melancholic air to the songs dealing with emotional tension played in minor keys, but there are some openings in a major key alluding to hope. Although mostly in the lovesick AOR realm with a couple of ballads thrown in like “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over” and “Time to Call it Love,” there are some dirty bluesy rock songs that drive hard like “Beggars Can’t Be Choosers” and “Holdin’ On For Dear Life.” I particularly like Kent’s command of the mic in the various styles, but particularly the bluesy rock showcasing his incredible vocal control.
The technical side of the music makes it clear they know what hooks listeners: Kent’s voice and Jimmy’s lead and solo work. I love Jimmy’s guitar work, not because it is exceptionally technical, but how it fits so perfectly into the song with a great balance of technique and melody, regardless of whether it is a lead lick or a solo. Even the rhythm guitar work is exactly what is needed without repetitive riffs. But they couldn’t hook the listener without rock solid (pun intended) rhythm in the bass and drums. They are not terribly flashy (although the bass could try varying from its eighth note thumping), but they lay down perfectly what is needed for the vocals and lead guitar to shine.
The final track deserves special mention as it brings many of the good parts together and showcases the band at its most progressive. Synths layer in a theatrical setting like the night before sunrise with a timpani roll leading into a lead guitar like sunlight bursting across the morning sky. A hard rock riff grooves to set the tone, with the thumping bass on full display. The chordal mixture give additional color and juxtaposes well with the bluesy rock vocals. The song escalates and subsides but then pushes to a fireworks finale with guitars and vocals flying through descending chromatic chords that is the album’s final statement.
Giant delivers the goods on “Stand and Deliver.” To my ears, this is just as good as any of the bands in the heyday of hard rock back in the 80s. Although they might not get the notoriety, this album is high quality AOR and would be a great treat for anyone with a taste for AOR.
Rating: 9.0/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – It’s Not Right
2 – A Night to Remember
3 – Hold the Night
4 – I Will Believe
5 – Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
6 – It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
7 – Stand and Deliver
8 – Time to Call it Love
9 – Holdin’ On For Dear Life
10 – Paradise Found
11 – Pleasure Dome
Giant is:
Kent Hilli – lead vocals
Jimmy Westerlund – lead guitars
David Huff – drums
Mike Brignardello – bass
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Record Label: Frontiers Records
Discography:
Last of the Runaways (1989)
Time to Burn (1992)
III (2001)
Promise Land (2010)
Shifting Time (2022)
Stand and Deliver (2025)
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Lyric video for Hold The Night
Visualizer For Time To Call It Love