Description
Last of the Runaways is the debut album by the American melodic hard rock band Giant, released on A&M Records in 1989. The album was recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey, at Farmyard Studios in Buckinghamshire, and at Master Rock Studios in London, England; with Terry Thomas producing.
After recording two albums with the Christian rock group White Heart during the early 1980s, guitarist/vocalist Dann Huff left the band to pursue a career as a session musician, eventually becoming one of the most requested, reliable, and versatile players in the business. But after years backing artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael W Smith, and Amy Grant, Huff decided to give it one more go fronting his own band, forming Giant with his brother David on drums (who was as well a former member of White Heart), Alan Pasqua on keyboards, and Mike Brignardello on bass. Pasqua and Brignardello were well known session musicians both within (had been featured on albums by CCM artists like Amy Grant, Leslie Phillips, Margaret Becker, Steve Camp, David Meece, and Michael W Smith, among others), as well as outside of, the CCM field.
Giant wastes no time getting to the point on its megawatt debut, ‘Last of the Runaways’. Inside of a minute, you know that one of the central elements is going to be Dan Huff’s killer guitar. It’s a bit ironic that this disc starts with a guitar solo, because a minute here and a minute there is all most folks have heard of Huff’s brilliant playing. Through his early work with White Heart, and his yeoman’s service to artists such as Russ Taff, Amy Grant, etc. Huff has proved his metal (or is that mettle?) on guitar. But his husky voice, heretofore unheard in the lead spot, is used to great effect on each of these tracks. However, this is far from a one-man show – Huff is ably abetted by his brother David (alumnus of White Heart and Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith‘s touring bands) on drums, and Alan Pasqua on keyboards and Mike Brignardello on bass, who have supported an impressive list of mainstream and Christian artists.
A little of a lot of different styles has rubbed off on the guys from Giant. The best description would probably be something like “pop-metal” – heavier than Bon Jovi and lighter than Bloodgood. The lyrics on ‘Last of the Runaways’ almost universally deal with the trials and tribulations or romantic relationships at the turn of the decade. Giant avoids the smutty, “nudge and a wink” approach of most-metal oriented bands, and manages to invest these talks of love lost and won with genuine empathy and emotion. Better than half the eleven songs have striking, memorable choruses. Especially notable are «I’m a Believer», «I’ll See You in My Dreams», «Hold Back the Night», and «Love Welcome Home». Solid musical chops and songwriting savvy make this band of studio stalwarts “giant” in their own right. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, November 1989]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/last-of-the-runaways/1444115200)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I’m A Believer” – 5:43
A2. “Innocent Days” – 5:15
A3. “I Can’t Get Close Enough” – 6:06
A4. “I’ll See You In My Dreams” – 4:45
A5. “No Way Out” – 4:03
Side Two
B1. “Shake Me Up” – 4:16
B2. “It Takes Two” – 4:59
B3. “Stranger To Me” – 5:56
B4. “Hold Back The Night” – 4:11
B5. “Love Welcome Home” – 4:51
B6. “The Big Pitch” – 5:07
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by A&M Records. Digitally remastered and re-issued on CD by Rock Candy Records in 2020, featuring an expanded booklet.
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