"The Power and the Glory" is the sixth studio album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1974. The album explores themes of power and corruption, inspired by the socio-political climate of the time, particularly the Watergate scandal and Cold War tensions. Contrary to popular belief, the album's title was not inspired by Graham Greene's novel of the same name, though Derek Shulman was aware of it.
The cover art features a King of Spades from a deck designed by Austrian artist Hans Printz, reflecting the themes of power and authority. Guitarist Gary Green has expressed that this is his favorite album by the band. Notably, a verse from the track "Proclamation" was sampled in Travis Scott's song "Hyaena" from the album Utopia, showcasing the album's lasting influence in modern music.
The Power and the Glory was originally released in the US and Canada by Capitol Records, marking the band's association with the label until their album Civilian. The LP featured a distinctive die-cut cover with rounded upper corners, adding a unique touch to its presentation.
In a 2010 interview, Derek Shulman revealed that the band was working on an animated film inspired by the album's themes, characters, and songs. This project culminated in the Blu-ray release of the album in July 2014, which included the animations and a remix by Steven Wilson in both stereo and 5.1 surround formats. The new edition was issued by Alucard, the company that managed Gentle Giant's catalog, further enhancing the album's legacy.
