OCTOPUS

As I begin this review, I'd say I am at about a level 1.5 on this album. I have heard several tracks, and particularly know "Knots". I like Gentle Giant, but don't know their albums particularly well. I know this is often listed as one of their finest albums. Let's get started.

Track 1 - The Advent of Panurge

We begin with quintessential GG style vocals backed by electric piano and mellow guitar. A quirky riff begins around 50 seconds in. A cool odd-metered rhythm sets up the next verse. I love the slightly jazzy feel. At around 3:40 we get more of those polyphonic vocal parts. Then a tricky instrumental break. After another short vocal section, the song abruptly ends. Lots of cool stuff happens in this track, but it never really "Gels" together into a memorable song. Good but not great.

Track 2 - Raconteur, Troubadour

Vocals & instruments begin together without an intro. A violin creates a countermelody to the vocals. I like the rhythm change following the first verse. Then after the second verse there is a break similar to the first one, then an almost classical melody follows that. Nice! GG definitely have their own "thing" happening. They don't always lock into a groove in the same way other bands do.

Track 3 - A Cry for Everyone

I say that about the groove, and then this one starts out with a steady rockin' beat! This one rocks harder than the previous two. I love the instrumental break at around 1:15. I like the panning of the instruments in the various instrumental breaks. LOVE the groove after 2:30! This one is shaping up to be my favorite track, so far.

Track 4 - Knots

The most familiar track to me, not just from the album, but from GG in general. It starts with the canon-style polyphonic vocals. Xylophones and other tuned percussion along with piano provide accents underneath the vocals, with the full band interjecting from time to time. THOSE VOCAL PARTS! Love it. To me, this is the definitive GG track!

Track 5 - The Boys in the Band

We start with a giggle and a coin being dropped onto a table, before we get a fantastic prog riff from the full band! This one's cookin'! If someone asked, "What does prog rock sound like?", this would be a good track to play for an answer. The groove shifts by around 3:00. This is a wonderful prog-rock instrumental! Great track!

Track 6 - Dog's Life

A classical style guitar riff starts us off here, followed by vocals with an "orchestrated" accompaniment. It gets quirkier and we go along. The vocal and the guitar part alternate throughout. Nice quirky track.

Track 7 - Think of Me with Kindness

A mellow piano and vocal ballad style starts this off. Drums & bass join in after the first verse. Hammond organ and a trombone style synth solo follow, before going back to the song. I like how this one builds. This one reminds me of Procol Harum. Good track.

Track 8 - River

Pretty cool intro with wah-wah guitar and violin playing together with accents from the band. I like the "swooshing wind" effect! Quirky rhythms throughout. I like the instrumental break at around 3:10. Then we get a slightly bluesy guitar solo. I like when the vocals double the guitar. Lots of cool playing going on here. Good track.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

An excellent album indeed. I especially like tracks 3, 4, and 5. The first two tracks are probably the weakest ones to me. Neither are bad, but they don't really hook me in. I'm giving this a 4 out of 5 stars. Very strong album, but not quite to the level of my all-time favorites.