Gentle Giant introduction.

Someone tell me what Gentle Giant album to start out with. many of my peers have recommended them to me, and they are regaurded quite highly here.

My favorite bands curerently are Yes, Muse, King Crimson, Radiohead, Dream Theater, Genesis.

that should explain the sound i like the most. Based on that, what album should i start with?

awesome, awesome. I need 4 mroe bucks. then i'll get one of thsoe.

Trouserpress will no doubt give some extremely detailed advice, but if I were you I'd start with Acquiring The Taste, not their best album but probably the best indicator of whether you'll like their other albums or not. 3 Friends is splendid, but more instantly accessible than most of their other key albums, while Octopus and the albums which followed it are dazzlingly complex most of the time and can be a bit off putting for the newbie.

Having said all that, you won't go far wrong with anything pre 1976, but their last couple of studio albums were disappointing.

No. Don't get Edge of Twilight as you may well end up REALLY liking GG and buying all those songs over again in their respective albums! Best Of compilations are for wimps.

So anyway, here's my "extremely detailed advice", as Syz accurately predicted I'd provide. Rather than letting us make the decision for you, here's a rundown of all GG's important albums by mood, texture and so on to give you a simple method of selecting which you think would suit you best:

1. Gentle Giant - The debut. Eclectic, adventurous yet less complex than later albums. Somewhat downbeat feel but still quite fun.
2. Acquiring the Taste - GG begin to find their feet. Dark, weird, complex and very arranged. This sound is less indicative of their later work though.
3. Three Friends - Quieter than AtT but less patchy and more of a challenge for the close listener. Moods range from dark to melancholy to ghostly and ethereal.
4. Octopus - A "bunch o' songs" with very little linking them other than complexity, eclecticism and a sense of fun. The production's a bit mushy though, and that may bother you.
5. In a Glass House - GG's most cerebral album so far. Longer compositions than many with the traditional huge range of instruments and densely interwoven parts. I think this album is the best example of their classic style in studio.
6. The Power and the Glory - A cleaner sounding, more aggressive album. Jazz and funk elements make themselves more felt than on previous records, as does the sense of avant garde experimentalism. Still quite accessible though.
7. Free Hand - Crisp sound quality, tight arrangements. Their most eclectic work since Octopus featuring influences from fugues to funk.
8. Interview - Their most unashamedly weird and experimental work. Not for the faint hearted. Mind-bending time signatures, weird dissonant harmonies and a very "clinical" mood, almost like a scientific experiment in music. A lot of fun for those who take pleasure in that sort of thing, though.
9. Playing the Fool (Live) - GG had a lot more power and punch live, but their cheeky habit of rearranging songs into medley form and twisting tunes in unexpected ways might make it daunting for someone unfamiliar with the songs already. Ballsy, wild and fun.

So, there's a synopsis of peak GG for you! ANY of those albums is a good door to their work, and I suggest picking a couple, one from their earlier days (GG-Octo) and one from their later period (IaGH-PtF) to give you a better sense of what's ahead of you. My other advice is to a) GIVE THEM SEVERAL LISTENS. Not everybody likes GG first go, but eventually it sinks in for most proggers, so don't give up if you ain't getting your kicks immediately and b) AVOID ANY ALBUMS OTHER THAN THOSE I'VE MENTIONED. Not only are there the infamous final 3 "sell-out" albums, but there are countless "official" bootlegs on the market, many with dubious sound quality and cheeky paraphrasing titles. Picking up one of them without realising will burn a hole in your wallet and might put you off this paradigmatic prog band! Happy exploring and feel free to PM me with any queries/comments you might have!!

I recommend Octopus and Free hand. Then go of: In a glass house, Three Friends, The Power And The Glory, Gentle Giant, and Acquiring the taste. Then if you want more get: Interview, and Playing the fool. Aviod the last three albums, until you love the band  no matter what they would do.

Trade in all your Dream Theater CDs then get Three Friends, In a Glass House, Octopus, and Free Hand

 

I have purchased In A Glass House (it was the only one at the record store) i've listened to it twice. Its starting to sink in, and i'm liking it more and more. (i'm listening to it for the 3rd time as i type this)

the singers voice is really cool! he sounds so.....pretty. like singing a fairy tale song. Then all of a sudden they start rocking. I'm really interested in this stuff.