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Topic ClosedWhy not more ratings for Gentle Giant albums?
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poeghost View Drop Down
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Points: 175 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Why not more ratings for Gentle Giant albums?
    Posted: February 02 2014 at 18:38
When I first started listening to GG, I didn't care for the singing. Derek's voice can be kind of piercing and awkward. But I got used to it and now it's part of what makes their sound unique. Kerry and Phil also sing lead and have more soothing voices. I find that the GG songs I like best are with them singing lead or co-lead. But that doesn't mean I don't like Derek only songs. His voice works well with the more powerful rock songs.
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Points: 634 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 01 2014 at 13:07
Apart from all the intricacies, intelligent writing and superb playing I think Derek Shulman's singing is an acquired taste. If you can't get into it, you're not going to like GG. If you can get over some of the forced harshness he is a great singer. 
My Doc Told Me I Have Doggie Head.
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Points: 160 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 01 2014 at 07:15
I think it's simply because they're hard to listen to.  That sounds like a criticism, and it isn't in the least.  Gentle Giant were probably too complex and creative to be popular.  My favorite band is probably King Crimson, and I find listening to Gentle Giant a workout!
I am the funkiest man on the planet!
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Points: 8856 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 31 2014 at 11:14
Originally posted by HemispheresOfXanadu HemispheresOfXanadu wrote:

Originally posted by Polymorphia Polymorphia wrote:

Originally posted by Padraic Padraic wrote:

Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:


Actually, just listening to their debut again - it isn't too bad - but nothing absolutely jumps out and says "This is a masterpiece"

Well, I agree that their debut isn't a masterpiece.
Indeed. I like their debut, but of the GG 8, it's probably their worst.
Free Hand and The Power and the Glory are where it's at. Thumbs Up

And don't forget Acquiring the Taste. Wink
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Points: 29560 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 14:55
Originally posted by poeghost poeghost wrote:

I've only recently discovered Gentle Giant and I'm really getting into them. I've rated and written a couple reviews so far. Will do more as I get more of their albums. What I like about them is that they have such a unique, interesting, quirky sound and use a variety of styles. I actually like that their songs aren't as long as typical prog bands.

M27Barney, I'm curious what you meant about GG being a "Marmite" band?

Wink
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Points: 175 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 12:46
I've only recently discovered Gentle Giant and I'm really getting into them. I've rated and written a couple reviews so far. Will do more as I get more of their albums. What I like about them is that they have such a unique, interesting, quirky sound and use a variety of styles. I actually like that their songs aren't as long as typical prog bands.

M27Barney, I'm curious what you meant about GG being a "Marmite" band?
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Points: 4339 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 11:50
Originally posted by Polymorphia Polymorphia wrote:

Originally posted by Padraic Padraic wrote:

Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:


Actually, just listening to their debut again - it isn't too bad - but nothing absolutely jumps out and says "This is a masterpiece"

Well, I agree that their debut isn't a masterpiece.
Indeed. I like their debut, but of the GG 8, it's probably their worst.
Free Hand and The Power and the Glory are where it's at. Thumbs Up

Also keep in mind that they aren't typically as serious as other prog bands of the time, though maybe not as silly as Zappa.


Edited by HemispheresOfXanadu - January 30 2014 at 11:51
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Points: 220 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 11:48
Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:

Then I looked and noticed that the track lengths were all far too short!

The songs may be shorter but in general they pack way more music into every moment than most other classic prog bands. GG isn't really a band about long and developed structures, they're about textures, layers, harmonies, etc, and compressing everything down into a very small time frame.

Matt
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Points: 8856 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 11:21
Originally posted by Padraic Padraic wrote:

Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:


Actually, just listening to their debut again - it isn't too bad - but nothing absolutely jumps out and says "This is a masterpiece"

Well, I agree that their debut isn't a masterpiece.
Indeed. I like their debut, but of the GG 8, it's probably their worst.


Edited by Polymorphia - January 30 2014 at 11:21
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:52
I actually like "Nothing at all", well the start and the end, ruined by the weird bit in the middle !!!
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:48
Oh well - then VdGG have just bummed out - it has to be Killer - then!!!
You learn something every day - I always thought that VdGG had written it !!!!

Edited by M27Barney - January 30 2014 at 10:50
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:47
Duh - George Martin - I'm on the internet for gods sake !!!
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:44
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

Shame Theme 1 is a cover by VdGG. 

Cover ? oh well - didn't know that - who did the original then?
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Points: 31169 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:39
Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:


Actually, just listening to their debut again - it isn't too bad - but nothing absolutely jumps out and says "This is a masterpiece"

Well, I agree that their debut isn't a masterpiece.
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:31
Shame Theme 1 is a cover by VdGG. 
What?
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 10:04
I think that GG are definitely a "Marmite" band. I have been listening to mainly symphonic prog since 1976 and have never really needed to listen to GG, don't know why, but that's how it happened. I did listen to their debut album on utube and wasn't particularly impressed. Then I looked and noticed that the track lengths were all far too short! That always puts me off !!
Actually, just listening to their debut again - it isn't too bad - but nothing absolutely jumps out and says "This is a masterpiece"...mind you they have done a of of stuff so I suppose that they have probably done something that I would think YEAH - that's good - Like Theme 1 by VDG - by far their best ever piece !!!

Edited by M27Barney - January 30 2014 at 10:28
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geekfreak View Drop Down
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Points: 9872 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 09:49
why
Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake."



Music Is Live

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.



Keep Calm And Listen To The Music…
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Points: 10970 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 09:36
Originally posted by Genital Giant Genital Giant wrote:


Originally posted by geekfreak geekfreak wrote:

well from one whom was a teen when GG came out. Most of my friends and me think there crap. So maybe that the answer.
  You and your friends need to get together for Bee Gees night.
Don't you say nothing about the masters of songwriting.
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Points: 9872 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 09:02
now now that's not the answer bee gee
Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake."



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Points: 104 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 30 2014 at 05:48
Originally posted by geekfreak geekfreak wrote:

well from one whom was a teen when GG came out. Most of my friends and me think there crap. So maybe that the answer.

 
 You and your friends need to get together for Bee Gees night.
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