ACQUIRING THE TASTE

Acquiring The Taste is Gentle Giant's second album where they take a big step forward in their sound, production, composition and playing. Absurd compositional virtuosity is unleashed on this recording. This is a very dark, brooding album that is loaded to the gills with experimentation and color. There are so many colors and sounds on this record it's almost as if the band is trying everything they know to see which direction they are going to take. But then again, none of their future recordings sound anything like this record. It's truly one of a kind. ATT is a very chromatic record even when compared to other prog albums. It is also very challenging to the listener. To me it's a 5 star album but I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Repeated listening, as with most of their work, is really needed. There is so much to absorb. Isn't that make makes a great prog record though?