I don't like Gentle Giant

Peter Rideout wrote:   (There are artists I don't like as well, but I don't really feel any need to list them, or ask for validation or approbation of my feelings.)

No, you're usually good about not naming names, but you _do_ indulge in some lighthearted fun at Prog Metal's expense...

As far as GG goes, it's been a long, slow road to appreciation of them for me, but I _definitely_ do now. They were certainly fairly unique in their overall approach and sound, although I do find them to repeat some of their themes from time to time (but what band doesn't, really?).

Certain albums are also more accessible than others. For example, I was quite taken with about 3/4 of Octopus from the first moment I heard it. I've had The Power And The Glory now for several months now, and I'm finding that album to be more of a "creeper".


Edited by Empathy - April 23 2006 at 00:02

Gentle Giant may not have the best vocals, but their instrumental prowess cannot be denied. In fact, I believe Phil Shulman had a lot to offer the band vocally and I always felt his vocals in songs like "Think Of Me With Kindness" and "Peel The Paint" were superb.

Visitor13, you have your just right not to like Gentle Giant, although they were greater showmen than EL&P.

GhostRider, I haven't meet on charts a track with a tune as catchy as anything from Free Hand, to say nothing about Peter Hammill and VDGG.

And proggers can write catchy tunes, and great radio friendly singles, take for instance "Walking On Air" by KC

M. B. Zapelini wrote: Visitor13 wrote: M. B. Zapelini wrote: Visitor13 wrote: They're excellent instrumentalists, but rarely write a decent tune. They're boring and lack inspiration. Their vocals are cheesy - I'd be able to cope with them if the songs were excellent, but they're not.   I'm aware that they are one of the most compositionally and instrumentally advanced bands in the archives. Well, it counts for nothing if you can't infuse your musical knowledge and capabilities with life. And GG rarely could bring a vibrant energy to their compositions, IMO. The impressive level of sophistication these compositions achieve doesn't make up for it. A shame really, since the concept behind the music is wonderful - only the execution is half of what it should be.   On the whole, I like Spock's Beard more. They're not as complex and much more poppy. And maybe this is why I find them better - because they're simpler they're more catchy. And they stay catchy, as well, while Gentle Giant stay average. A case of less is more.   Does anyone else agree with me?   I'm just curious: did you listen carefully to all GG's albums? In case you didn't listen to their entire catalogue, which albums you have listened to? Please note: I'm not saying that someone must listen to a band's entire catalogue to form an opinion about their music, I just want to know if you gave a good listen to "Acquiring the Taste", "In a Glass House", "Octopus", "Live - Playing the Fool", "Interview", "Three Friends" and "Free Hand", which are GG's finest albums IMHO.   I listened to the first four and am familiar with some songs from "Three Friends" and "Free Hand".   Oh well... Facing this, all I can say is: forget about Gentle Giant, you'll probably never like'em. By the way, there's a mistake here, since "Three Friends" was actually GG's third album. Thanks for your answer.

M. B. Zapelini wrote: Visitor13 wrote: They're excellent instrumentalists, but rarely write a decent tune. They're boring and lack inspiration. Their vocals are cheesy - I'd be able to cope with them if the songs were excellent, but they're not.   I'm aware that they are one of the most compositionally and instrumentally advanced bands in the archives. Well, it counts for nothing if you can't infuse your musical knowledge and capabilities with life. And GG rarely could bring a vibrant energy to their compositions, IMO. The impressive level of sophistication these compositions achieve doesn't make up for it. A shame really, since the concept behind the music is wonderful - only the execution is half of what it should be.   On the whole, I like Spock's Beard more. They're not as complex and much more poppy. And maybe this is why I find them better - because they're simpler they're more catchy. And they stay catchy, as well, while Gentle Giant stay average. A case of less is more.   Does anyone else agree with me?   I'm just curious: did you listen carefully to all GG's albums? In case you didn't listen to their entire catalogue, which albums you have listened to? Please note: I'm not saying that someone must listen to a band's entire catalogue to form an opinion about their music, I just want to know if you gave a good listen to "Acquiring the Taste", "In a Glass House", "Octopus", "Live - Playing the Fool", "Interview", "Three Friends" and "Free Hand", which are GG's finest albums IMHO.

Ghost Rider wrote: GG are not an easy listen, that's for sure. But isn't that what prog is about? If I were interested in catchy melodies, I would be spending money on high-charting records instead. Anyway, as Tony F. said, it's perfectly OK not to like bands. I'm no Dream Theater fan, and Genesis are far from my favourites ("Supper's Ready" does very little for me, I'm afraid) - but I don't see it as a problem. I just keep listening to what I like and trying other bands out.

Edited by Visitor13 - April 22 2006 at 13:28

GG are not an easy listen, that's for sure. But isn't that what prog is about? If I were interested in catchy melodies, I would be spending money on high-charting records instead. Anyway, as Tony F. said, it's perfectly OK not to like bands. I'm no Dream Theater fan, and Genesis are far from my favourites ("Supper's Ready" does very little for me, I'm afraid) - but I don't see it as a problem. I just keep listening to what I like and trying other bands out.

Gentle Giant write fine tunes IMO, never had a problem getting into them, in fact I gravitate more towards their style then most traditional prog,

Edited by mithrandir - April 22 2006 at 13:07

Oh awesome thanks for this topic. Nobody really cares about your personal opion that much.

    There is a lot of prog artists that I like.... but I dont feel any need too list them, or discuss them at all