I don't like Gentle Giant

Certif1ed wrote: GG are probably the finest of all the Prog bands in terms of musicianship, songwriting and innovation. If you don't like them, don't worry.

Gentle Giant, Van der Graff Generator, Rush and Magma will always be a mixed bag. Some think they found something new, unique and special(kinda like being a Trekkie). Some will think that they mostly created a bunch of crap and some good music. I tend to fall towards the bunch of crap crowd! GG did have some excellent musicians but they never quite got rid of the complexities which the music style didnt support and were not able to turn their ideas into shear power which they touched on with Octopus and Free Hand.

I'm in GG music since 1973. First album I heard was "three friends". I was overwhelmed. I liked it for it's strange sounds and atmospheres (the fine voices, the reverb of the voices, the reverb on the piano, the three dimensional rooms they created) and for their power and rythmic punctuations (mighty sax and guitar work). - I went back to the earlier albums, found them pretty pleasing. Went with the new albums till "Free hand". Then I lost a bit interest because they became maniacs of their style.

Today I feel that they have done good pieces of music. The only album I like as a whole is still "Three friends". There is IMHO no bad track on it. On the other albums are now and then queer songs to digest. But also wonderful songs to admire.

So I would say that GG is one of the most innovatory groups of the prog rock era. When I listen to some SPOCKS BEARD songs using the GG vocal style I have to laugh. This is not bad music, but it is a quote. They think perhaps it is artistic to do so. Not to blame. But ...

I don't want to miss any other group I like. And GG definitely belongs to that circle. Everyone who doesn't try to catch their music (or parts of it) is depriving himself of marvelous moments of musical atmospheres.

  I've never associated GG with Morris dancing or Shakespearean inspired ditties, but if that's how some people see them, I'm glad I don't wear the same kind of spectacles. [perhaps I'm like the hare and I've lost mine].......VdGG , I second that emotion!

The instrumental section in Peel The Paint is kind of long, but the whole song with vocals is only like 7:30.

And as for boring and uninspired, is that supposed to be some sort of joke? The vocals are light and fun and quirky, and they're songs are abound with vibrance and feeling. So no, Visitor 13, I strongly disagree with you on all points, and I find Spock's Beard to be boring to boot

mystic fred wrote: i am not a gentle giant fan, VDGG or anything canterbury for that matter, i find it all rather twee, medieval and hey nonny no  or whatever you may call it  but it takes all sorts to make a world. i respect other members musical tastes and i don't believe in calling any music rubbish.

VDGG is too twee for me (if it were fun in a twee way I could more easily accept it).  While I do think Gentle Giant has the qualities you mentioned (all part of the charm and fun for me), I appreciate the band's ballsiness.

Maybe you need to get in touch with your effeminate side to appreciate their Giant balls -- and they sure can rock.

i am not a gentle giant fan, VDGG or anything canterbury for that matter, i find it all rather twee, medieval and hey nonny no  or whatever you may call it  but it takes all sorts to make a world. i respect other members musical tastes and i don't believe in calling any music rubbish.

Ghost Rider wrote: Peter Rideout wrote: GG are definitely an acquired taste, and not for everyone or all occasions. It's strong, heady, weird, wonderful "pungent," stuff!  I wouldn't do a marathon listening session either! Much like the case of VDGG, GG's over-the-top music and vocals tend to polarize prog fans into love/hate factions. Perhaps the fact that I've never met a female GG (or VDGG) fan says something.... (I know they exist, though -- there are a few of them here.)      There's another one (female, I mean) - I love GG, they're so unique. Even though it's not an easy listen by any means, a track like "Knots" is pure genius. They're really original and creative.   It's a pity we live in different continents, though - as things are, we're quite unlikely to meet very soon (though I'd love to visit Canada some day).

Heres another female that enjoys GG **And VDGG**. My favorite CD would have to be Octopus, although i'm torn between Octopus/Acquiring the Taste/Free Hand. I'm a pretty recent GG fan but I'm in love :D

It wasnt really an acquired taste for me though, I, with in days, fell in love with Free Hand. Then a few days later fell in love with AtT. Soon after i swooned over Octopus. I actually would really like to hear the rest of their discography. Either way, I'm a female and i love GG/VDGG :D.

Ghost Rider wrote: Peter Rideout wrote: GG are definitely an acquired taste, and not for everyone or all occasions. It's strong, heady, weird, wonderful "pungent," stuff!  I wouldn't do a marathon listening session either! Much like the case of VDGG, GG's over-the-top music and vocals tend to polarize prog fans into love/hate factions. Perhaps the fact that I've never met a female GG (or VDGG) fan says something.... (I know they exist, though -- there are a few of them here.)      There's another one (female, I mean) - I love GG, they're so unique. Even though it's not an easy listen by any means, a track like "Knots" is pure genius. They're really original and creative.   It's a pity we live in different continents, though - as things are, we're quite unlikely to meet very soon (though I'd love to visit Canada some day).

Edited by Peter Rideout - April 28 2006 at 09:50

Peter Rideout wrote: GG are definitely an acquired taste, and not for everyone or all occasions. It's strong, heady, weird, wonderful "pungent," stuff!  I wouldn't do a marathon listening session either! Much like the case of VDGG, GG's over-the-top music and vocals tend to polarize prog fans into love/hate factions. Perhaps the fact that I've never met a female GG (or VDGG) fan says something.... (I know they exist, though -- there are a few of them here.)