Why not more ratings for Gentle Giant albums?

[Er, ELP are the most influential prog rock band behind Pink Floyd and King Crimson and maybe Yes and Tull equal them in influence, that's it.  GG is not in the frame at all.  PF, KC, ELP, Yes and Tull make up the big five but since some prog rock fans hate to see PF called prog or just hate the band straight up, they exclude PF and insert Genesis, which would only figure behind these bands. Anyway, carry on, whatever floats your boat]


Uh no. There's a difference between influential and popular. In recent years GG has been much more influential in prog circles(as I've already stated)than ELP. It's not just my opinion either(also as I've already mentioned).

Album sales don't mean everything in the long run. If they did you would all favor the later Genesis albums over the earlier stuff and we all know that's not the case.

I'm not going to keep stating how influential and important GG are folks. I'm done.

Also, sorry to burst your bubble but that is not the definitive big five because there really is none but most of the big fives I have seen(ok maybe not on this site which as I have stated before is clogged with kiddies)does include GG.


Edited by Prog_Traveller - December 02 2013 at 20:17

rogerthat wrote: Prog_Traveller wrote: [Er, ELP are the most influential prog rock band behind Pink Floyd and King Crimson and maybe Yes and Tull equal them in influence, that's it.  GG is not in the frame at all.  PF, KC, ELP, Yes and Tull make up the big five but since some prog rock fans hate to see PF called prog or just hate the band straight up, they exclude PF and insert Genesis, which would only figure behind these bands. Anyway, carry on, whatever floats your boat]Uh no. There's a difference between influential and popular. In recent years GG has been much more influential in prog circles(as I've already stated)than ELP. It's not just my opinion either(also as I've already mentioned). Album sales don't mean everything in the long run. If they did you would all favor the later Genesis albums over the earlier stuff and we all know that's not the case. I'm not going to keep stating how influential and important GG are folks. I'm done. Also, sorry to burst your bubble but that is not the definitive big five because there really is none but most of the big fives I have seen(ok maybe not on this site which as I have stated before is clogged with kiddies)does include GG. I would appreciate if you can back such bold statements as gg has been much more influential in the last few years with cogent, logical arguments instead of shoving it in the face as though you are stating a self evident truth. Echolyn is the only prominent band of the last 20 years with notable gg influence, against which tfk, spocks beard, transatlantic, even dt to an extent can be said to be influenced by elp and yes. Stop pretending elp was only about short term popularity. They cemented prog as a keyboard based style of music. As brilliant as gg were, there is no one thing they did that helped shape the evolution of prog. Lastly, if you agree there is no definitive big six, it stands to reason that you can't call your list typical just because your majesty wrote it. It's typical only in your personal universe; I and most others disagree.

I guess you have your own "personal universe" too. But like I said before I am basing my opinions on prog fans' opinions and from other sites. Anyway, Echolyn but also Spock's Beard for a GG influence. Also the band Advent come to mind. But regardless, you don't have to sound like a band to be influenced by them.

Go to the polls and see my ELP or GG poll. More PA members chose GG than ELP. How's that for proof? Nuff said.

Also, the lists I have seen usually include GG in the big five or big six. They are imo the most important of the "lesser known" bands or maybe  the least popular of the better known bands depending on how you want to look at it.

Stop pretending GG aren't part of the big six or an important part of prog's history. See, two can play at that game.

But you are wrong, many bands used GG as a jumping off point such as Advent, Etcetera and of course Yezda Urfa.  ELP's popularity in hardcore prog circles is less than GG's. You just have to accept that fact. If not go back to my ELP vs GG poll and take another peek.






Edited by Prog_Traveller - December 03 2013 at 00:03

Prog_Traveller wrote: timothy leary wrote: Trust me, Dean we would miss, you not so much. Ask me if I care.

The Mystical wrote: Prog_Traveller wrote: So get off your lazy butts you young whipper snappers and buy some Gentle Giant!!!! Start with Free Hand or Octopus. You won't be disappointed!!! This whippersnapper is more into canterbury.

And this one was only 12% satisfied with GG.


Edited by Dayvenkirq - December 03 2013 at 07:12

Prog_Traveller wrote: Typically GG do fit in as part of the big five(I'm going by other prog sites where I've read this). Typically the big five is: YES GENESIS King Crimson Gentle Giant ELP PF and JT are not universally recognized as prog or big five but I suppose you could toss either one in for a big six. ELP's popularity in prog circles has decreased a lot in the past ten to fifteen years in prog circles. GG are far more respected than ELP these days. So that puts GG in a big five even big four(if there was such a thing). I'm going by my experience talking to hardcore fans and prog internet circles so yeah I know what I'm talking about. Ultimately it's an opinion but if you go by consensus then GG are a lock for a big five or big six position.

lazland wrote: Prog_Traveller wrote: timothy leary wrote: Trust me, Dean we would miss, you not so much. Ask me if I care. Why don't you grow up a bit, and maybe withdraw this post?

Fight fight fight.

The.Crimson.King wrote: ghost_of_morphy wrote: timothy leary wrote: Dean wrote: Xonty wrote: I have rated their albums (no reviews yet though), but I don't own any of them. And in my opinion, I don't think they're as good as King Crimson or ELP, but I agree that they should get more notice  Still a very good and important progressive band - plus I love The Power And The Glory. I've only heard it a couple of times, but I know that I'll probably get much more out of it after a few more (as with most albums in the Eclectic Prog section ), so I reckon that I'll be buying that one pretty soon  <font size="7" color="#ff0000">WAT!? You've rated their albums but don't own any!? You "love" Power & Glory but have only heard it a couple of times!? Make a mockery of the PA why don'tcha.  He rated the recently released 22 cd King Crimson Road to Red with 5 stars so he must know what he is talking about. Gee whiz. LOL.  Who has even had time to listen to that all the way through? I have  http://www.progarchives.com/album-reviews.asp?id=43721

That you have, my friend. Incredibly well done!!! Also. Very entertaining thread. Wouldn't you say?
Oh such minds on PA. It's a beautiful thing.

timothy leary wrote: A well done honest review, thanks for contributing to the site.

GG are my 2nd fave band behind Tull. They are the best 2 composers in prog

ELP were a band for the moment BUT I do think if people can splurge 5 stars ratings all over Haken with gay abandon then my core understanding of what is inspirational and important music has gone missing.