Review: Gentle Giant, Octopus- 1972

RMR · 11-04-2011, 04:37 PM

Tore--

Good recommendations. I like Both "Nothing At All" and "On Reflection" better than anything on "Octopus." I also have "In a Glass House," which I like much better than "Octopus." I really wanted to get into GG, so I put a few weeks of listening time into both those releases when I got them, and I've owned both albums for about 10-years, but they just never hit home with me.

I don't think GG will every fully resonate with me. They are certainly talented, and their instrumental prowess is definitely top notch, but for me personally, there's just not enough emotion to their sound. Their sound is also much less rock oriented than other prog bands that I like better, and I can appreciate and respect that maybe a less rock oriented sound was their intent, but it still doesn't help the music appeal to me. Also Derek Shulman's voice is kind of a deal breaker for me, and I'm not a big fan of when they sing in the round... it comes across sounding kind of childish to me.

So, to each his own, and that's the great thing about music.

almauro · 11-11-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMR

Tore--

I don't think GG will every fully resonate with me. They are certainly talented, and their instrumental prowess is definitely top notch, but for me personally, there's just not enough emotion to their sound. Their sound is also much less rock oriented than other prog bands that I like better, and I can appreciate and respect that maybe a less rock oriented sound was their intent, but it still doesn't help the music appeal to me.

You're right they're not a trad. sounding rock band, but I find their music to be full of warmth and emotion. I just feel that GG had such joy as they played, that it ingrained itself so forcefully into the music and created some of the most exuberant and cheerful sounds I've ever heard. I find their music extremely exhilarating and a nice contrast to the dour tone of some other prog bands. I'd recommend you try "The Power and The Glory", which is a little more accessible, but still has that GG sense of playful adventure the we all know and love. IMO, one of the best prog. bands, ever. Cheers!

RMR · 11-12-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almauro

You're right they're not a trad. sounding rock band, but I find their music to be full of warmth and emotion. I just feel that GG had such joy as they played, that it ingrained itself so forcefully into the music and created some of the most exuberant and cheerful sounds I've ever heard. I find their music extremely exhilarating and a nice contrast to the dour tone of some other prog bands. I'd recommend you try "The Power and The Glory", which is a little more accessible, but still has that GG sense of playful adventure the we all know and love. IMO, one of the best prog. bands, ever. Cheers!
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I actually really wanted to like GG. I've exhausted all the discographies of the first wave of 70's prog bands, and GG was the last one left with the album a year kind of activity that the other prog bands of the era were doing (my favorite period of music), but they just never hit home. I'm definitely going to pick up "The Power and the Glory" and see if that hits home more than "Octopus" and "In A Glass House". Thanks for the recommendation.

11-04-2011, 04:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
RMR Front to Back Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 360	Tore-- Good recommendations. I like Both "Nothing At All" and "On Reflection" better than anything on "Octopus." I also have "In a Glass House," which I like much better than "Octopus." I really wanted to get into GG, so I put a few weeks of listening time into both those releases when I got them, and I've owned both albums for about 10-years, but they just never hit home with me. I don't think GG will every fully resonate with me. They are certainly talented, and their instrumental prowess is definitely top notch, but for me personally, there's just not enough emotion to their sound. Their sound is also much less rock oriented than other prog bands that I like better, and I can appreciate and respect that maybe a less rock oriented sound was their intent, but it still doesn't help the music appeal to me. Also Derek Shulman's voice is kind of a deal breaker for me, and I'm not a big fan of when they sing in the round... it comes across sounding kind of childish to me. So, to each his own, and that's the great thing about music. __________________ RMR My music reivew site: RMR Music Reviews