The Prog Rock Album Club

Moss · 03-28-2014, 08:58 PM

[QUOTE=Trollheart;1432424]

Alright, I know I'm note part of the "Club" but thought I would go ahead and give this one a listen and I'm sure glad I did.

Favourite track(s): “Why Not”
Why?: "why not" Hah! Because it rocks. I like how it starts out sounding like the doors. Has a nice groove. Vocals sound like Steve Winwood. Great Hammond organ sound. Unlike Paul, this seemed the strongest track to me and I would like to hear more like this.

Other thoughts:
Giant: Nice changes. Really liked the middle section where the bass and guitar played unison lines while the keyboard was soloing.
Funny ways: Very nice harmonies.
Alucard: Really? Dracula spelled backwards? I expected scary music but it was more evil monster boogie than anything. Not hugely impressed with this one.
Isn't it quiet and cold: A little too Baroque for me but some nice stuff in it.
Nothing at all: Again, I like the rocking sound. Drum solos are never my thing but this was not bad as the piano came in to change things up.

Least favourite track(s): “The Queen”
Why?: Totally sounds like they needed a filler song to get the album done.

Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad?: I had no idea what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. I listened and formed my opinions prior to seeing Paul weigh in. Now hearing that there are better albums really makes me want to hear more. They are clearly monster musicians and I like all the different textures they bring. I prefer when they rock a bit more so would like to find out what albums have more of that but at the end of the day I will be coming back to this one as I really enjoyed it. Always amazed when I find out about a band like this, makes me wonder how the hell I never heard about them before.

Rating: 3.8

Comments: Can't wait to hear more from this band.

Edit: Have not heard the new Asia, nor do I plan to even try. Not interested even kind of. Does it have Steve Howe? I do love Steve Howe...

Trollheart · 03-28-2014, 09:25 PM

No, Steve Howe retired from Asia in 2013. One more reason not to listen to it I guess.

Nice review of Gentle Giant Moss: glad it worked for you and gave you a new band to check out. Sometimes that happens here and when it does it's all good.

Feel free to join in on more reviews if and when you like.

Anteater · 03-28-2014, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

No, Steve Howe retired from Asia in 2013. One more reason not to listen to it I guess.

It's better than XXX, but not nearly as good as any of the Payne era records. I'm starting to think Downes should just go hook up with the other Asia and leave Wetton to drown in mediocrity all by his lonesome self.

Paul Smeenus · 03-29-2014, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Generally, fairly disappointed, considering these guys are so highly regarded in prog circles.

Well, again, this album is not by any means WHY they are so highly regarded.

It's like forming an opinion on the Beatles based on a listen to "Please Please Me".

Trollheart · 03-29-2014, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

Well, again, this album is not by any means WHY they are so highly regarded.

It's like forming an opinion on the Beatles based on a listen to "Please Please Me".

Yeah, accepted. But you could listen to just about any Genesis album and see why they're the giants they are (except Abacab of course: ZING! Neapolitan!)

or maybe Yes (not that familiar with them) or Rush, so I think that unless this album is VERY atypical of them then it should hold true that no matter what album you hear you should "get it".

Of course, we are constrained in that we're using one guy's personal favourites list, but still...

Trollheart · 03-29-2014, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

It's better than XXX, but not nearly as good as any of the Payne era records. I'm starting to think Downes should just go hook up with the other Asia and leave Wetton to drown in mediocrity all by his lonesome self.

Well it would really have to be, wouldn't it? Couldn't be worse!

I suppose I'll get it, being the Asia fan I am, but I expect to be let down again, for the first time since I bought their second album. You're probably right about Wetton: bring back Payne! Have you heard "Raised in captivity", Wetton's solo album? It's pretty naff. Says it all maybe.

Anteater · 03-29-2014, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Yeah, accepted. But you could listen to just about any Genesis album and see why they're the giants they are (except Abacab of course: ZING! Neapolitan!)

or maybe Yes (not that familiar with them) or Rush, so I think that unless this album is VERY atypical of them then it should hold true that no matter what album you hear you should "get it".

Of course, we are constrained in that we're using one guy's personal favourites list, but still...

Does that rule about Genesis even apply to their 1969 debut? I like GG's debut a lot, but I'm going to have to agree with the rest and tell you that it doesn't have much in common with any of their other recordings, including the weird ones like 1971's Acquiring The Taste or the "classics" like Octopus, The Power & The Glory, etc.

I'll have my review posted before the day's out.

Trollheart · 03-29-2014, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

Does that rule about Genesis even apply to their 1969 debut? I like GG's debut a lot, but I'm going to have to agree with the rest and tell you that it doesn't have much in common with any of their other recordings, including the weird ones like 1971's Acquiring The Taste or the "classics" like Octopus, The Power & The Glory, etc.

I'll have my review posted before the day's out.

Yeah good point. I just wish this guy had selected what are agreed as the best of a band rather than his own personal favourites; seems we may be missing out a little here.

Unknown Soldier · 03-29-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Yeah good point. I just wish this guy had selected what are agreed as the best of a band rather than his own personal favourites; seems we may be missing out a little here.

I'm guessing the guy is a big GG fan, so expect a lot more of their albums.

Unknown Soldier · 03-29-2014, 01:19 PM

Album title: Gentle Giant
Artiste: Gentle Giant
Nationality: British
Year: 1970
Subgenre: Progressive Rock
Player(s): Gary Green (Lead Guitar), Kerry Minnear (Keys), Derek Shulman (Lead vocals), Martin Shulman (Brass and woodwinds), Ray Shulman (Bass, Guitars, Violin), Martin Smith (Percussion)
Familiarity: One of the most revered prog bands form prog's golden era and know most of their discography and am aware that the debut album is a bit of exception to a lot of their discography.
Favourite track(s): “Why Not?” "Nothing at All"
Why? "Why Not?" Really dig its bluesy guitar and "Nothing at All" due to its dreamy feel (Simon & Garfunkel) and then it gets much heavier before its heavy drum solo and I always like long drum solos anyway, and this one is accompanied by some instant piano

Least favourite track(s): “The Queen”
Why? Oddity really and could've had a better final track.
Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad? Gentle Giant are one of the more complex prog bands to get your head around and so any listen can be demanding as you try to uncover everything on offer and even the debut is no real exception here.
Factoids you'd like to share? They have the Shulman brothers, no not just two but three of them!
End impression: I like the offbeat feel of the album overall despite not being in love with the whole album. For example a song like "Funny Ways" I really like especially with its crisp vocals, but then in other parts of that song I really don't like it at all due its changes in style.
Comments: This is one of the early progressive rock albums and given the fact that a huge amount of previous prog related albums were more experimental in their offerings than fully focused prog then this is no different really in that respect. Gentle Giant are a prog band that bridge the gap between what was big in the 1960s and what would soon arrive in the 1970s. For example "Why Not?" has some neat bluesy guitar and "Isn't Quiet and Cold" takes its cue from middle era Beatles, and "Nothing at All" emerges into a hard rocking blues inspired track before dropping back to its quiet opening. Overall a mixed but rich debut that gets the thumbs up but doesn't reach the heights of quality found on say the King Crimson debut, where there are some similarities.

Rating: 4.0 and serves a great intro into the world of Gentle Giant

03-28-2014, 09:25 PM	#742 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	No, Steve Howe retired from Asia in 2013. One more reason not to listen to it I guess. Nice review of Gentle Giant Moss: glad it worked for you and gave you a new band to check out. Sometimes that happens here and when it does it's all good. Feel free to join in on more reviews if and when you like. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

03-28-2014, 08:58 PM	#741 (permalink)
Moss Scuttle Buttin' Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 972	[QUOTE=Trollheart;1432424] Alright, I know I'm note part of the "Club" but thought I would go ahead and give this one a listen and I'm sure glad I did. Favourite track(s): “Why Not” Why?: "why not" Hah! Because it rocks. I like how it starts out sounding like the doors. Has a nice groove. Vocals sound like Steve Winwood. Great Hammond organ sound. Unlike Paul, this seemed the strongest track to me and I would like to hear more like this. Other thoughts: Giant: Nice changes. Really liked the middle section where the bass and guitar played unison lines while the keyboard was soloing. Funny ways: Very nice harmonies. Alucard: Really? Dracula spelled backwards? I expected scary music but it was more evil monster boogie than anything. Not hugely impressed with this one. Isn't it quiet and cold: A little too Baroque for me but some nice stuff in it. Nothing at all: Again, I like the rocking sound. Drum solos are never my thing but this was not bad as the piano came in to change things up. Least favourite track(s): “The Queen” Why?: Totally sounds like they needed a filler song to get the album done. Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad?: I had no idea what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. I listened and formed my opinions prior to seeing Paul weigh in. Now hearing that there are better albums really makes me want to hear more. They are clearly monster musicians and I like all the different textures they bring. I prefer when they rock a bit more so would like to find out what albums have more of that but at the end of the day I will be coming back to this one as I really enjoyed it. Always amazed when I find out about a band like this, makes me wonder how the hell I never heard about them before. Rating: 3.8 Comments: Can't wait to hear more from this band. Edit: Have not heard the new Asia, nor do I plan to even try. Not interested even kind of. Does it have Steve Howe? I do love Steve Howe...