Gentle Giant - Gentle Giant

[zravkapt]

The only thing I really liked on this was "Alucard." The leap in quality from this to Acquiring The Taste is huge...IMO. Anyone think this album is as good as what they did from 1971-75?

[Zeuhlmate]

The leap in quality from this to Acquiring The Taste is huge

Agree completely !

[Scrotum Scissor]

Anyone think this album is as good as what they did from 1971-75?

Well, I certainly do not. It's got some of that Vertigo Swirl "proto" mark to it, yet there are definitely things I *do* enjoy here - like "Funny Ways", "Isn't It Quiet and Cold" and even the first part of "Nothing at All", which has some magnificent vocal harmonies (if very different from the ones they would later develop and cultivate). Don't care much for the rest of the album, though.

[miamiscot]

I've never liked this one very much.

[Trane]

I kind of like this debut, precisely because it isn't as complicated as the others

I wish I'd discovered GG with their debut instead of Octopus or IAGH, because those two seemed so obtuse to non-specialist that it took me some 15 years before "getting the GG spirit".

[strawberrybrick]

Love this album. It doesn't fit any mold (yet), one of those finding their feet, sounds like nothing else kind of records that yet again proves that 1970 maybe have been THE most interesting year for progressive music!

[ProgArtist]

After buying Acquiring the Taste and absolutely loving it I was very excited to get the debut, only to discover the huge difference in quality mentioned above. I do like the first half of the album, including "Giant", which no one has mentioned yet, especially the grandiose trumpet and vocal "ah" parts. "The Queen" is a complete throwaway, IMO, but "Why Not" has a really beautiful Kerry bit in the middle, if nothing else.

Does anyone know what Derek's singing repeatedly in the beginning of the fast section of "Funny Ways"?

[Joe F.]

.

Does anyone know what Derek's singing repeatedly in the beginning of the fast section of "Funny Ways"?

Are you talking about the 'Go your own way or wait for me" part?

While not as good as what would follow, I think this is a fine album.

[JAMOOL]

It's okay - the band definitely has the idea of what they wanted to become, but in my opinion took it a little too slow and careful. Lots of self-consciously proggy moments that don't make a lot of musical sense. Good parts in every tune though, I just wish they tried to rock out a bit more.

That said - "Isn't It Quiet and Cold?" is a favorite of mine. Can't seem to get enough of that one.

[Sputnik]

The leap in quality from this to Acquiring The Taste is huge...IMO. Anyone think this album is as good as what they did from 1971-75?

I agree totally about the jump in quality, and I personally don't like the debut as much as the later material. In fact I don't like it much except for Funny ways, and the beginning of Nothing At All before the "freak out" section. The other stuff is OK, listenable, but noting super special. I agree, though, that The Queen is disposable. The blues at the end of Why Not also seems really out of place to me, and I flat out don't like the freak out in Nothing At All. So all these moments actually detract for me, and I rarely spin this one.

Bill

[Phlakaton]

I like it - but like most - I agree its a big jump to the next one in quality. I sort of compare it to the first Rush album... dont like it too much - but its solid. Then they take off on the second release!

[ProgArtist]

Are you talking about the 'Go your own way or wait for me" part?

I am indeed. Thanks for the answer!

[Pr33t]

While not as good as what would follow, I think this is a fine album.

I'm with Joe. I used to think a lot less of it, but have revisited it a few times recently and really dig it. "Funny Ways" has been stuck in my head for days. One thing it does have going for it is what Trane strawberrybrick alluded to above - it really has its own charm, and isn't as fastidiously structured as what came after it. I've always respected the classic albums, but they've never been all-time favorites for me as they can at times be cold and clinical. You can't say that about this album, even if it doesn't hit the same highs.

[Fracktured]

I love isn't it quiet and cold. It could fit onto any of the first 4 IMO. I can listen to side one but side two always left me cold.


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[mkeneally]

Yeah, sometimes I forget and think that "Isn't It Quiet and Cold" is actually on the second album. It almost feels that it belongs there - except it's probably a couple of ticks too whimsical for Acquiring The Taste, that dark wonder.

I like debut albums of artists I respect because it feels like a privilege to witness their vision in such a raw state. Actually there are several songs on "Under Construction" that would have fleshed this album out nicely - a romp through "Hometown Special" between "Why Not?" and "The Queen" wouldn't have hurt anyone (side 2 as it is is only 16 minutes long or something right? I propose going back in time and convincing someone to stick "Hometown Special" in there).

[JeffCarney]

Fan of the s/t here.

"Giant" is one of the best album openers of 1970.

[Progbear]

Glad I finally heard it (like IAGH, it was never released in the States until the CD era) but yes, it’s not as good as their later period. Quite formative although most of the GG trademarks are already here, it wasn’t as developed/elaborated as later albums and the composing chops aren’t quite there yet. Like the OP said, there was a big leap forward quality-wise from this to ATT.

“Nothing at All” was, if I remember correctly, the longest GG piece. And while it has nice moments, it was ultimately an experiment that failed. That extended jammy stuff did not suit them; they were best at doing short, very complex tunes (see: Octopus and PATG). But that’s what debut albums are for: finding out what works (“Funny Ways,” “Giant,” “Alucard”) and what doesn’t.

[Digital_Man]

The only thing I really liked on this was "Alucard." The leap in quality from this to Acquiring The Taste is huge...IMO. Anyone think this album is as good as what they did from 1971-75?

I'm one of those rare people who does. I actually think it's more consistent than ITCOTCK although maybe not quite as good as the first ELP. It blows away every other major prog debut album from that era(imo)though. I'll admit it's maybe a little rough around the edges and you can hear that they hadn't quite figured out this whole prog thing yet although I wouldn't call it proto. A really great album regardless.

[notallwhowander]

I like it.

Sure, it's not as proggy as what would come after, but I don't think it's a slouch in terms of quality. But then, I tend to like tentative or transitional albums from this time. You know, albums before the breakout, albums by really good bands right before they figure out what they do best. This one fits the bill nicely, and is an enjoyable listen.

[bigjohnwayne]

I always kinda dug this record. It's rough and very human.

"Giant" is a great track.

"Nothing It All" is a gorgeous song that doesn't sound much like Gentle Giant stuck in a bizarre, overlong arrangement.

They would tighten things up the next album or two, but its still worth spinning every now and again.

[mogrooves]

I can do without "Why Not" and "Queen," but otherwise I dig it. That it's not quite "there" is part of its charm, still in a state of becoming.

[EricProg827]

IMHO, the opening track "Giant" is a stunning piece that made for a nice introduction to the band and set the tone for the next 10 years to come. It has everything; power, subtlety & dynamics. I would also go so far as to say that in my view, it's one of the strongest opening tracks on any prog album. Definitely one of my top 5 GG tracks.

[Fracktured]

I don't find it as a leap of quality as much as a leap of direction. So much on the first is light and so much on the second is dark. I think there's quality music on the first, just the direction is so different.

[adap2it]

I don't find it as a leap of quality as much as a leap of direction. So much on the first is light and so much on the second is dark. I think there's quality music on the first, just the direction is so different.

Absolutely right on!

[wilcox660]

I love it! I'm not one to focus on the tired old comparison game.