When you first hear GG its like what is this ? Then after listening for awhile it hits you out of the blue like a friken fright train ,these guys are AMAZING ! I love GG , great great band and I think so badly underrated has one of the great progressive bands so many overlook !
From watching this channel I got into Gentle giant. I listened to 'three friends' I thought that was very good, then I bought 'Octopus' I did think - what is this, but I've persevered and I dig it! I'll pick up another album very soon....
Fr my first time listening to octopus and Power was I didn't hate them but didn't have a desire to relisten but after I came back to them they became quickly some of my top favorites
"What is this?" was indeed my first reaction when I came to GG, having heard quite a bunch of Prog Rock until then. Very similar to my first hearing of King Crimson's Lizard 😄. Anyway, after a while I felt more precisely how GG really sounded to me: like sort of an academic version of Jethro Tull.
My personal favorite. A little more approachable & not as atonal/polyrhythmic/difficult as some of the others (I disagree with Pete here). There is something so artistic, magical, even mystical about this one. Ten stars. ✨
I'd disagree here too, to be honest. Aquiring the Taste I find extremely melodic and accessible for this type of music a fine introduction (this or Octopus), it's far from as 'weird' an album as Interview or In a Glass House those will both take way longer for prog newbies to get into, I think. With The Missing Piece, Civilian and Giant for a Day, we're entering a (dare I say) 'poppier' side of Gentle Giant there.
@@TheTVisions Maybe....The main "problem" with Aquiring the taste for me is the lack of bombastic power, a main trademark in GG most acclaimed albums...But still a complex and full of diferent textures album...Even the band explain the intention to stay away from every single glimpse of poppery taking all the risk
Pete you are a top shelf, high quality man amongst men . I for one love that you do this ! It's often the highlight of my day and you are well appreciated by me and the rest of us here I'm sure . Sea of Tranquility is right in my top 3 RUclips channel 👍 👍 🙂
"Acquiring the Taste" was actually the first GG album I was exposed to and loved it straight off. A friend of mine sent me a copy because I told him I had read the book.
Great list Pete. I would love to see a Van Der Graaf Generator ranking some time as well when you have time! Both bands took me a long time to get into but they both "clicked" with me around the same time.
“Sometimes you’re in the mood to listen to something that doesn’t sound like anything else.” Pretty much hit the nail on the head with that statement. Certain bands get kudos from me for how unique they are, and Gentle Giant is a wonderful example.
Really late to the party on this video. Thanks for not just the ranking, but explaining the albums. I should be the biggest Gentle Giant fan due to my love of prog and jazz, but I never really knew where to start. I'm doing the deep dive on Gentle Giant tonight. And those last 15 minutes? Awesome!
Ok, before I watch, here is my list: 1. Octopus - the first I ever listed to. Hooked me. 2. In a Glass House 3. Three Friends 4. Power and the Glory 5. Free Hand 6. Civilian 7. Interview 8. Acquiring the Taste 9. Gentle Giant - Alucard is fantastic 10. The Missing Piece - Half of a great album 11. Giant for a Day I got into Gentle Giant because of a weekly radio show that was rebroadcast on a webplayer... cant remember the name now... But it was a couple of hours of Gentle Giant retrospective. I listened to it a few times and then had to start looking up all of their stuff. Sure glad I tuned in that week! thanks for the countdown.
Nice! Octopus was also the first I listened to. I was fascinated from the first note on but it actually took some time until it became my absolute favourite. May I ask why you ranked "Acquiring the taste" so low? I see it as the "younger brother" of "Octopus", the first "octo opus". I would say they continued the way they started at "Acquiring the Taste" on "Octopus" (with "Three Friends" as an interlude). I would say the style on the two albums is quite similar even there are differences in composition and genre influences.
Gentle Giant is the greatest Prog band, with the clearest sense of vision and motivic development lyrically, thematically and instrumentally with Power & Glory being their best example of this. It seems people these days assume prog = heavy and fast scales and individual virtuosity a la Dream Theatre. GG has the scope, virtuosity and musical purpose AND the sum is exponentially greater than the parts.
In a lot of respects, I think of good "prog" as being minimalism (ironically?). The Power and the Glory will likely always be my favorite GG album, as well. Acquiring the Taste, Octopus, Free Hand, and In a Glass House are all definitely somewhere next on my list. However, Interview (a very underrated GG record, imo) definitely has at least two or three of my all-time favorite GG tracks (I Lost My Head being my all-time favorite).
Well, Dream Theater was the best prog-metal band, now surpassed by Symphony X, but Gentle Giant is perhaps prog's pinnacle. I miss them for forty years!
@@joseandrade632 Well, I've been told that Symphony X are a prime example of when a band's members play too much in parallel, in regards to where each performer's own repetitions occur. Used to do a community radio program ('00-'03), where me and a couple others played primarily prog... Our main host was always wearing Symphony X shirts; so, I'm sure I've heard them before. But I still haven't really sat down to do any full-on investigation of any of their work. So, who knows... 🤷♂️ All I know is that "real prog" (in my mind) is when something simple has been made complicated by applying various interference patterns, and that the "really good prog" is when there are multiple interference patterns that somehow can coexist without their integrities being compromised.
@@joseandrade632 Oh I agree. I don't want to bash DT, I saw them in Mumbai.The individual virtuosity approach as a starting point doesn't seem as outright boundary-pushing as say, when I saw Yes & King C
true fans know you have the best channel going thanks pete i've found so many bands because of your channel hope you have some nice weather it great here in wisconsin
Keep up the good work Pete. Ignore the trolls. I've been a long-time prog fan, but only got into Gentle Giant within the past couple years. Currently getting them on vinyl. Love 'Octopus' and 'Free Hand'. Must get the rest. (Check those prices on the Roger Dean cover for 'Octopus' on vinyl. Yikes.) Using this video to target my next Gentle Giant purchases. Thanks.
Don't miss In a Glass House and Three Friends. And The Power and the Glory! And Interview! and... You won't be disappointed. Greetings from a die hard Portuguese fan who loves them since 72 (I was fourteen). Also don't miss Happy the Man, the sole band who dared explore the same regions.
+1 on that. Octopus is the ONLY GG LP I do NOT have. Embarrassingly enough, "Giant for a Day" was the first LP I got and my intro to them last year when I was introduced to them (via an article about the Steven Wilson remasters). Was browsing online for "Octopus" while his video was running and I couldn't find ANYTHING less than 50.00.
I’m loving your reviews. Of course, we’re gonna all disagree on the placement of “some LPS” but who in the hell cares? For the most part you are usually spot on dude. You pull shit out of the woodwork (Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Camel, etc etc) that no one else does. Keep on Rockin’ On!
@@jerrylev59 i worked there 1976-80 so saw them when they toured during that time which i recall was a few. have to admit was not am not a fan. but i am a fan of pete's passion for music!
The interesting thing about GG is that they don't have any recorded material that was not recorded in the 70's. In that sense they are not only a one decade band but a pure 70's one. It is true that Civilian was released in 1980 so you could say they went into the 80's just a tiny bit. I really wish they would have recorded at least one or two more albums but I think they just got burned out and their heart wasn't in it anymore.
They say they were killed by punk. They tried to change once the prog bands lost the favour of the public. I wish they did not move an inch and kept on doing what gave them pleasure. I mourn for them ever since, I just can't let go.
So for me, i always thought that a group make no more than 5 or even 6 best albums... but GG got 7!!!: GENTLE GIANT (7): 1. Octopus 2. In the glass house 3. Three friends 4. Acquiring the taste 5. Free hand 6. (First) Gentle Giant 7. The power & the glory PINK FLOYD (6): 1. Dark side... 2. Animals 3. Wish you... 4. Meddle 5. Atom... 6. The wall YES (5): 1. Close... 2. Relayer 3. Tales... 4. Fragile 5. Yes album KING CRIMSON (5): 1. In the court... 2. Red 3. Discipline 4. Lark's... 5. Starless... GENESIS (5): 1. Selling... 2. Foxtrot 3. The lamb... 4. Nursery cryme 5. A trick... VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR (3): 1. Pawn hearts 2. Still life 3. Godbluff RUSH (3): 1. Moving pictures 2. Permanent waves 3. 2112 JETHRO TULL (3): 1. Thick... 2. Aqualung 3. Passion play SUPERTRAMP (3): 1. Crime... 2. Even... 3. Breakfast...
Pete there are not many that I subscribe to on RUclips or Facebook. But the main reason I dig your channel is that you tell the truth. That and also we seem to have the same taste in music. And I would like to thank you for turning me on to a lot of bands and albums that maybe I wouldn't have heard before. You sure helped me grow my music collection. Thanks once again. And screw the haters.
Wow! I can't believe that guy said all of that. You are my lifeline to music that I most likely wouldn't know anything about if it wasn't for you. I could always tell that this stuff comes from your heart. I love your channel. Keep up the good work!
Gentle Giant Rocks. Your channel rocks... never stale, enjoy your personality and listening to you talk. Our tastes don't always exactly align, but I can always tell your rankings are sincere... and that you fkn love music in general!
I must confess ! I have not been listening to Gentle Giant. Prog or what i usually call it "symphonic rock" has always been Genesis, Yes, Marillion , Mike Oldfield and more. Now i gotta have some of Gentle Giants albums. I think i start with "Octopus" and "Power and the Glory". They seems to be in my taste after listening to them on youtube. Thanks for the introduction to the band Pete !!
Bcs of u i have been introduced to so many prog and metal bands that i never heard of that i am starting to listen to some of them. Thank you for the introductions.
Gentle Giant albums are magical...first listen doesn't do it but the more you listen and get used to their complexities, the more you love them. Magic takes over and you can't stop playing them. Octopus for me too but only just most of the others in my top 50 albums of all time. regarding that negative comment, old farts like me love listening and watching you....that music is precious, more than diamonds. I can't stop watching you, don't agree with your choices often but , hey taste is taste.... and your presentation is spot on.
Love the rant. Even tho we have very different tastes in music, I still like hearing your opinions on these ranking the albums series. Very informative.. I need to get the GG remasters some day. Loved them back in the 70's.
Hello Pete. First of all, I wanted to thank you for all of these great "Ranking the Studio Albums". You have certainly given me some great pointers as to where to find more great music. I have been a huge Prog-Rock fan (Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, King Crimson). But I have not been able to get into Gentle Giant. I watched your ranking video last night - so I decided to listen to FREE HAND today while on a long walk at lunch. And it was very good - and I enjoyed it more than I realized. Thanks! I can't wait to get into their other albums. And then I will attempt to take on the work of Budgie.
What a great double dose of killer bands today. Budgie and Gentle Giant, 2 very criminally underrated bands with tons of incredible music! Two of my all-time faves, great vids 👍
Couldn’t agree more but GG took me a while to get into.Back in the 70s I bought Octopus thinking it might sound like Uriah Heep because of the Roger Dean cover.Ten years later I still had a mint Octopus copy cause I never played it.Just missing err The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day from collection.Brilliant band.Annoys the crap out of the missus which is a good thing.Always loved Budgie.
@@SomeSong2 Yep. Vastly different, yet connected by a sense of whimsy, not taking themselves too seriously, the obvious progressive side of the music...and incredible musicianship of course!
Keep doing your thing Pete and don't let that loser bring you down, I have looked into , bought and revisited my cd collection because of you . Keep rocking man
Back in the 70’s one of the local FM stations would play “The Album of The Day” most every night at 11:00 PM. Since I had to go to bed, I would pop in a blank cassette into Ye Ole Auto-Reverse AKAI, and record the album, no matter who it was [typically a relatively little to unknown artist], to sample on the way to the Junior College the following morning. One night the album advertised was Gentle Giant’s “Octopus”, whom I had never heard. The next day I popped the tape into my ‘under-dash’ Craig cassette deck (with power-booster) and let ‘er rip. The first track, “The Advent of Panurge” wasn’t near finished before I knew I had to find everything I could by this band! Every time I could manage to get my hands on the $4.99 or $5.99 that it cost back then for a new LP it was off to the record store I’d go. I didn’t know anything about “In A Glass House” for a year or two afterward, and even then, had to order it via a JEM Import catalog and wait nearly 2 months for it to arrive at a favorite record store by snail mail. I’ve been a diehard GG fan ever since, and recently purchased the “Unburied Treasure” box as well. I’ve been collecting GG for decades, but after so many remasters, boots and import editions, I sadly feel my days of buying GG are over. I will keep my eyes and ears open for anything that may come down the pike, but I can’t imagine there being anything else. It is sad, as I agree with some of the reviewers that “Civilian” was (finally) a big step in the right direction for them. I truly believe that had they given it one more shot, it very well could have been the one to push them into the limelight; but I guess we’ll never know. They may have broken up 40 years ago, but for this GG lover, they shall remain in heavy rotation in my home and my vehicle until my last breath. By the way… as a short sidebar: The tape that recorded “Octopus” was a 90 min blank, so it continued to record the radio program far beyond the GG album alone. The very next track following ‘Octopus’ was “The Greatest Story Ever Told” by the often quirky and fun rock from ‘City Boy’. Needless to say, that track caught my ear as well, so I grabbed the LP soon thereafter. Although their only notable singles were “The Hap-Ki-Do Kid”, “She’s Got Style” and “5.7.0.5”, the majority of their catalog, especially the first 4-5 albums, were overlooked by radio and, for the most part, completely unknown to the masses. Perhaps had Mercury Records put a little more of their marketing budget behind them, they most certainly could have become much bigger. I never had the opportunity to see them live, so I had no idea if their live performances lived up to their studio tracks, but they truly should have had a better chance. If you’re not familiar with City Boy, I urge you to check them out. Like many other bands, if the track you’re listening to isn’t grabbing you … no problem. Let it play through as the tracks tend to change mid-stream, and rarely are two tracks the same. Very witty, quirky, rocking and fun music. Think early 10cc with a bit more power!! …but I digress.
Do you know Zinc by Eddie Jobson? Gary Green is featured on some tracks. Please check Three Friends on RUclips. There are some ex-Giant members, Gary and Malcolm Mortimore, and ther is at least mone file featuring Kerry Minnear.
Ever since seeing my older brother carrying the Power and the Glory under his arm back in the early 70’s (Which I played the next day) I became a huge lifetime fan. Your review is without question the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks for giving The Boys in the Band the royal treatment that they so well deserve.
Haven't heard the last few but I love what I have heard, especially the first 4. Here's my ranking: 7. Free Hand 6. Power and the Glory 5. In a Glass House 4. Three Friends 3. Gentle Giant 2. Octopus 1. Acquiring the Taste So hard to choose between those top 2 especially!
Wow .... the albums were all ranked and there was such a plenty if time to go in the footage then I understood why. Perfect your message, Pete. Lots of “influencers” in the net these days doing nothing but spreading garbage in the cyberspace. Congrats. I couldn’t agree more. And before I go, GG fan since 1976 here, when I got stuck after listening “Octopus” imported album from a college friend in S Paulo. Still a full time GG listener.
Thanks for the information to dive more deeply into Gentle Giant. I ran across their Sight and Sound concert on RUclips and feel like they are the pinnacle even if so long ago. I watched this video early on to get an idea and have listened to very little else since. I am really liking The Power and the Glory and Octopus. Gentle Giant is actually right up there. Acquiring the Taste has been a little harder to love, but I am continuing to listen to it and "getting" it. I feel like I could spend months straight on their one decade of music!
I appreciate what you do greatly, Peter. You always provide intelligent, informed reviews. You're one of the best sources of information on a plethora of bands and I've benefitted from your sound musical judgment. Congrats to you and the quality of your channel!
Hi Pete, love your RUclips channel. I'm 62 and living in Australia now but back in 1973 I was living in the UK and I discovered Gentle Giant. I had the privilege of seeing them play live on their 1976 Tour, the songs from this tour were released on Playing The Fool in early 1977. Whilst I have my own favourite GG album, The Power & the Glory, I totally understand and appreciate that this is a very subjective thing and I really enjoy your album ranking shows. I also want to say how cool it is that you included a ranking of Budgie albums. What a magnificent band. I also had the privilege of seeing them play live a number of times in the mid 70's when they were in their pomp. My absolute favourite band is the Groundhogs and Tony McPhee is not only a guitar hero of mine but I've also had the privilege of jamming with him in a pub in Wellington, Shropshire in England. He is an absolute legend and he is massively underated as a guitarist and composer in my humble opinion. In particular, Tony McPhee's 1970's albums with the Groundhogs such as Split, Thank Christ For The Bomb, Hogwash, Who Will Save The World, Solid, and Black Diamond deserve to be reviewed and ranked by you. Tony's innovative and groundbreaking use of the first guitar synth on the albums Solid, Crosscut Saw & Black Diamond is just brilliant. And not forgetting Tony McPhee's amazing 1973 solo album called The Two Sides Of Tony (TS) McPhee where side one explores Tony's Blues roots and side two is an amazing anti fox hunting synthesizer suite. And then there's his work on the album Blues Obituary from 1969. Definitely worth a listen. All the best to you. Regards, John
I’m completely new to Gentle Giant. I purchased a record collection of an EMI technician in the U.K., and gave Octopus a try. I was absolutely blown away by the entire production. It was incredible. After hearing Octopus, and wanting to hear more, I did a little RUclips search and discovered your channel. I absolutely share your love for gentle giant. I grew up in the grunge era, but after going through this collection I picked up, I’m now a huge prog fan. Love King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, Gryphon and more. Love you content. Love your passion! Keep up the good work :) Love from the U.K.!
Love what you do, Pete, and I appreciate your rant about the troll. What I love most about your channel is that you pull out some obscure (to me) bands that I have started listening to and spending money on (to support those bands). Keep it up!! I'm a long-time fan of GG, and started with Power and the Glory (so that one holds a special place), but I agree fully with your ranking. Rock on!
I discovered GG in the 70s, starting with Three Friends,which is still my favorite. Also love Glass House and Aquiring the Taste. Peel the Paint, Experience, The House-The Street-The Room all have these awesome guitar breaks. Saw them somewhere in Long Island in the 70s and loved the show!
My main man Pete here, you rock dude. Love the show will always support and enjoy the music I've listened to and bought because of seeing you now. I became a fan here from a friends suggestion to watch the album ranking episode of BOC. I ended up buying all the BOC albums, several Kansas albums, 3 Budgie albums, now 4 Gentle Giant albums, a few Deep Purple ones .. the list goes on but you definitely gave me ideas on what to try out and it was great. My favorite band of all time is Rush, I didnt need to buy those recently because I've had the majority of them by the time I was 15. Thank you sir, bless you guys in the USA be safe
Always saw that original Giant cover ..with no idea to venture forward. Midlife Utube came in with its current world of an unattainable selection of rock history .. at your ears . What an unimaginable forum ., along with Apple music . That cover , just like the Court of the Crimson King and Argus got me in. Then hooked by the 'Giant' song . This time it's the medium that allows the messengers to exist. Thank god for progressive technology... right? Now we all can be rockstars
Love your reviews, your honesty and commitment to supporting many artists in the prog and rock genre. It's people like you that keep the flags flying and why many more get to hear about artists that would, in many cases, go unknown or unheard in an era of myopic media more concerned with satisfying record moguls with pop pap than the great sounds outside that bubble.
Gentle Giant was pure genius! Love your channel and thanks to you I now have a least 50 prog rock bands I've never heard of and will spend the rest of the winter giving them all a listen. I'll likely end up with several more favorites! Thanks again!
I’m relatively new to GG, as you were the one to introduce me to them! Acquiring the Taste is my favorite….it’s like the most concentrated Gentle Giant and has some amazing melodies, bass lines and grooves…not to mention great vocal harmonies like the opening track….
Any mention of gentle Giant is a great thing. Mentioning all their albums with such positive and accurate statements, is just wonderful. Check em out folks, your brain will thank you. Thanks Pardo
GG is one of my all time favorite bands, so ranking the albums is extremely hard for me, and it feels like it could literally change tomorrow, but here goes. 11. Giant for a Day 10. Civilian 9. The Missing Piece 8. Interview 7. Three Friends 6. Octopus 5. In a Glass House 4. Gentle Giant 3. Free Hand 2. The Power And the Glory 1. Acquiring the Taste Man it's painful seeing how low some of these are but those first 7 are just so damn good. There's basically hardly any separation between them. It's funny you mentioned the part about how the first albums you heard were too much for you at first but then became your favorites, since that's exactly what happened to me. Acquiring the Taste was the first one I heard and man, it was definitely a difficult entry point like you said. Then I heard TPATG which blew me away and made a fan, and now years later Acquiring is my favorite haha. Each of my top 5 were my favorite at some point in time... what a discography!
Hi Pete, Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I have five gg lps and my favourite is acquiring the taste followed by the self titled album. I need to pick up a few more espicially ones that you've rated highly that i dont have. The amount of videos you're posting is exceptional Pete and very rewarding for us music fans, ie finding new music and discussing the great bands we love. Keep it coming Andy H
I watch your videos quite a bit and without disagreement as it is your choice and opinion and I respect both. Most of all I watch your videos to learn something, particularly about bands I don't know much about and may want to know what to buy/explore first or next or even compare to my own opinion of those that I do know. As for that guy who takes umbrage with your posts, F him. I appreciate what you give to us without any pretense. You often (more than often) tell us how it's your opinion and nothing more. How can someone surmise you are making money on this? That is so laughable! Your whole effort takes time! I often think about how you seclude yourself from family, pets, etc. in order for us to deliver this kind of content. Kudos Pete for your passion for music and your willingness to deliver your fans some insight on yourself and the music you love. Keep on keepin' on.
Wow, Pete, I was wondering if you were ever going to make an official album ranking for GG. Recently saw the top 10 songs list (and commented), then saw the GG history video. I love *ALL* 11 studio albums, plus the Playing The Fool live disc. The top 3, and *especially* the top 2, are just about interchangeable. Here we go: 11. Giant For A Day 10. Civilian 9. The Missing Piece 8. Three Friends 7. The Power and The Glory 6. Gentle Giant s/t debut 5. Free Hand 4. In'terview (very underrated) 3. Octopus 2. Acquiring The Taste 1. In A Glass House One other aspect of GG that puts them above their contemporaries (to me) is the fact that I truly love their *entire* discography; I can't say this to the full extent about other groups: Yes, Tull, Genesis...I love those groups to death, but they each have a couple (or more) discs that I can easily do without. I can't live without *any* of GG's albums (despite Giant For A Day clearly being the weakest of the bunch.) KC is the only other direct contemporary that may come close, but even they fall a tad short to me, simply because GG, whether the music was dense and complex, or stripped down and straightforward, offered some kind of color, flavor/taste/deliciousness in all of it.
...Pete , you make Rock and Roll Fun and accessible...Holy Christ the Topics , the Guests , the Squares , Martin and Butch shows ....I for one appreciate the History going deep ....Hell , Music is part of my DNA , my Soul ....My Life ....anyrate , Rock On Brother with all you do !
Free Hand was my introduction to Gentle Giant, and it is the perfect album for introducing others to the wonder that is this band's discography. As of today, this is how I rank their albums with the top 5 the cream of the crop. 1. In A Glass House 2. Octopus 3. Free Hand 4. Three Friends 5. The Power And The Glory 6. Acquiring The Taste 7. Gentle Giant 8. Interview (I consider this album the band's most dense and difficult to get a handle on.) 9. The Missing Piece 10. Civilian 11. Giant For A Day
When I was first discovering a lot of prog stuff about 10 years ago I found Giant for a Day on LP and bought it because I always saw the name pop up online when I was researching. Buying that album first and listening to it honestly turned me off from them up until within the last year where I was working on my LP collection again. I found Acquiring the Taste and Octopus this time and ever since I first put them on the table I have been absolutely obsessed with them. I've been on a Giant kick for about a year now with them taking up probably 80% of my music listening time, probably the quickest a band has ever sky rocketed up into one of my all time favourite groups. Always give music another chance! My ranking as of today: Giant for a Day! Civilian Interview The Missing Piece Gentle Giant Acquiring the Taste In a Glass House The Power and the Glory Octopus Free Hand Three Friends
Absolutely brilliant Pete...I'm an old GG fan from the UK who saw them in 70's. The love for this band never dies. I agree with your list..it definitely can change depending on the mood. I only found you on You Tube recently but totally dig what you are doing. I'm going through my old vinyl collection checking on LP's I had forgotten about. You are so right in your rant....Budgie are brilliant! Keep it going dude. Alan Brown
You are the reason I got into Gentle Giant, and I will be forever grateful! Your interview with Derek Shulman got me to take a risk and get that boxset of their discography and I am so glad I did it, in fact I wish more bands would make boxsets in that vein of being the entire discography (Live and Studio). It is an acquired taste for sure. I have not listened to them enough to rank them all, but my favorites are: 1. Octopus 2. The Power and the Glory 3. The Missing Piece 4. Interview 5. In a Glass House
1, Power and the Glory 2, Octopus 3, In A Glass House 4, Free Hand 5, The Missing Piece 6, Interview 7, Three Friends All within 10% for me, I Love them All !!! But my favorite is "Playing The Fool" yes it is Live !! 👍🎶
Yeah Pete! GREAT synopsis of Gentle Giant...who I saw in 1975 in Seattle. Thank you for keeping this music alive. No words for GIANT... HUGELY influential and life changing. For me, I was introduced through 3 Friends and Acquiring the Taste... In a Glass House... OMG! LOVED the stories... they wrapped around in their beautiful music which magnified their stories. This was SOUL FOOD... which I so desperately needed at the time... and every time, all the time... in these times... cheers mate
The Power and the Glory is the album that got me into Gentle Giant. Love that album.
Same for me. :-)
Yep, me as well. Love that album tons.
Octopus got me into GG, but Power and the Glory (steven wilson mix ;) ) is what got me hooked
Three Friends And Octopus are timeless Classics, Every Home Should Own Them
Octopus, the album I would take if I was cast away in an island and was allowed only one record.
In a Glass House....
@@joseandrade632 yesss agree
Love the rant Pete...spot on...I love and appreciate all you do..✌️✌
When you first hear GG its like what is this ? Then after listening for awhile it hits you out of the blue like a friken fright train ,these guys are AMAZING ! I love GG , great great band and I think so badly underrated has one of the great progressive bands so many overlook !
From watching this channel I got into Gentle giant. I listened to 'three friends' I thought that was very good, then I bought 'Octopus' I did think - what is this, but I've persevered and I dig it! I'll pick up another album very soon....
Fr my first time listening to octopus and Power was I didn't hate them but didn't have a desire to relisten but after I came back to them they became quickly some of my top favorites
No Other Band Could Touch The Giant!
"What is this?" was indeed my first reaction when I came to GG, having heard quite a bunch of Prog Rock until then. Very similar to my first hearing of King Crimson's Lizard 😄. Anyway, after a while I felt more precisely how GG really sounded to me: like sort of an academic version of Jethro Tull.
You have to aquire the taste to listen to aquiring the taste
After the 2nd listening catchs you forever!
My personal favorite. A little more approachable & not as atonal/polyrhythmic/difficult as some of the others (I disagree with Pete here). There is something so artistic, magical, even mystical about this one. Ten stars. ✨
I'd disagree here too, to be honest. Aquiring the Taste I find extremely melodic and accessible for this type of music a fine introduction (this or Octopus), it's far from as 'weird' an album as Interview or In a Glass House those will both take way longer for prog newbies to get into, I think. With The Missing Piece, Civilian and Giant for a Day, we're entering a (dare I say) 'poppier' side of Gentle Giant there.
@@TheTVisions
Maybe....The main "problem" with Aquiring the taste for me is the lack of bombastic power, a main trademark in GG most acclaimed albums...But still a complex and full of diferent textures album...Even the band explain the intention to stay away from every single glimpse of poppery taking all the risk
It´s sort of "nightmarish" wonderful...Specially Pantagruel...? just love the feel of it all (and Three Friends of course)
You’re doing a great job Pete. Thanks!!
My top 3:
1) The Power and the Glory
2) Acquiring the Taste
3) Octopus
Three friends for me,not one filler track.
Just discovered your channel pete and as a big prog rock fan i think it's brilliant.
Pete you are a top shelf, high quality man amongst men . I for one love that you do this ! It's often the highlight of my day and you are well appreciated by me and the rest of us here I'm sure . Sea of Tranquility is right in my top 3 RUclips channel 👍 👍 🙂
Octopus is best, I agree, would like to see your list of camel, they are really good and underrated
octopus
in a glass house
3 friends
free hand
civilian.
@Drew P. Weiner I totally agree !
Yes, please do a camel ranking - Mirage is my favourite!
It’s good but not their best love love love camel. But they have so many albums
Moonmadness is their best imho
"Acquiring the Taste" was actually the first GG album I was exposed to and loved it straight off. A friend of mine sent me a copy because I told him I had read the book.
Great list Pete. I would love to see a Van Der Graaf Generator ranking some time as well when you have time! Both bands took me a long time to get into but they both "clicked" with me around the same time.
Simply a masterpiece, I grew up listening to this band
This channel is really helping me find new music I’ve never heard before it’s really great
“Sometimes you’re in the mood to listen to something that doesn’t sound like anything else.” Pretty much hit the nail on the head with that statement. Certain bands get kudos from me for how unique they are, and Gentle Giant is a wonderful example.
Started listening to them a week ago because of you...really loving octopus!
I absolutely agree to your speech about a youtuber who trash you. You give good critics even if i don't agree all the time. Keep going man...
Really late to the party on this video. Thanks for not just the ranking, but explaining the albums. I should be the biggest Gentle Giant fan due to my love of prog and jazz, but I never really knew where to start. I'm doing the deep dive on Gentle Giant tonight. And those last 15 minutes? Awesome!
Ok, before I watch, here is my list:
1. Octopus - the first I ever listed to. Hooked me.
2. In a Glass House
3. Three Friends
4. Power and the Glory
5. Free Hand
6. Civilian
7. Interview
8. Acquiring the Taste
9. Gentle Giant - Alucard is fantastic
10. The Missing Piece - Half of a great album
11. Giant for a Day
I got into Gentle Giant because of a weekly radio show that was rebroadcast on a webplayer... cant remember the name now... But it was a couple of hours of Gentle Giant retrospective. I listened to it a few times and then had to start looking up all of their stuff. Sure glad I tuned in that week! thanks for the countdown.
Nice!
Octopus was also the first I listened to. I was fascinated from the first note on but it actually took some time until it became my absolute favourite.
May I ask why you ranked "Acquiring the taste" so low? I see it as the "younger brother" of "Octopus", the first "octo opus". I would say they continued the way they started at "Acquiring the Taste" on "Octopus" (with "Three Friends" as an interlude). I would say the style on the two albums is quite similar even there are differences in composition and genre influences.
Gentle Giant is the greatest Prog band, with the clearest sense of vision and motivic development lyrically, thematically and instrumentally with Power & Glory being their best example of this. It seems people these days assume prog = heavy and fast scales and individual virtuosity a la Dream Theatre. GG has the scope, virtuosity and musical purpose AND the sum is exponentially greater than the parts.
This^
In a lot of respects, I think of good "prog" as being minimalism (ironically?). The Power and the Glory will likely always be my favorite GG album, as well. Acquiring the Taste, Octopus, Free Hand, and In a Glass House are all definitely somewhere next on my list. However, Interview (a very underrated GG record, imo) definitely has at least two or three of my all-time favorite GG tracks (I Lost My Head being my all-time favorite).
Well, Dream Theater was the best prog-metal band, now surpassed by Symphony X, but Gentle Giant is perhaps prog's pinnacle. I miss them for forty years!
@@joseandrade632 Well, I've been told that Symphony X are a prime example of when a band's members play too much in parallel, in regards to where each performer's own repetitions occur. Used to do a community radio program ('00-'03), where me and a couple others played primarily prog... Our main host was always wearing Symphony X shirts; so, I'm sure I've heard them before. But I still haven't really sat down to do any full-on investigation of any of their work. So, who knows... 🤷♂️
All I know is that "real prog" (in my mind) is when something simple has been made complicated by applying various interference patterns, and that the "really good prog" is when there are multiple interference patterns that somehow can coexist without their integrities being compromised.
@@joseandrade632 Oh I agree. I don't want to bash DT, I saw them in Mumbai.The individual virtuosity approach as a starting point doesn't seem as outright boundary-pushing as say, when I saw Yes & King C
true fans know you have the best channel going thanks pete i've found so many bands because of your channel hope you have some nice weather it great here in wisconsin
Keep up the good work Pete. Ignore the trolls.
I've been a long-time prog fan, but only got into Gentle Giant within the past couple years. Currently getting them on vinyl. Love 'Octopus' and 'Free Hand'. Must get the rest. (Check those prices on the Roger Dean cover for 'Octopus' on vinyl. Yikes.)
Using this video to target my next Gentle Giant purchases. Thanks.
Don't miss In a Glass House and Three Friends. And The Power and the Glory! And Interview! and... You won't be disappointed. Greetings from a die hard Portuguese fan who loves them since 72 (I was fourteen). Also don't miss Happy the Man, the sole band who dared explore the same regions.
+1 on that. Octopus is the ONLY GG LP I do NOT have. Embarrassingly enough, "Giant for a Day" was the first LP I got and my intro to them last year when I was introduced to them (via an article about the Steven Wilson remasters). Was browsing online for "Octopus" while his video was running and I couldn't find ANYTHING less than 50.00.
God Bless you 🙏. Keep up the good work so many people just NEED to hear about this stuff.
I’m loving your reviews. Of course, we’re gonna all disagree on the placement of “some LPS” but who in the hell cares? For the most part you are usually spot on dude. You pull shit out of the woodwork (Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Camel, etc etc) that no one else does. Keep on Rockin’ On!
I haven't heard of this band. I'm going to listen to them. Thank you for your ranking Gentle Giant.🎤🎸🎵🥁
The progger’s prog band. Great video Mr. Pardo. It is a wise man that conditionally time stamps his opinions. 👍
Amazing Pete, fast forward to July 2021, the number three is number one! Not knocking, goes to show tastes and moods change and that’s totally fine!
i got see them several times in the 70's whenever they played the tower theater in upper darby.
I only saw the last show in 1980 @ Tower, and they were still quite amazing!
@@jerrylev59 i worked there 1976-80 so saw them when they toured during that time which i recall was a few. have to admit was not am not a fan. but i am a fan of pete's passion for music!
The interesting thing about GG is that they don't have any recorded material that was not recorded in the 70's. In that sense they are not only a one decade band but a pure 70's one. It is true that Civilian was released in 1980 so you could say they went into the 80's just a tiny bit. I really wish they would have recorded at least one or two more albums but I think they just got burned out and their heart wasn't in it anymore.
They say they were killed by punk. They tried to change once the prog bands lost the favour of the public. I wish they did not move an inch and kept on doing what gave them pleasure. I mourn for them ever since, I just can't let go.
So for me, i always thought that a group make no more than 5 or even 6 best albums... but GG got 7!!!:
GENTLE GIANT (7):
1. Octopus
2. In the glass house
3. Three friends
4. Acquiring the taste
5. Free hand
6. (First) Gentle Giant
7. The power & the glory
PINK FLOYD (6):
1. Dark side...
2. Animals
3. Wish you...
4. Meddle
5. Atom...
6. The wall
YES (5):
1. Close...
2. Relayer
3. Tales...
4. Fragile
5. Yes album
KING CRIMSON (5):
1. In the court...
2. Red
3. Discipline
4. Lark's...
5. Starless...
GENESIS (5):
1. Selling...
2. Foxtrot
3. The lamb...
4. Nursery cryme
5. A trick...
VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR (3):
1. Pawn hearts
2. Still life
3. Godbluff
RUSH (3):
1. Moving pictures
2. Permanent waves
3. 2112
JETHRO TULL (3):
1. Thick...
2. Aqualung
3. Passion play
SUPERTRAMP (3):
1. Crime...
2. Even...
3. Breakfast...
Thank you for what you do Pete, 👍👍👍👍👍👍!!
Hey Pete!! Watched This Again!!! So Good!!!! Thanks!!!
Thank you so much Pete for helping me decide which Gentle Giant CD to buy next!
Pete there are not many that I subscribe to on RUclips or Facebook. But the main reason I dig your channel is that you tell the truth. That and also we seem to have the same taste in music. And I would like to thank you for turning me on to a lot of bands and albums that maybe I wouldn't have heard before. You sure helped me grow my music collection. Thanks once again. And screw the haters.
Wow! I can't believe that guy said all of that. You are my lifeline to music that I most likely wouldn't know anything about if it wasn't for you. I could always tell that this stuff comes from your heart. I love your channel. Keep up the good work!
Thank God for Prado.I am re-discovering my love for rock all over again.Please keep it up Pete
Gentle Giant Rocks. Your channel rocks... never stale, enjoy your personality and listening to you talk. Our tastes don't always exactly align, but I can always tell your rankings are sincere... and that you fkn love music in general!
Would love a run down of pendragon.
I must confess ! I have not been listening to Gentle Giant. Prog or what i usually call it "symphonic rock" has always been Genesis, Yes, Marillion , Mike Oldfield and more. Now i gotta have some of Gentle Giants albums. I think i start with "Octopus" and "Power and the Glory". They seems to be in my taste after listening to them on youtube. Thanks for the introduction to the band Pete !!
I saw Gentle Giant in the late 70's at the Roxy in Hollywood. Tightest band that I ever saw.
Bcs of u i have been introduced to so many prog and metal bands that i never heard of that i am starting to listen to some of them. Thank you for the introductions.
Gentle Giant albums are magical...first listen doesn't do it but the more you listen and get used to their complexities, the more you love them. Magic takes over and you can't stop playing them. Octopus for me too but only just most of the others in my top 50 albums of all time. regarding that negative comment, old farts like me love listening and watching you....that music is precious, more than diamonds. I can't stop watching you, don't agree with your choices often but , hey taste is taste.... and your presentation is spot on.
Love the rant. Even tho we have very different tastes in music, I still like hearing your opinions on these ranking the albums series. Very informative.. I need to get the GG remasters some day. Loved them back in the 70's.
Hello Pete. First of all, I wanted to thank you for all of these great "Ranking the Studio Albums". You have certainly given me some great pointers as to where to find more great music. I have been a huge Prog-Rock fan (Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, King Crimson). But I have not been able to get into Gentle Giant. I watched your ranking video last night - so I decided to listen to FREE HAND today while on a long walk at lunch. And it was very good - and I enjoyed it more than I realized. Thanks! I can't wait to get into their other albums. And then I will attempt to take on the work of Budgie.
What a great double dose of killer bands today. Budgie and Gentle Giant, 2 very criminally underrated bands with tons of incredible music! Two of my all-time faves, great vids 👍
Both amazingly different and unique as well as kickass.
Couldn’t agree more but GG took me a while to get into.Back in the 70s I bought Octopus thinking it might sound like Uriah Heep because of the Roger Dean cover.Ten years later I still had a mint Octopus copy cause I never played it.Just missing err The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day from collection.Brilliant band.Annoys the crap out of the missus which is a good thing.Always loved Budgie.
@@SomeSong2 Yep. Vastly different, yet connected by a sense of whimsy, not taking themselves too seriously, the obvious progressive side of the music...and incredible musicianship of course!
Keep doing your thing Pete and don't let that loser bring you down, I have looked into , bought and revisited my cd collection because of you . Keep rocking man
They were great. One of the most amazing rock bands ever.
Back in the 70’s one of the local FM stations would play “The Album of The Day” most every night at 11:00 PM. Since I had to go to bed, I would pop in a blank cassette into Ye Ole Auto-Reverse AKAI, and record the album, no matter who it was [typically a relatively little to unknown artist], to sample on the way to the Junior College the following morning. One night the album advertised was Gentle Giant’s “Octopus”, whom I had never heard. The next day I popped the tape into my ‘under-dash’ Craig cassette deck (with power-booster) and let ‘er rip. The first track, “The Advent of Panurge” wasn’t near finished before I knew I had to find everything I could by this band! Every time I could manage to get my hands on the $4.99 or $5.99 that it cost back then for a new LP it was off to the record store I’d go. I didn’t know anything about “In A Glass House” for a year or two afterward, and even then, had to order it via a JEM Import catalog and wait nearly 2 months for it to arrive at a favorite record store by snail mail. I’ve been a diehard GG fan ever since, and recently purchased the “Unburied Treasure” box as well. I’ve been collecting GG for decades, but after so many remasters, boots and import editions, I sadly feel my days of buying GG are over. I will keep my eyes and ears open for anything that may come down the pike, but I can’t imagine there being anything else. It is sad, as I agree with some of the reviewers that “Civilian” was (finally) a big step in the right direction for them. I truly believe that had they given it one more shot, it very well could have been the one to push them into the limelight; but I guess we’ll never know. They may have broken up 40 years ago, but for this GG lover, they shall remain in heavy rotation in my home and my vehicle until my last breath.
By the way… as a short sidebar: The tape that recorded “Octopus” was a 90 min blank, so it continued to record the radio program far beyond the GG album alone. The very next track following ‘Octopus’ was “The Greatest Story Ever Told” by the often quirky and fun rock from ‘City Boy’. Needless to say, that track caught my ear as well, so I grabbed the LP soon thereafter. Although their only notable singles were “The Hap-Ki-Do Kid”, “She’s Got Style” and “5.7.0.5”, the majority of their catalog, especially the first 4-5 albums, were overlooked by radio and, for the most part, completely unknown to the masses. Perhaps had Mercury Records put a little more of their marketing budget behind them, they most certainly could have become much bigger. I never had the opportunity to see them live, so I had no idea if their live performances lived up to their studio tracks, but they truly should have had a better chance. If you’re not familiar with City Boy, I urge you to check them out. Like many other bands, if the track you’re listening to isn’t grabbing you … no problem. Let it play through as the tracks tend to change mid-stream, and rarely are two tracks the same. Very witty, quirky, rocking and fun music. Think early 10cc with a bit more power!! …but I digress.
Do you know Zinc by Eddie Jobson? Gary Green is featured on some tracks. Please check Three Friends on RUclips. There are some ex-Giant members, Gary and Malcolm Mortimore, and ther is at least mone file featuring Kerry Minnear.
To your last words in the video: Thank you, I appreciate your videos much! Got many good tips for albums I own now. BR, from Austria, Joe
Pete, I appreciate your rant. I am with you bro! I love the Giant too.
Hi Pete, love your channel, we don't always agree, and that's the fun of it, but you were spot on this time. Keep the lists coming.
Ever since seeing my older brother carrying the Power and the Glory under his arm back in the early 70’s (Which I played the next day)
I became a huge lifetime fan. Your review is without question the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks for giving The Boys in the Band the royal
treatment that they so well deserve.
Great rant! So glad I discovered your channel, keep it up man!!!
Haven't heard the last few but I love what I have heard, especially the first 4. Here's my ranking:
7. Free Hand
6. Power and the Glory
5. In a Glass House
4. Three Friends
3. Gentle Giant
2. Octopus
1. Acquiring the Taste
So hard to choose between those top 2 especially!
Excelent! You nailed it! What a band!
Wow .... the albums were all ranked and there was such a plenty if time to go in the footage then I understood why. Perfect your message, Pete. Lots of “influencers” in the net these days doing nothing but spreading garbage in the cyberspace. Congrats. I couldn’t agree more. And before I go, GG fan since 1976 here, when I got stuck after listening “Octopus” imported album from a college friend in S Paulo. Still a full time GG listener.
Thanks for the information to dive more deeply into Gentle Giant. I ran across their Sight and Sound concert on RUclips and feel like they are the pinnacle even if so long ago. I watched this video early on to get an idea and have listened to very little else since. I am really liking The Power and the Glory and Octopus. Gentle Giant is actually right up there. Acquiring the Taste has been a little harder to love, but I am continuing to listen to it and "getting" it. I feel like I could spend months straight on their one decade of music!
Thank you for the Rankin'. My Fave is Free Hand, but I love/like all of them. Three Friends was my first GG Contact. Awesome 70s Prog Rock 👌
I appreciate what you do greatly, Peter. You always provide intelligent, informed reviews. You're one of the best sources of information on a plethora of bands and I've benefitted from your sound musical judgment. Congrats to you and the quality of your channel!
Thank you for doing what you do! Please don't ever stop!
Man, your choices are very close to my ranking. Thank you for your work, a labor of love indeed. Cheers from Brazil.
Hi Pete, love your RUclips channel. I'm 62 and living in Australia now but back in 1973 I was living in the UK and I discovered Gentle Giant. I had the privilege of seeing them play live on their 1976 Tour, the songs from this tour were released on Playing The Fool in early 1977. Whilst I have my own favourite GG album, The Power & the Glory, I totally understand and appreciate that this is a very subjective thing and I really enjoy your album ranking shows. I also want to say how cool it is that you included a ranking of Budgie albums. What a magnificent band. I also had the privilege of seeing them play live a number of times in the mid 70's when they were in their pomp. My absolute favourite band is the Groundhogs and Tony McPhee is not only a guitar hero of mine but I've also had the privilege of jamming with him in a pub in Wellington, Shropshire in England. He is an absolute legend and he is massively underated as a guitarist and composer in my humble opinion. In particular, Tony McPhee's 1970's albums with the Groundhogs such as Split, Thank Christ For The Bomb, Hogwash, Who Will Save The World, Solid, and Black Diamond deserve to be reviewed and ranked by you. Tony's innovative and groundbreaking use of the first guitar synth on the albums Solid, Crosscut Saw & Black Diamond is just brilliant. And not forgetting Tony McPhee's amazing 1973 solo album called The Two Sides Of Tony (TS) McPhee where side one explores Tony's Blues roots and side two is an amazing anti fox hunting synthesizer suite. And then there's his work on the album Blues Obituary from 1969. Definitely worth a listen. All the best to you.
Regards,
John
I’m completely new to Gentle Giant. I purchased a record collection of an EMI technician in the U.K., and gave Octopus a try. I was absolutely blown away by the entire production. It was incredible. After hearing Octopus, and wanting to hear more, I did a little RUclips search and discovered your channel. I absolutely share your love for gentle giant. I grew up in the grunge era, but after going through this collection I picked up, I’m now a huge prog fan. Love King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, Gryphon and more.
Love you content. Love your passion! Keep up the good work :)
Love from the U.K.!
Love what you do, Pete, and I appreciate your rant about the troll. What I love most about your channel is that you pull out some obscure (to me) bands that I have started listening to and spending money on (to support those bands). Keep it up!!
I'm a long-time fan of GG, and started with Power and the Glory (so that one holds a special place), but I agree fully with your ranking. Rock on!
Love the rant appreciate you pete keep doin' what you do thank you.
I discovered GG in the 70s, starting with Three Friends,which is still my favorite. Also love Glass House and Aquiring the Taste. Peel the Paint, Experience, The House-The Street-The Room all have these awesome guitar breaks. Saw them somewhere in Long Island in the 70s and loved the show!
Pete your channel introduced me. to this great band thank you.....
My main man Pete here, you rock dude. Love the show will always support and enjoy the music I've listened to and bought because of seeing you now. I became a fan here from a friends suggestion to watch the album ranking episode of BOC. I ended up buying all the BOC albums, several Kansas albums, 3 Budgie albums, now 4 Gentle Giant albums, a few Deep Purple ones .. the list goes on but you definitely gave me ideas on what to try out and it was great. My favorite band of all time is Rush, I didnt need to buy those recently because I've had the majority of them by the time I was 15. Thank you sir, bless you guys in the USA be safe
In a glass house was by far the hardest one to getinto for me took me alot of listens before it clicked but now its one of my favorites=)
Well said Pete.. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Fantastic. Thank you so much.
Always saw that original Giant cover ..with no idea to venture forward. Midlife Utube came in with its current world of an unattainable selection of rock history .. at your ears . What an unimaginable forum ., along with Apple music . That cover , just like the Court of the Crimson King and Argus got me in. Then hooked by the 'Giant' song . This time it's the medium that allows the messengers to exist.
Thank god for progressive technology... right? Now we all can be rockstars
Love your reviews, your honesty and commitment to supporting many artists in the prog and rock genre. It's people like you that keep the flags flying and why many more get to hear about artists that would, in many cases, go unknown or unheard in an era of myopic media more concerned with satisfying record moguls with pop pap than the great sounds outside that bubble.
Great video. Loved the ranking
thanks for the Gentle Giante education Pete, I am following ur advice on getting into theior catalog
Gentle Giant was pure genius! Love your channel and thanks to you I now have a least 50 prog rock bands I've never heard of and will spend the rest of the winter giving them all a listen. I'll likely end up with several more favorites! Thanks again!
LOVE YOUR INTELLIGENT COMMENTARY
I’m relatively new to GG, as you were the one to introduce me to them! Acquiring the Taste is my favorite….it’s like the most concentrated Gentle Giant and has some amazing melodies, bass lines and grooves…not to mention great vocal harmonies like the opening track….
Any mention of gentle Giant is a great thing. Mentioning all their albums with such positive and accurate statements, is just wonderful. Check em out folks, your brain will thank you. Thanks Pardo
Pete, I said it before and I'll say it again, you're my go to for new music suggestions, thank you. Keep up the great work. Regards John.
GG is one of my all time favorite bands, so ranking the albums is extremely hard for me, and it feels like it could literally change tomorrow, but here goes.
11. Giant for a Day
10. Civilian
9. The Missing Piece
8. Interview
7. Three Friends
6. Octopus
5. In a Glass House
4. Gentle Giant
3. Free Hand
2. The Power And the Glory
1. Acquiring the Taste
Man it's painful seeing how low some of these are but those first 7 are just so damn good. There's basically hardly any separation between them.
It's funny you mentioned the part about how the first albums you heard were too much for you at first but then became your favorites, since that's exactly what happened to me. Acquiring the Taste was the first one I heard and man, it was definitely a difficult entry point like you said. Then I heard TPATG which blew me away and made a fan, and now years later Acquiring is my favorite haha. Each of my top 5 were my favorite at some point in time... what a discography!
Keep up the work Pete,we all enjoy your effort and shows !
Hi Pete,
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I have five gg lps and my favourite is acquiring the taste followed by the self titled album. I need to pick up a few more espicially ones that you've rated highly that i dont have. The amount of videos you're posting is exceptional Pete and very rewarding for us music fans, ie finding new music and discussing the great bands we love.
Keep it coming
Andy H
I watch your videos quite a bit and without disagreement as it is your choice and opinion and I respect both. Most of all I watch your videos to learn something, particularly about bands I don't know much about and may want to know what to buy/explore first or next or even compare to my own opinion of those that I do know. As for that guy who takes umbrage with your posts, F him. I appreciate what you give to us without any pretense. You often (more than often) tell us how it's your opinion and nothing more. How can someone surmise you are making money on this? That is so laughable! Your whole effort takes time! I often think about how you seclude yourself from family, pets, etc. in order for us to deliver this kind of content. Kudos Pete for your passion for music and your willingness to deliver your fans some insight on yourself and the music you love. Keep on keepin' on.
Wow, Pete, I was wondering if you were ever going to make an official album ranking for GG. Recently saw the top 10 songs list (and commented), then saw the GG history video.
I love *ALL* 11 studio albums, plus the Playing The Fool live disc. The top 3, and *especially* the top 2, are just about interchangeable.
Here we go:
11. Giant For A Day
10. Civilian
9. The Missing Piece
8. Three Friends
7. The Power and The Glory
6. Gentle Giant s/t debut
5. Free Hand
4. In'terview (very underrated)
3. Octopus
2. Acquiring The Taste
1. In A Glass House
One other aspect of GG that puts them above their contemporaries (to me) is the fact that I truly love their *entire* discography; I can't say this to the full extent about other groups: Yes, Tull, Genesis...I love those groups to death, but they each have a couple (or more) discs that I can easily do without. I can't live without *any* of GG's albums (despite Giant For A Day clearly being the weakest of the bunch.)
KC is the only other direct contemporary that may come close, but even they fall a tad short to me, simply because GG, whether the music was dense and complex, or stripped down and straightforward, offered some kind of color, flavor/taste/deliciousness in all of it.
...Pete , you make Rock and Roll Fun and accessible...Holy Christ the Topics , the Guests , the Squares , Martin and Butch shows ....I for one appreciate the History going deep ....Hell , Music is part of my DNA , my Soul ....My Life ....anyrate , Rock On Brother with all you do !
Excellent channel and great place for music lovers and inspiration.Thanks Pete.
Free Hand was my introduction to Gentle Giant, and it is the perfect album for introducing others to the wonder that is this band's discography.
As of today, this is how I rank their albums with the top 5 the cream of the crop.
1. In A Glass House
2. Octopus
3. Free Hand
4. Three Friends
5. The Power And The Glory
6. Acquiring The Taste
7. Gentle Giant
8. Interview (I consider this album the band's most dense and difficult to get a handle on.)
9. The Missing Piece
10. Civilian
11. Giant For A Day
Awesome review Pete. You nailed the order for sure.
It's about fucking time....the greatest prog band EVER..........
When I was first discovering a lot of prog stuff about 10 years ago I found Giant for a Day on LP and bought it because I always saw the name pop up online when I was researching. Buying that album first and listening to it honestly turned me off from them up until within the last year where I was working on my LP collection again. I found Acquiring the Taste and Octopus this time and ever since I first put them on the table I have been absolutely obsessed with them. I've been on a Giant kick for about a year now with them taking up probably 80% of my music listening time, probably the quickest a band has ever sky rocketed up into one of my all time favourite groups.
Always give music another chance!
My ranking as of today:
Giant for a Day!
Civilian
Interview
The Missing Piece
Gentle Giant
Acquiring the Taste
In a Glass House
The Power and the Glory
Octopus
Free Hand
Three Friends
Reviews are great your a true music fan kudos
Absolutely brilliant Pete...I'm an old GG fan from the UK who saw them in 70's. The love for this band never dies. I agree with your list..it definitely can change depending on the mood. I only found you on You Tube recently but totally dig what you are doing. I'm going through my old vinyl collection checking on LP's I had forgotten about. You are so right in your rant....Budgie are brilliant! Keep it going dude. Alan Brown
Chill,Pete! We love you,mate and we luuurrve Gentle Giant
Thanks, will check it out!
Thanks for this run-thru✨I’ve yet to discover this band that I’ve always heard of but never heard🌜
You are the reason I got into Gentle Giant, and I will be forever grateful! Your interview with Derek Shulman got me to take a risk and get that boxset of their discography and I am so glad I did it, in fact I wish more bands would make boxsets in that vein of being the entire discography (Live and Studio). It is an acquired taste for sure.
I have not listened to them enough to rank them all, but my favorites are:
1. Octopus
2. The Power and the Glory
3. The Missing Piece
4. Interview
5. In a Glass House
1, Power and the Glory
2, Octopus
3, In A Glass House
4, Free Hand
5, The Missing Piece
6, Interview
7, Three Friends
All within 10% for me, I Love them All !!!
But my favorite is "Playing The Fool" yes it is Live !! 👍🎶
Agree with your Gentle Giant choices... thanks for all you do..I really appreciate being able to see this kind of content.
Thanks for your authenticity-
Forget that troll, Pete. You do great work. You exposed me to Savatage, of whom I was unaware and I love them now.
Yeah Pete! GREAT synopsis of Gentle Giant...who I saw in 1975 in Seattle. Thank you for keeping this music alive.
No words for GIANT... HUGELY influential and life changing. For me, I was introduced through 3 Friends and Acquiring the Taste...
In a Glass House... OMG! LOVED the stories... they wrapped around in their beautiful music which magnified their stories.
This was SOUL FOOD... which I so desperately needed at the time... and every time, all the time... in these times... cheers mate
I came to this vid because I wanted to learn more about Gentle Giant. I thought your channel would be a good reference tool - and you came through!