Monday, March 08, 2004

Album of the Day

Gentle Giant: Octopus. One of the great prog cliches is the side-long (from the LP days, kids) epic. Gentle Giant is possibly the exception that proves the cliche. None of the eight tracks on Octopus (get it?) are massive, with only "River" clocking in at over 5 minutes. What they lack in scope they more than make up for in intricate arrangements and stylistic variety. Their medieval influences come through in "Raconteur Troubadour," while tight vocal and instrumental counterpoint powers "Knots," and "Think of Me With Kindness" shows that sometimes less really is more. Brilliant stuff.

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