Classic album FINAL!!! Pawn Hearts v. Octopus - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Whoops ... I was so engrossed in my pontificating, I forgot to actually vote. Embarrassed

Garn the Octopus.

Andrew B

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” ― Julius Henry Marx

Octopus for me

Prog On!

bollocks. can only vote once....

Octopus. I like that album, even though I like the albums before more. Eclectic, adventurous... Very good.

I like VdGG, but Pawn Hearts is one of my least favorite albums from their classic period.

So: Octopus.

Smurph wrote:

Both awesome. Pawn Hearts wins because it is better than the album before it, while I feel like Acquiring the Taste is the best GG album.

It's my favourite GG album too, closely followed by the debut. From their they went gradually lower in my apreciation.

I guess that in the main both of these acts appeal to pretty much the same audience. Not for them the mellifluous tones of other less experimental bands, rather they look for something that sets one's ears on edge, gives them a good jolt, makes them think. VdGG take that somewhat to the extremes, though there are worse while GG are somewhat easier on the ear.
During the semis I made mention of the fact that if I never heard PH again it would be too soon but dedicated chap wot eye iz I put duty before common sense and gave it yet another listen, yea even unto the very end, though my senses did cry out for it to stop. Then did the same with Octo. Chalk and cheese.
Setting aside the pros and cons of cat strangling (or as this is jolly olde Englande might not Badger Beating be more appropriate ?) for just one moment I'm simply of the opinion that GG do it better than VdGG. Of the two albums I have no doubt that Octopus is better written, better arranged and better produced. I don't think there is lot between the two musicianship wise, though the drumming on PH is pretty drear, which gives O a slight edge there. Lyrically O is somewhat interesting while avoidng the cliche ridden, faux spiritual drivel of PH. Ah the points, they be a piling up. Then, to put the matter beyond doubt for me the wee Gentle folk thankfully refrain from beating the badger or at least they have the decency to do it behind closed doors and out of ear shot.
That's not to say that PH doesn't have it's moments but sadly there are just too few of them and too many Badgers and/or pussy cats battered and forlorn.

Edited by t d wombat - September 27 2015 at 18:40

Andrew B

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” ― Julius Henry Marx

Both awesome. Pawn Hearts wins because it is better than the album before it, while I feel like Acquiring the Taste is the best GG album.

http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/

wtf

Good friends, my readers, who peruse this book,
Be not offended, whilst on it you look:
Denude yourselves of all deprav'd affection,
For it contains no badness nor infection,
'Tis true that it brings forth to you no birth
Of any value, but in point of mirth;
Thinking therefore how sorrow might your mind
Consume, I could no apter subject find;
One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span;
Because to laugh is proper to the man

- François Rabelais.

Octopus, of course.

- From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

i voted for "Pawn Hearts".

Neither album is perfect for me, but Pawn Hearts has more minutes of music that I like, and I like that music better than anything on Octopus, so VDGG for me.

Poll Question: pick the winner of the 2015 PA's classic album tournament
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Pawn Hearts (1971) - Van der Graaf Generator	53	[48.62%]
Octopus (1972) - Gentle Giant	56	[51.38%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted