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

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.

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

bollocks. can only vote once....

Octopus for me

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

Garn the Octopus.

Horizons wrote: Am i the only one who can't stand 99% of Gentle Giant's vocals? Everyone throws Hammill's name out there, i'm surprised nobody even suggests that GG are an acquired taste as well.  Voted VdGG because Pawn Hearts, for me, occupies a wonderfully unique niche in the classic prog scene.

No you are not all on your lonesome. I certainly used to feel a bit iffy about GG and the vocals were a major part of that. Through the course of this I've given them much more of a listen and have come to appreciate them a lot more. They will never be my favourite group but I do now enjoy the quirkiness and damn good playing while the vocals simply don't irritate me the way Hammill's yowlng does.

Otoh, my VdGG/Peter Hamill collection goes back thirty forty odd years and to be honest is probably still in pristine condition cos it very rarely gets an airing. Now that is not to say that Hammill is rubbish, just that I don't in the main particularly like what I hear. There are good, even great bits here and there but not enough to counteract t'other.


Edited by t d wombat - September 28 2015 at 20:00

This is too close. C'mon baby, you can win this!!

Horizons wrote: Am i the only one who can't stand 99% of Gentle Giant's vocals? Everyone throws Hammill's name out there, i'm surprised nobody even suggests that GG are an acquired taste as well.  Voted VdGG because Pawn Hearts, for me, occupies a wonderfully unique niche in the classic prog scene.

No, you are not the only one. GG vocals annoy the hell out of me. I'm not crazy about VdGG either. I don't like that they have no regular guitarist, and they're often too stark and minimal for me. But Hammil's voice has never bothered me, and I do like the dual saxes, so I'll give them my vote.

I like GG vocals mostly---and on Freehand for example the vocals are sublime--Hammil's vocals are the acquired taste.