Gentle Giant vs Jethro Tull

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: From what I understand it was never GG's intention to "show off." They had the experience and musical knowledge to make intricate and interesting music and used their skills to do that. I used to think the same thing though that they were trying to upstage other bands and be better than everyone else and were like "hey, look at us" but then I spoke to someone who was a very big fan and he didn't think that was the case. I don't really think most musicians are about showing off anyway. I think that tends to be the fans perspective not the bands. I could be wrotg though. Who knows for sure.

You may be right that they didn't do it on purpose... I'm writing about my listening experience and my subjective impressions, but I can't know their intentions. Chances are their songs seemed properly right to them emotionally and musically, and I just can't connect that well (occasionally I can). But then people don't know themselves what goes on subconsciously.

Let's say there's always a certain danger to get carried away by one's own abilities.

I think the band most guilty of that(if anyone is)would be ELP. However, I like GG and ELP so it was never really a problem for me.

As for the criticism(by the other person who responded)of them putting too much in their music well that's kind of subjective. What one person might think is too much someone else might think is not enough and apparently there are other bands more complex than GG(some of the RIO bands for example). I would like some specific examples of what you guys think is too much. There are some moments on Free Hand where I think maybe they go a little overboard but other than that I don't hear it much. Then again different ears hear different things. 

For me what GG accomplished that other bands didn't was their ability to make music that was very melodic yet at the same time very complex. For me that is the goal for prog. Most bands seem to focus on one or the other but GG did what most bands couldn't do and for that alone they should be applauded. That being said I understand the criticisms and even for my own personal taste I prefer Camel and VDGG although GG do deserve the respect they get and outside of hardcore prog circles are indeed pretty under rated.

I guess everyone's perception of melodic is different.  With few exceptions I see Gentle Giant as quite the opposite, while I think Tull is usually pretty melodic

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: ^I've never actually heard it but what is it you hate so much about Broadsword?

It's the only Tull album that has an "outside" producer in Paul Samwell-Smith.

I remember when I first heard it I was looking for something akin to "A", which was their previous album. But they took a backward step (IMHO), it had a very commercial sound to it and to me it's very over-produced.

A number of songs are sickly sweet e.g. Pussywillow, Flying Colours, Slow Marching Band and no track to me stands out.

Watching Me, Watching You is about the only song on the album that I would probably listen to and everything else is commercialized crap. So yes BATB is actually my least favourite Tull album.