Gentle Giant vs the Mars Volta

I like them both. I vote for GG though because they've gone down in history a long time before MV did.

Originally posted by memowakeman Originally posted by Epignosis The Mars Volta are losing because Gentle Giant came before.  Basically that simple.  Pair any major prog band of yesteryear with one from today, and it'd be the same story.  Yawn. I don't really think that would be the main reason, it is all a matter of tastes, voting for a band just because came before, and not because of the music...would be actually ridicolous. I voted for Gentle Giant anyway....(and believe me, not because they came before)

It's not that people are voting for something because it came before (except Walter), it's that many people here grew up with the older bands, they are more familiar, they were pioneers, and that means something to many of them.  Loving music involves a big element of context for the listener (that's one reason why tastes are so subjective).

My point was that you can take any big league band from the 1970s and pair them up against any that began in the 21st century, the results here (with this demographic) would unequivocally favor the older band.

Yes vs _______

Genesis vs ______

Jethro Tull vs ______

King Crimson vs ______

Rush vs ______

No new band would stand a chance (in a poll here) against any one of these giants.

I would bet that had these older bands gotten started in 2001, they would not have the reception (here) they did in the context of their time.

my big point in making this poll is that everytime i listen to Gentle Giant i often think of my friends that are oppsessed with the Mars Volta and look to them as the nr1 prog band in the world and for some the first band many of my frinds thinks of the first time I mention Prog to them they will start by mentioning Mars Volta, Tool, Coheed and Cambria, Muse and so on but few of them have heard on or heard about Gentle Giant, few knows of KC, some knows some Yes and Genesis songs Rush and Pink Floyd is another case (you had to liv under a rock for not knowing who they are).

and to me Gentle Giant has this sound that to me they sound realy fresh in 2010, the way their songs are constructet, the complexity, the crazynes, the raw, organic sound. they sound like a more human version of Dillinger Escape Plan to my young ears (not that they are any thing similar to Dillinger Escape Plan), but for me had GG been released to day as somthing fresh and cool prog they have this thing that they sound modern (even if they mix in elements of Medival, Classical and chamber music) for a 70s band espessially In a Glass House, sounds almoust like Math Rock.


Edited by aginor - April 22 2010 at 16:34

Originally posted by rogerthat Robert, I would agree with you if the comparison was Camel and Radiohead and the margin in favour of Camel was similar. GG are just overwhelmingly the better band, at least imo, in this case, no contest.  Between one single GG masterpiece - say House Street Room - and all the TMV albums, I would go for the former without hesitation.

And I, as much as I love Gentle Giant, do not feel the same.

Giant for a day

Gentle Giant, still gentle (of progrock sound) through the years...