I have downloaded  samples on here and on their website and I am quite impressed by this band. I am a bit confused though because some label them as on the metallish side ... yet I can't really hear it! On the strength of the samples, I have taken a risk & ordered Mei; Cowboy Poems; Suffocating the Bloom & As the World ... was wondering if their Box set compiling the early  stuff is also worthwhile?

 I have also heard that they are highly influenced by  Gentle Giant .. but I confess I've not listened to them much. Maybe its a bit like buying all of Marillion before hearing Genesis

Metallish? No way! Some of their songs have a "harder" edge to them, but they are no more metallish then say King Crimson or Gentle Giant. You should be satisfied with all of the albums you have ordered but Suffocating the Bloom is my personal favorite.

As for their resemblance to Gentle Giant, imho it is minimal. You can definitely hear some parts that are influenced but they have quite an original sound, which is why they are probably compared to the classic band that sounds somewhat like them.

Have fun

glad to hear there's some interest in them. Having looked at their website they seem a really nice bunch of people who  look after their fans very well  ... shame they were let down so badly by Sony ... but there's a new album in the making so they have definitely risen from the ashes

Felona:

I have made the following statement before, and it applies to both Marillion vis-a-vis Genesis and Echolyn vis-a-vis Gentle Giant: If Genesis/Gentle Giant had never existed, then Marillion/Echolyn would have been Genesis/Gentle Giant.  However, if Genesis/Gentle Giant had never existed, then there wouldn't be Marillion/Echolyn.

If you can figure that out, you will understand how the two later groups relate to the two seminal groups.

Peace.

Echolyn I rate highly. Cowboy poems freeis a good album as is As the world.

I might go and see them in September, and if I was to describe them, I would say a bit like Gentle Giant too!

Trouserpress wrote: Watered down Gentle Giant. Blerch!  They've recorded a few good songs down the years but their neo-prog vibe doesn't do it for me. Felona - I definitely wouldn't advise getting any until you've heard PLENTY of Gentle Giant first.

And "Octopus" should be your first purchase!

Really good band, making really good music.

Still, Suffocating The Bloom has it's moments, I think. Some beautiful passages.

I think Echolyn is quite different from Gentle Giant. Very different. Very, very different. Well, they both have some complex, is that supposed to be the resemblance? Otherwise I don't see it.

Personally, I think Echolyn are awesome.  At times Bret Kull's singing can get on my nerves both in its message and overall tonality...however Ray Weston I have absolutely no problems with.  At times his voice has the same timbre as MJK of Tool/APC fame...to me at least. 

Not sure I see the Gentle Giant influence aside from songs like A Little Nonsense (...just because a band has multi-layered harmonies that AUTOMATICALLY makes them a derivative of an existing band?) and their affinity for classical additions to pieces.  I think they have an interesting sound and wouldn't be TOO quick to place them in neo-prog territory (seriously whoever made that up genre up...wtf). 

As The World is one of my favorites from them, also for any who hasn't check out the new DVD...they also have a new album coming out on my birthday heh(Aug. 23rd).       

TheProgtologist wrote: I have recently started listening to Echolyn and like them alot,but I don't really see a GG influence in their music.But all I have is As The World,Suffocating the Bloom and Mei(my fav so far).Damn good band though

Unlike some fellow members here, I do notice the GG influence, but they never get derivative. They also draw in influences from Yes and Kansas, but they come out with a sound of their own, very modern and at the same time firmly rooted in American music (jazz, country, pop-rock, R'n'B) in a  disctinct progressive frame. So far, "Mei" and "Suffocating the Bloom" are their most accomplished albums, but there's no losing with any Echolyn album, generally speaking. Echolyn has a few good songs?? Their career is full of great songs!!