Gentle Giant - Octopus

1973 prog opus in 3000-copy digipak

The prog maestros led by the Shulman brothers are an acquired taste, and this eight-song set probably won’t win over many new converts. But for those familiar with the Giant’s complex temposhifting, dissonant melodies and kitchen-sink instrumentation, there’s much here that will divert the attention.

The Advent Of Panurge opens in monastically chanting style over a Yes-like backing, with trumpet and piano complementing the shifting beat. Raconteur Troubadour follows in a Proto-Kaw fashion, with strings and syncopated key work, while the madrigal of Knots throws in trademark a cappella over plinky xylophones and Dog’s Life ups the oddness ante with its Gryphon-like use of medieval tones. The sweet guitar rousting of River closes things in jarringly melodic fashion.

Repoertoire | REP 5098

Reviewed by Tim Jones
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