Gentle Giant
Octopus

THE REVIEW

Progressive rock is often defined as a popular sub-genre of music characterized by an unusual rhythmic structure that does not follow the usual rhythmic rules of Pop, Folk, Rock and Roll, or Blues, such as verse-chorus-verse. Rather, it features sudden tempo changes executed in odd time signatures, all supported by a large array of varied instrumentation: keyboards (Hammond), percussion of any kind, transverse flutes, violins, trumpets, metallophones, and more. Although progressive rock aimed to bring a breath of fresh air to popular music in the late sixties, blending influences from Jazz, Symphonic, Classical, and Medieval Opera music. Critics of the era often targeted the grandiose suites of prog's champions, highlighting the excessive technical exuberance that was sometimes an end in itself.

And who can blame them? Indeed, I, Vituperio, despite being a progressive rock lover, cannot deny that albums like "Tales From Topographic Oceans" have the power to bore me to tears (Yes fans, don't take it personally... you know I love you anyway). Perhaps I'm wrong... but the music critique overlooked the fact that, textually speaking, progressive rock songs were making giant (gentle) strides, preferring philosophical themes over social ones, fantasy over the real world, literary works, etc. So a respectable progressive rock band absolutely has to handle these musical characteristics as well. In short, to cut a long story short (as I have gone on too much already), if I had to choose an album that encapsulates all the best features of progressive music without any negative side, without hesitation I'd choose Octopus by Gentle Giant. A milestone.

RATING: 5/5, completely subjective.