Acquiring the Taste

Issued in 1971, Gentle Giant's second album, ACQUIRING THE TASTE, finds the British prog-rock band honing its signature sound under the guidance of producer Tony Visconti (who would later collaborate with David Bowie on some of his finest records). While the ensemble justifiably garnered comparisons to contemporaries such as Yes and King Crimson, Gentle Giant often proved to be more whimsical than those acts, as revealed on the lilting "Pantagruel's Nativity," which is lined with medieval flourishes, and the bouncy title track. Though the group would become a bit more popular with a relatively straightforward sound, this outing showcases Gentle Giant in a wildly inventive and playful mode.