Never quite rising to the fame of their progressive rock contemporaries like Yes and Genesis, this 70s band nonetheless deserves mention with those groups for their virtuosity, eclecticism, and compositional sensibilites. While their sound meanders through the experimental and avant-garde, they had a real gift for infectious hooks, making them one of prog rock’s catchier acts. These are my favorite songs from the London troubadours.

*This list will be updated in the event of any future (including posthumous) releases.

Honorable mentions

The Face

Free Hand

His Last Voyage

I Lost My Head

Schooldays

Top 10

10. The Runaway

9. Aspirations

8. Raconteur Troubadour

7. A Cry for Everyone

6. Mister Class and Quality?

5. Proclamation

4. Pantagruel’s Nativity

3. Playing the Game

2. The Advent of Panurge

1. In a Glass House

Favorite Album Cover

Octopus (1972)

Favorite Track on Each Album

Gentle Giant (1970): Funny Ways

Acquiring the Taste (1971): Pantagruel’s Nativity

Three Friends (1972): Mister Class and Quality?

Octopus (1972): The Advent of Panurge

In a Glass House (1973): In a Glass House

The Power and the Glory (1974): Playing the Game

Free Hand (1975): Free Hand

Interview (1976): I Lost My Head

The Missing Piece (1977): For Nobody

Giant for a Day! (1978): Giant for a Day

Civilian (1980): Convenience (Clean and Easy)

Albums Ranked

11. Civilian (1980)

10. Giant for a Day! (1978)

9. The Missing Piece (1977)

8. Interview (1976)

7. Free Hand (1975)

6. Gentle Giant (1970)

5. Acquiring the Taste (1971)

4. Three Friends (1972)

3. The Power and the Glory (1974)

2. In a Glass House (1973)

1. Octopus (1972)