10 Best Progressive Rock Albums Of All Time

Is John Weathers the finest drummer in the history of prog rock?

There's certainly an argument to be made for his far-out approach to percussion. It's the expansive backbone of Gentle Giant's fourth LP. 'Octopus' was considered a new peak for the group upon its release in 1972 thanks to its curious blend of medieval stylings and headbanging rock.

A landmark shift in sound for the group, it holds both the debut of Weathers and the grand finale for eccentric trumpeter (among several other instruments) Phil Shulman. According to Shulman's brother, and group frontman, Derek Shulman, 'Octopus' moved them into what was widely regarded as their creative peak period leading up to their 1980 break-up.

Wild, hectic sound concoctions like 'Knots' and 'Dog's Life' display the group at their strangest. 'The Boys in the Band', meanwhile, is an ambitious instrumental piece that hammers home the imaginative, experimental approach they so often took to recording. It's not all quite so complicated, however, as more accessible, rock-focused songs like 'The Advent of Panurge' display the group at their rollicking best.

While some may argue 'Acquiring the Taste' is the group's magnum opus, 'Gentle Giant' was the trailblazer. An unwieldy but incredibly catchy and creative instalment in the genre's mid '70s boom period.