Hi ar,
Gentle Giant defines the term "enigma". Many GG fans differ strongly on the band's best work. For me:
Octopus & Free Hand & The Power and The Glory are perfection while I find the first three GG records chaotic at best. Others LOVE those first three GG records the best! Go figure. Point is:
Check out all Gentle Giant. Every album is a new invention unlike what any other band did. If you don't like a particular GG record you may find you will simply love another one. So keep trying them!
@Good Sir wavelength: Yes I was heart-broken when I heard the mulit tracks for the three strongest tracks from Octopus were missing I was beside myself, but the "replacement tracks" are original 2.0 masters worked by the gifted ear of SW with some nice upmixing magic.
So I say the issue of Octopus in surround is still a miracle and an absolute must have. Sounds like the extra 16 minute live 5.1 remix is
to die for also.(I'm still waiting for my order from Headphone Dust...)