Acquiring the Taste is the second album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1971 on the Vertigo label. It was the final album by the band to feature original drummer Martin Smith.
Overview
Acquiring the Taste is the second album of British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1971. It was the final album by the band to feature original drummer Martin Smith.
Production
The recording was made at the following studios
Advision Studios – (Engineers: Martin Rushent, Big A & Garybaldi)
A.I.R. Studios, London – (Engineer: Bill Price)
This was a departure from the blues and soul styles found on their self-titled debut. It was more experimental, more discordant, and with more varied instrumentation. In the sleeve text, the band made this famous declaration:
It is our goal to expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of being very unpopular. We have recorded each composition with the one thought – that it should be unique, adventurous and fascinating. It has taken every shred of our combined musical and technical knowledge to achieve this. From the outset we have abandoned all preconceived thoughts of blatant commercialism. Instead we hope to give you something far more substantial and fulfilling. All you need to do is sit back, and acquire the taste.
The song "Pantagruel's Nativity" is inspired by the books of Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais.
