Acquiring the Taste | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 16 July 1971 [1] | |||
Recorded | January–April 1971 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | Progressive rock | |||
Length | 39:26 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Tony Visconti | |||
Gentle Giant chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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.
The album was recorded at Advision Studios in London, with engineers Martin Rushent, Big A and Garybaldi, and at AIR Studios in London, with engineer Bill Price.
The album cover artwork shows a giant tongue licking what appear to be buttocks. When the album gatefold sleeve is opened completely, however, it actually shows the tongue licking a peach. In 2005 the cover was featured in Pitchfork 's list of "The Worst Record Covers of All Time". [3]
All tracks are written by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, Phil Shulman, and Ray Shulman; arranged by Gentle Giant, except where noted.
No. | Title | Lead vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Pantagruel's Nativity" |
| 6:53 |
2. | "Edge of Twilight" ( [nb 1] ) |
| 3:51 |
3. | "The House, the Street, the Room" |
| 6:05 |
4. | "Acquiring the Taste" ( [nb 2] ) | (instrumental) | 1:39 |
No. | Title | Lead vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|
5. | "Wreck" |
| 4:39 |
6. | "The Moon Is Down" | D. Shulman, P. Shulman & Minnear | 4:49 |
7. | "Black Cat" | P. Shulman | 3:54 |
8. | "Plain Truth" |
| 7:36 |
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
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UK Independent Albums (OCC) [4] | 46 |