The Soft Machine vs. The Aerosol Grey Machine

Welcome my friends, welcome to the machine, the Man-Machine one might add. I'm keeping this short, if sweet, that may be debatable.

Anyhow, which of the debuts (even if that is debatable) in the poll do you enjoy the most?





I like both, but The Soft Machine is my preference.

EDIT: Even in short posts I still manage typos.

Edited by Logan - February 17 2019 at 11:53

Very close, but my vote goes to The Soft Machine.

Vdgg for me

VdGG

Difficult to go past the Soft Machine, but both good.

VDGG

Saperlipopette! wrote: I rarely listen to any of these but I like them. Its not original to consider both to peak artistically a little later. As a full album Aerosol isn't all that but the highlights are wonderful and it does show great promise. The Soft Machine however is hugely successful at being the loose, free spirited, unpretentious and fun jazzed psychrock-band they were in 1968. As different as the Softs were in 68, 69 and 70 - I never get the feeling of "transitional albums". So as indifferent to "but is it prog?" - a nice protoprog debut up against a swinging sixties psychedelic-classic the latter gets my vote.

cemego wrote: I read what other's have said.  And this will probably make people mad, but I never liked Peter Hammill's voice.  I also revere Soft Machine as one of the founders of Canterbury, Jazz/Rock/Prog hybrid music I have grown to love so much. Beyond a doubt, Soft Machine gets my vote.  Not even a contest here.

It shouldn't make people mad, especially as you spelled his name right and you don't sound like you're insulting those who enjoy his vocals or using hyperbole to express your feelings (so many haters spell his name wrong). I used to say that Hammill's hammy vocals make me ill, which would usually get a clappy from someone despite not being very witty.    I disliked Hammill's "histrionics" as I saw it, and some of his more overt theatricality, but still loved songs such as "House With No Door", "Refugeees" and "Out of My Book" early on. His vocals grew on me over time, but it took some time, and I wouldn't expect it to grow on others (with some the problem is about his most shouty parts, with others it's the whole package).

I have suggested to some who have expressed utter contempt, ridicule and hatred towards VdGG (of which i would not include you based on such a post at all) because of Hammill's vocals to stick to the instrumentals such as Theme One, Boleas Panic, Vulcan Meld. Double Bass, and in keeping with this topic, "Black Smoke Yen" (not that such a but 1 minute and 18 seconds piece of music would sway people).



Anyway, while I enjoy VdGG with and without vocals, and I like the debut considerably, Soft Machine's debut is certainly stronger and more "already there" for me. Third is my favourite Soft Machine album followed by the second.

Edited by Logan - February 18 2019 at 10:30

Soft Machine

Soft Machine