A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

This is a transition album. Pink Floyd have just missed Syd Barrett replacing him with Dave Gilmour. In this way they have improved the execution side as Gilmour was already light years more skilled on guitar respect to Syd but have lost the mind of the band as Syd was an absolute genius and his sogwriting is still unique while Gilmour is co-writer of just an instrumental track.

The departure of Syd gives to Waters the possibility to discover his talent as songwriter. Some of his compositions are still heavily influenced by Syd. Probably the EMI had a part in this. However a song like Set The Control For The Heart Of The Sun is a masterpiece still executed live after more than 40 years. The influence of Syd is less evident and this is one of the milestones in moving from the original psychedelia to what was interpreted as space-rock. Waters never liked this definition, but this song fits well in this descripton.

A Saucerful of Secrets is composed of three distinct sections which originally were meant to be three different tracks. This is where Gilmour is credited as co-author.

Jugband Blues is the last Syd Barrett's song to appear on a Pink Floyd album, Corporal Clegg is the first Waters lyric with political contents. Remember a Day and See Saw are two of the first three songs written by Wright...

Without taking into account the excellent "More", that's a soundtrack and has a different personal story, this is the album that will be followed by Ummagumma. It's not yet the Pink Floyd's new deal. They are searching for a new identity. Also Ummagumma will be a moment of transition. It's with Meddle that the Waters era begins.

Here we have an overall very good album with at least two long tracks that will remain in the band's history like Set The Controls and the title track, but the rest is still immature. Not a masterpiece, then, but it deserves 4 full stars.

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