PF Ambient Rock Poll

The elements of ambient music appear on both Pink Floyd's albums "More" and "Obscured by Clouds." Both albums feature intricate soundscapes that transport listeners to otherworldly realms. The use of synthesisers, effects, and unconventional recording techniques contributed to the creation of immersive sonic environments.

The ambient music on "More" and "Obscured by Clouds" evokes a sense of mood and atmosphere that complements the thematic content of each album. From dreamy introspection to eerie tension, Pink Floyd masterfully crafted sonic landscapes that enhanced the listening experience.

Pink Floyd's experimentation with ambient elements became an integral part of their signature sound and musical identity. Although recorded three years apart, the albums "More" and "Obscured by Clouds" seem related not only due to the fact that both are film music but also through their shared exploration of ambient music, showcasing the band's evolution in sound and paving the way for their future musical endeavours; the exploration of ambient music on these albums certainly influenced Pink Floyd's later, critically more acclaimed, masterworks. 

Which record do you prefer?

"More" is the third studio album by Pink Floyd, released on June 13, 1969, by EMI Columbia. It was created as a soundtrack for the film "More," which was filmed in Ibiza and directed by Barbet Schroeder. From heavy metal in "The Nile Song" to acoustic folk ballads, the music on "More" spans a wide variety of genres. Following its release, the reviews were mixed; however, the album has become well-known for its experimental sonic textures, as "More" features elements of early ambient music. It featured tracks like "Cirrus Minor" and "Quicksilver," which showcased Pink Floyd's exploration into ambient music. The use of atmospheric sounds, ethereal textures, and experimental instrumentation demonstrated the band's splendid experimentation with atmospheric sounds, tranquil vocals, and instrumental segments that contribute to an ambient feel throughout the album, which laid the foundation for the ambient rock subgenre.

Pink Floyd's seventh studio album, "Obscured by Clouds," was released on June 2, 1972, by Harvest and Capitol Records. The album served as the soundtrack for Barbet Schroeder's film "La Vallée." Even though some of their more well-known songs have taken centre stage, "Obscured by Clouds" is a sonic bridge between their early sound and the iconic "The Dark Side of the Moon." Certain instrumental passages on this concept album exhibit characteristics that can be associated with ambient music, which was yet to come at the time. For instance, the title tracks "A Pillow of Winds" and "Circus" feature extended instrumental sections with minimal melodic content, creating an ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere. The band exudes confidence and ease. These passages can be seen as precursors to the more developed ambient soundscapes that would come to define the genre in later years. We get our final look at the psychedelic Floyds with "Obscured by Clouds" before "The Dark Side of the Moon" came out and developed them into the legendary art rock group that we know today.