MEDDLE

In no attempt to discredit the status of 'Meddle' as a classic album of the early 70s, we must admit that it is a weird Pink Floyd release that captures that transitional period for the band where you get some leftovers of the Barrett-era psychedelia and a first glance into the conceptual and far-reaching prog side of the truly classic period yet to come. And as the story goes, the band entered the studio without any clear idea of the album's direction, which is of course, reflected by the decent but never really exciting music on 'Meddle'. This album is a somewhat eclectic mixture of styles that pertains to both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet it is not a great album by the standards of either of these genres - instead, it is an experimental offering that anticipates the future direction of Floyd.

The opening track is naturally one of the signature Floyd instrumentals - 'One of These Days' works finely and serves as an example of good writing from the band, really tight and with a clear direction, with its keyboards protruding the space of the song like blades, and the gradually distorting and trippy guitar sounds of Gilmour. This is followed by 'A Pillow of Winds', a very mellow track that is nothing short of boring, virtually nothing happens there, and if that's not enough, what follows is an attempt to have a quirky folk song interpolated with a show tune from the 1940s. 'San Tropez' is an attempted jazz-versed tune with vocals from Waters, while 'Seamus' is a dismal entry with dog barks for vocals - none of the abstract and directionless tracks here work. 'Echoes' then occupies the entire second half of 'Meddle', a track often considered seminal for the period; it is a fine, tranquilizing excursion of a song that is at times an overlong patience test. And in a more summary tone we could conclude that 'Meddle' is fine but not great, with just the first and the last track worth a listen.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to A Crimson Mellotron
• Report this review (#3154106)
• Buy PINK FLOYD music online with PA partners
• Show all PINK FLOYD MP3/Stream
• Go to PINK FLOYD page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Meddle page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PINK FLOYD related discussions