A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

One of the least impressive Floyd albums from their earlier years, A Saucerful of Secrets is at times an absolute mess and at others absolutely brilliant. At most, this is a mediocre album by Floyd standards.

The album opens with a great bass line from new frontman Roger Waters on "Let There Be More Light" and the new lineup does not dissapoint. It goes from being a seemingly jam- oriented song to a slow, melodious chant about ships and the human race. Classic prog subject matter.

The album continues with Rick Wright's "Remember a Day", with brilliant piano work from Rick and sollid drumming from Nick Mason. Another solid, if forgettable, track.

The album then slows down even more, with the classic "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun", which is basically a brilliant space rock jam session, with Roger's lyrics propelling you to interstellar heights. The song builds up and builds down almost seemlessly, causing you to wonder whether it was a song you just heard or something more...

The next song has got to be a low point in Floyd's career. I don't know why they decided to put "Corporal Clegg" on the album, but they simply sohuld have left it on the original tapes.

Ah but then they turn it around with a brilliant jam in the vein of "Interstellar Overdrive", the title track of the album, "A Saucerful of Secrets". Though mostly mindless hitting of instruments, the track ends with the beautiful "Celestial Voices" at the end, which makes it all worth it.

"See-Saw" is next, yet another forgettable track from Rock Wright, only not as good as "Remember a Day". Not as dicposable as "Corporal Clegg", but easily forgotten.

Finally the album ends with "Jugband Blues", Syd Barret's last hurrah with the band. Unfortunately it is also a forgettable tune, though it was put on the 'best of' set Echoes, probably just as a reminder to fans that Syd was in the band at one point.

So ends Saucerful of Secrets. An interesting Pink Floyd album, yet not one that can be listened to in any situation or setting. Not one you'd play for someone who's trying to understand Pink Floyd, yet good for fans.