A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

This is one of the Floyds most underrated and interesting albums. Recorded during the diparture of Syd Barrett and the only album to feature both Gilmour and Barrett. Often and wrongly seen as the useless album that came after Piper. That statement couldn´t be more wrong, actually the album is a huge step forward for the band. Waters' songs on this album are all nice and contains great medoly and harmony. "Let there be more light" with it´s spacey lyrics and cool chorus, "Set the controls.." with it´s classic bass-rhytm and "Corporal Clegg", which is the first song to feature Waters anti-war paranoia he later developed into absurdum with the tremendously overblown "The Wall".

BUt the true highlights of this album are the two songs written by the often tremendeously underrated organist Rick Wright. "Remember a Day" and "See Saw" seems to float in the air, filled with smoke of some jolly-good dope. The lyrics of both, which Wright is quite embarassed about today, has a theme of childhood and happiness. Nice little lyrics that he shouldn´t be embarrassed of at ALL! Wrights singing on the songs are absolutely fantastic and BEAUTYFULL.

The title track written by all the group members (except Syd) is a hint of coming instrumental masterpieces (Atom Heart Mother, Sysyphus and so on). In this studio version "A Saucerful of Secrets" is not AS good as on the live versions of "Ummagumma" or "Live at Pompeii", but the end is magical anyway.

The album ends with Barretts last contribution to the Floyd: "Jugband Blues", a scary statement by a soul fallen to pieces. It has a strange rhytm and a very sad and touching melody. The song fits the role as the album ender perfectly.

"A Saucerful of Secrets" is an album that every fan of arty psychedlia and prog should own. It´s nice listening to and is absolutely one of the Floyds "all-time top 5" albums.