Top 10s and lists - Top 7 Soft Machine Albums

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Top 7 Soft Machine Albums

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Topic: Top 7 Soft Machine Albums

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Top 7 Soft Machine Albums
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 05:35

There's no long intro this time, but a wacky video instead. This is my favourite Soft Machine song, from the album, Alive & Well in Paris (1978), which reminds me of the Georgio Moroder & Donna Summer classic, I Feel Love.

Soft Machine - Soft Space - featuring scenes from the cult East German sci-fi movie, In the Dust of the Stars (1976) ..... And you thought Zardoz was weird!

Simply list your Top 7 Soft Machine albums in order of preference below and then I'll assign the usual system of points to your listings:-

1st album - 12 points

2nd album - 8 points

3rd album - 6 points

4th album - 4 points

5th album - 3 points

6th album - 2 points

7th album - 1 point

Here's my Top 7 to get the poll underway:-

1. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

2. Softs (8 points)

3. Bundles (6 points)

4. Alive & Well in Paris (4 points)

5. Rubber Riff (3 points)

6. Seven (2 points)

7. Third (1 point)

Soft Machine's Albums

1968: The Soft Machine - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu2Lq_DV8ksSBDAsKQTWLQh" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu2Lq_DV8ksSBDAsKQTWLQh

1969: Volume Two - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEaaflha32IyWIG4z83uAQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEaaflha32IyWIG4z83uAQ

1970: Alive in Paris - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuOo1g0OGzZ-vXzKmEkZSZj" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuOo1g0OGzZ-vXzKmEkZSZj

1970: Third - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvSfC2pufabkdZ5Oty7BSgS" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvSfC2pufabkdZ5Oty7BSgS

1971: Fourth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu_Vr8eXLBdjgXQ2-wrRsya" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu_Vr8eXLBdjgXQ2-wrRsya

1972: Fifth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsx4E8VoKv4YakLs2237xgs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsx4E8VoKv4YakLs2237xgs

1973: Six - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt63Z0slMpNeaQY0cWettv0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt63Z0slMpNeaQY0cWettv0

1973: Seven - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltf26e2tZFBg3APTuGNKH45" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltf26e2tZFBg3APTuGNKH45

1975: Bundles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuBm0Ga3qBjdY2Oc3utjUoh" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuBm0Ga3qBjdY2Oc3utjUoh

1976: Softs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvyLK7eC-z75etCxyfT4fAf" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvyLK7eC-z75etCxyfT4fAf

1976: Rubber Riff - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuiJUCiuPd7XiZuYwdbmHsJ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuiJUCiuPd7XiZuYwdbmHsJ

1978: Alive & Well: Recorded in Paris - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBVfX6SzmtW0Px4YHawIVI" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBVfX6SzmtW0Px4YHawIVI

1981: Land of Cockayne - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltd8PW6SVTN6uNdV_0sYJwQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltd8PW6SVTN6uNdV_0sYJwQ

2018: Hidden Details - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvVBXo1Yno-zb1XrZX-aBbN" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvVBXo1Yno-zb1XrZX-aBbN

Replies:

Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 05:55

I'm taking this thread as my cue to finally delve deep into this band.

-------------

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021

Posted By: Mirakaze
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 06:09

Surprised to see you make this thread; I figured you wouldn't like this band at all but I'm glad to be proven wrong Smile

Anyway:

1. Third

2. Bundles

3. Volume Two

4. The Soft Machine

5. Softs

6. Fourth

7. Alive & Well

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 06:13

Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

I'm taking this thread as my cue to finally delve deep into this band.

I'd never been a big fan of Soft Machine until I listened to all of their albums for the first time this week, and they're a surprisingly good band, (with such notable players as Karl Jenkins & Alan Holdsworth), especially from the "Seven" (1973) album onwards.

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 06:17

Mirakaze wrote:

Surprised to see you make this thread; I figured you wouldn't like this band at all but I'm glad to be proven wrong Smile

I was really surprised I liked Soft Machine too, having never listened to any of their albums in full before this past week. The only albums I disliked were Fourth, Fifth & Six, which is reflected in my PA ratings. I was totally blown away by the wonderful sci-fi "Soft Space" number at the top of the page. That wasn't the kind of synth-driven out-of-this-world music I was expecting from Soft Machine at all.

Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 06:28

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

1. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

I'm taking this thread as my cue to finally delve deep into this band.

hatever you do, don't start with Cockayne. Wink

-------------
let's just stay above the moral melee
prefer the sink to the gutter
keep our sand-castle virtues
content to be a doer
as well as a thinker,
prefer lifting our pen
rather than un-sheath our sword

Posted By: A Crimson Mellotron
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 06:47

Here's my top 3:

1. Third

2. Volume Two

3. The Soft Machine

*Sorry Paul, it's really hard to rank these, so I'll go with top 3 for now*

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 07:03

Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron

A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

*Sorry Pete, it's really hard to rank these, so I'll go with top 3 for now*

Who's Pete?

Posted By: A Crimson Mellotron
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 10:13

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

*Sorry Pete, it's really hard to rank these, so I'll go with top 3 for now*

Who's Pete?

HAHAHA. Good question. Fixed it. Big smile

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 13:13

Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

I'm taking this thread as my cue to finally delve deep into this band.

I'd advise listening to the Third album first of all, as that appears to be the popular PA favourite, unlike my cock-eyed favourite, Land of Cockayne.

Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: December 26 2020 at 14:04

1. Third

2. Bundles

3. Softs

4. The Soft Machine

5. Volume 2

6. Fourth

7. Seven

-------------
I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you?

Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 07:12

I’m a fan of all their albums (yes, even Cockayne),, so this list reflects just small degrees of difference in preference.

Third
Volume 2
Fourth
Seven
Five
Softs
Debut

-------------
My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 07:34

Merry Christmas Steve

I am a big fan of The Softs as well. I’d be hard pressed to make a list but if I did, it’d probably look fairly close to yours. I would however switch around the two top dogs and move up the debut some as I really dig the early albums. Vol 2 has always been my personal fave though. It’s like a psychedelic kindergarten trip with these whimsical and highly memorable melodies popping up in the most delightful places.

-------------
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

- Douglas Adams

Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 08:09

Third

Fourth

Bundles

Backwards

Grides

Virtuality

One

Two

Five

Switzerland 74

-------------
Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 09:35

This is how the Top 7 looks so far after the first half dozen rounds of voting:-

1. Third (61 points)

2. Bundles (28 points)

3. Volume Two (25 points)

4. Softs (19 points)

5. Fourth (18 points)

6. The Soft Machine (16 points)

7. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

I wonder why I'm the only one so far who voted for Land of Cockayne.

Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 09:47

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

This is how the Top 7 looks so far after the first half dozen rounds of voting:-

1. Third (61 points)

2. Bundles (28 points)

3. Volume Two (25 points)

4. Softs (19 points)

5. Fourth (18 points)

6. The Soft Machine (16 points)

7. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

I wonder why I'm the only one so far who voted for Land of Cockayne.

Because as it's objectively not as good as the rest of their discography? It's their lowest rated album on PA & RYM.

-------------
Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 09:54

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

I wonder why I'm the only one so far who voted for Land of Cockayne.

Because as it's objectively not as good as the rest of their discography? It's their lowest rated album on PA & RYM.

I seem to have a curious habit of liking the albums which no one else likes, and vice versa.

Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 10:12

I like Soft Machine but I have difficulties to rank their albums. They are very different, all have something good on offer, on the other hand none of them is among my top favourites. So this may change from day to day, and today I may be slightly biased by the fact that their excellent most recent album Hidden Details hasn't picked up any votes yet. You may challenge me putting it at number one, but not in the top 7? I ask you...

1 Hidden Details

2 Seven

3 Third

4 Two

5 One

6 Alive & Well

7 Bundles

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 27 2020 at 10:22

^ The devil is in the Hidden Details and your #1 placing for the album is just as valid as my #1 placing for Land of Cockayne.

Top 7 update with your votes added:-

1. Third (67 points)

2. Bundles (29 points)

2. Volume Two (29 points)

4. Softs (19 points)

4. The Soft Machine (19 points)

6. Fourth (18 points)

7. Seven (15 points)

8. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

8. Hidden Details (12 points)

Posted By: Grubert
Date Posted: December 29 2020 at 06:54

1. Third

2. Five

3. Six

4. Fourth

5. Volume 2

6. The Soft Machine

7. Seven

Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: December 29 2020 at 09:11

Sticking with the historical releases.

Six

Seven

Third

Blundes

Softs

Fourth

Vol 2

Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: December 29 2020 at 09:34

I've only heard Third & Bundles. Both are very good. (Just got Bundles for Christmas)

I'm going to need to check out some more stuff and get back to you.

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 29 2020 at 09:55

Argo2112 wrote:

I've only heard Third & Bundles. Both are very good. (Just got Bundles for Christmas)

I'm going to need to check out some more stuff and get back to you.

I would've recommended the Land of Cockayne album, but it doesn't appear to be popular amongst Soft Machine fans, considering I'm the only one who's voted for the album so far.

Top 7 update after two more rounds of voting:-

1. Third (85 points)

2. Volume Two (33 points)

2. Bundles (33 points)

4. Seven (24 points)

4. Fourth (24 points)

6. Softs (22 points)

7. The Soft Machine (21 points)

8. Six (18 points)

9. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

9. Hidden Details (12 points)

Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: December 29 2020 at 12:32

Guldbamsen wrote:

Merry Christmas Steve

Hey David! Good to see you :)

-------------
My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 10:59

1. Softs

2. Bundles

3. Six

4. Hidden Details

5. Seven

6. Third

7. Volume Two

-------------
----------
i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag
that's a happy bag of lettuce
this car smells like cartilage
nothing beats a good video about fractions

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 11:24

Top 7 update with Prog Aardvark's votes added:-

1. Third (87 points)

2. Bundles (41 points)

3. Volume Two (34 points)

3. Softs (34 points)

5. Seven (27 points)

6. Fourth (24 points)

6. Six (24 points)

8. The Soft Machine (21 points)

9. Hidden Details (16 points)

10. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 15:27

Third

Two

Bundles

Seven

Six

Four

One

-------------
One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 06 2021 at 15:35

Top 7 update with DrWu23's votes added:-

1. Third (99 points)

2. Bundles (47 points)

3. Volume Two (42 points)

3. Softs (34 points)

5. Seven (31 points)

6. Six (27 points)

7. Fourth (26 points)

8. The Soft Machine (22 points)

9. Hidden Details (16 points)

10. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 08 2021 at 04:58

Soft Machine's Albums

1968: The Soft Machine - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu2Lq_DV8ksSBDAsKQTWLQh" rel="nofollow - 1969: Volume Two - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEaaflha32IyWIG4z83uAQ" rel="nofollow - 1970: Alive in Paris - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuOo1g0OGzZ-vXzKmEkZSZj" rel="nofollow - 1970: Third - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvSfC2pufabkdZ5Oty7BSgS" rel="nofollow - 1971: Fourth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu_Vr8eXLBdjgXQ2-wrRsya" rel="nofollow - 1972: Fifth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsx4E8VoKv4YakLs2237xgs" rel="nofollow - 1973: Six - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt63Z0slMpNeaQY0cWettv0" rel="nofollow - 1973: Seven - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltf26e2tZFBg3APTuGNKH45" rel="nofollow - 1975: Bundles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuBm0Ga3qBjdY2Oc3utjUoh" rel="nofollow - 1976: Softs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvyLK7eC-z75etCxyfT4fAf" rel="nofollow - 1976: Rubber Riff - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuiJUCiuPd7XiZuYwdbmHsJ" rel="nofollow - 1978: Alive & Well: Recorded in Paris - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBVfX6SzmtW0Px4YHawIVI" rel="nofollow - 1981: Land of Cockayne - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltd8PW6SVTN6uNdV_0sYJwQ" rel="nofollow - 2018: Hidden Details - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvVBXo1Yno-zb1XrZX-aBbN" rel="nofollow -

Posted By: AZF
Date Posted: January 17 2021 at 14:42

1. Volume 2 (12 points)
2. Softs (8 points)
3. Six (6 points)
4. Third (4 points)
5. Bundles (3 points)
6. Hidden Details (2 points)
7. Fifth (1 point)

Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 17 2021 at 14:50

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Soft Machine's Albums

Seeing SM rated 2 stars like some boring bland predictable music is funny, but still. Confused

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 17 2021 at 15:33

^ You know me well enough by now to know that when it comes to my album ratings, you can expect the unexpected.

Top 7 update with AZF's votes added:-

1. Third (103 points)

2. Volume Two (54 points)

3. Bundles (50 points)

4. Softs (42 points)

5. Six (33 points)

6. Seven (31 points)

7. Fourth (26 points)

8. The Soft Machine (22 points)

9. Hidden Details (18 points)

10. Land of Cockayne (12 points)

Posted By: aryder52
Date Posted: February 22 2021 at 09:56

1. Bundles

2. Softs

3. Volume 1

4. Land of Cockayne

5. Hidden Details

6. Volume Two

7. Third

I find 'Land of Cockayne' a very satisfying album to listen to. It's also a lovely swansong to the Karl Jenkins period of the band with JB guesting with his unmistakable bass playing. Kind of in a strange way psychedelic. P.S. I doubt whether this would be my final list as things change but my number one will be this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjhdbwYvgPk

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 22 2021 at 10:23

Top 7 update with Aryder52's votes added:-

1. Third (104 points)

2. Bundles (62 points)

3. Volume Two (56 points)

4. Softs (50 points)

5. Six (33 points)

6. Seven (31 points)

7. The Soft Machine (28 points)

8. Fourth (26 points)

9. Hidden Details (21 points)

10. Land of Cockayne (16 points)

It's good to see I'm not the only one with Land of Cockayne in their Top 7. Thumbs Up

Posted By: Intruder
Date Posted: February 27 2021 at 11:38

Of the studio albums (though live tracks dot a few of the studio releases):

Seven

Six

Bundles

Softs

Third

Second-First.......can't separate the two as I've had the pair on a single disc for sooooo long

Land

Fourth.....Wyatt! I need to give it another spin but I've never been able to get into it

Fifth.....see above sans Wyatt; maybe it's cause I have the pair on a single CD that I don't dig it

-------------
I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there.....

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 27 2021 at 11:49

Top 7 update with Intruder's votes added:-

1. Third (107 points)

2. Bundles (68 points)

3. Volume Two (58 points)

4. Softs (54 points)

5. Seven (43 points)

6. Six (41 points)

7. The Soft Machine (30 points)

8. Fourth (26 points)

9. Hidden Details (21 points)

10. Land of Cockayne (16 points)

Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: March 03 2021 at 09:58

This is gonna be difficult. Virtually (get it?) nothing between some of these:

1. Bundles

2. Softs

3. Seven

4. Six

5. Fifth

6. Fourth

7. Third

But really for me it's like:

1. Bundles = Softs

2. Fourth = Fifth = Six = Seven

3. Third = Land of Cockayne = Alive and Well

4. Vol. 2

5. Debut (sorry, don't like it)

-------------
https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album!
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385

Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: March 03 2021 at 10:03

Is there not much love for Fifth? :(

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https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album!
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385

Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: March 03 2021 at 11:06

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Soft Machine's Albums

1968: The Soft Machine - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu2Lq_DV8ksSBDAsKQTWLQh" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu2Lq_DV8ksSBDAsKQTWLQh[/URL]

1969: Volume Two - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEaaflha32IyWIG4z83uAQ" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEaaflha32IyWIG4z83uAQ[/URL]

1970: Alive in Paris - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuOo1g0OGzZ-vXzKmEkZSZj" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuOo1g0OGzZ-vXzKmEkZSZj[/URL]

1970: Third - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvSfC2pufabkdZ5Oty7BSgS" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvSfC2pufabkdZ5Oty7BSgS[/URL]

1971: Fourth - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu_Vr8eXLBdjgXQ2-wrRsya" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lu_Vr8eXLBdjgXQ2-wrRsya[/URL]

1972: Fifth - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsx4E8VoKv4YakLs2237xgs" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsx4E8VoKv4YakLs2237xgs[/URL]

1973: Six - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt63Z0slMpNeaQY0cWettv0" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt63Z0slMpNeaQY0cWettv0[/URL]

1973: Seven - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltf26e2tZFBg3APTuGNKH45" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltf26e2tZFBg3APTuGNKH45[/URL]

1975: Bundles - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuBm0Ga3qBjdY2Oc3utjUoh" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuBm0Ga3qBjdY2Oc3utjUoh[/URL]

1976: Softs - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvyLK7eC-z75etCxyfT4fAf" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvyLK7eC-z75etCxyfT4fAf[/URL]

1976: Rubber Riff - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuiJUCiuPd7XiZuYwdbmHsJ" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuiJUCiuPd7XiZuYwdbmHsJ[/URL]

1978: Alive & Well: Recorded in Paris - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBVfX6SzmtW0Px4YHawIVI" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvBVfX6SzmtW0Px4YHawIVI[/URL]

1981: Land of Cockayne - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltd8PW6SVTN6uNdV_0sYJwQ" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Ltd8PW6SVTN6uNdV_0sYJwQ[/URL]

2018: Hidden Details - [URL=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvVBXo1Yno-zb1XrZX-aBbN" rel="nofollow]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvVBXo1Yno-zb1XrZX-aBbN[/URL]

My Seven Are:

1. Third
2. Bundles
3. Two
4. Hidden Details
5. Six
6. Five
7. Softs

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Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake."

Music Is Live

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

Keep Calm And Listen To The Music…
<

Posted By: Progmind
Date Posted: March 03 2021 at 12:30

1 - Third

2 - Seven

3 - Two

4 - One

5 - Hidden Details

6 - Alive & Well

7 - Bundles

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: March 11 2021 at 05:32

Top 7 update after three more rounds of voting:-

1. Third (132 points)

2. Bundles (89 points)

3. Volume Two (70 points)

4. Softs (63 points)

5. Seven (57 points)

6. Six (48 points)

7. The Soft Machine (34 points)

8. Fourth (28 points)

8. Hidden Details (28 points)

10. Land of Cockayne (16 points)

Posted By: Rick1
Date Posted: March 12 2021 at 04:32

The band's sound evolved so quickly that it is impossible to be scientific about it - so I am going to go in order of albums acquired, the first of which was 'Triple Echo', bought in 77 so that doesn't count! Here are the rest:

1. Softs

2. Third

3. First

4. Fifth

5. Second

6. Hidden Details (amazing)

7. Alive and Well

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 13 2021 at 07:47

Top 7 update with Rick1's votes added:-

1. Third (140 points)

2. Bundles (89 points)

3. Softs (75 points)

4. Volume Two (73 points)

5. Seven (57 points)

6. Six (48 points)

7. The Soft Machine (40 points)

8. Hidden Details (30 points)

9. Fourth (28 points)

10. Fifth (21 points)

Land of Cockayne has just dropped out of the Top 10. Cry

Posted By: enigmatic
Date Posted: December 04 2021 at 13:38

1. Volume Two
2. Third
3. Fourth
4. The Soft Machine
5. Bundles
6. Five
7. Six

Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: December 04 2021 at 15:17

Bundles

Seven

Third

Fifth

Fourth

Six

Volume Two

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: December 05 2021 at 01:35

Third

Fourth

The Second Album

Softs

Fifth

The Soft Machine

Seven

I know I would have enjoyed Bundles much more if Holdsworth wasn't all over it. Yeah he sort of ruines a couple of Gong albums for me as well. I much prefer the lush yachtrockin' Land Of Cockayne

(edit: moved Softs up one spot)

Posted By: Rick1
Date Posted: December 06 2021 at 05:48

A good time to revisit this poll with the new tour announced next year. However, Roy Babbington has decided to retire (and one can hardly blame him - he first appeared on 'Fourth') with Fred Baker replacing him (a well known Canterbury collaborator)!

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: December 07 2021 at 11:31

Top 7 update after three more rounds of voting:-

1. Third (166 points)

2. Bundles (104 points)

3. Volume Two (92 points)

4. Softs (79 points)

5. Seven (66 points)

6. Six (51 points)

7. The Soft Machine (46 points)

8. Fourth (45 points)

9. Hidden Details (30 points)

9. Fifth (30 points)

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: November 22 2022 at 04:14

No surprise again that my own personal cockeyed Top 7 looks nothing like the overall Top 7, with my favourite Soft Machine album, "Land of Cockayne" nowhere to be seen - not even if I stretch it out to a Top 10. Disapprove

Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 22 2022 at 05:48

Sorry I missed this one! If it's not too late, here are my seven:

Bundles

Third

Volume Two

Fourth

Hidden Details

Sixth

Volume One (The Soft Machine)

-------------
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: November 22 2022 at 05:59

^ It's never too late to vote. These Top 7 polls just Keep On Runnin' Smile

1. Third (174 points)

2. Bundles (116 points)

3. Volume Two (98 points)

4. Softs (79 points)

5. Seven (66 points)

6. Six (53 points)

7. Fourth (49 points)

8. The Soft Machine (47 points)

9. Hidden Details (33 points)

10. Fifth (30 points)

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: November 26 2022 at 02:19

Soft Space: an all-time favourite Soft Machine track.

Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: December 06 2022 at 14:11

A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

Here's my top 3:

1. Third

2. Volume Two

3. The Soft Machine

*Sorry Paul, it's really hard to rank these, so I'll go with top 3 for now*

Me too.

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Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion.

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: October 18 2023 at 22:59

Third

Seven

Bundles

Softs

NDR Jazz Workshop

Noisette

Grides

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Octopus II
Date Posted: October 19 2023 at 01:38

Third

Fourth

The Second Album

Bundles

Fifth

The Soft Machine

Seven

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 19 2023 at 01:47

Top 7 update with Mellotron Storm & Octopus II's votes added:-

1. Third (198 points)

2. Bundles (126 points)

3. Volume Two (104 points)

4. Softs (83 points)

5. Seven (75 points)

6. Fourth (57 points)

7. Six (53 points)

8. The Soft Machine (49 points)

9. Hidden Details (33 points)

9. Fifth (33 points)

Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: October 19 2023 at 07:53

I think it's about time I do a "Ranking The Soft Machine Albums" episode.

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The Prog Corner

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 19 2023 at 08:02

miamiscot wrote:

I think it's about time I do a "Ranking The Soft Machine Albums" episode.

When it comes to enthusiasm, your entertaining videos are Uptown Top Ranking, especially regarding your passionate appreciation of the two new YES albums. Thumbs Up

Posted By: Dapper~Blueberries
Date Posted: November 09 2023 at 10:42

1. Bundles

2. Softs

3. Third

4. Six

5. Fifth

6. Fourth

7. The Soft Machine

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D~B

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: November 09 2023 at 15:48

Top 7 update with Dapper Blueberries votes added:-

1. Third (204 points)

2. Bundles (138 points)

3. Volume Two (104 points)

4. Softs (91 points)

5. Seven (75 points)

6. Fourth (59 points)

7. Six (57 points)

8. The Soft Machine (50 points)

9. Fifth (36 points)

10. Hidden Details (33 points)

Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: November 09 2023 at 15:59

Bundles
Alive and Well: Recorded in Paris
Volume 2
One
Triple Echo - Was a superb LP compilation that was only available on vinyl. Never released on CD

Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: November 13 2023 at 13:17

Top 7 update with Grumpy Prog Fan's votes added:-

1. Third (204 points)

2. Bundles (150 points)

3. Volume Two (110 points)

4. Softs (91 points)

5. Seven (75 points)

6. Fourth (59 points)

7. Six (57 points)

8. The Soft Machine (54 points)

9. Fifth (36 points)

10. Hidden Details (33 points)

Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: November 13 2023 at 16:04

Grumpyprogfan wrote:

Triple Echo - Was a superb LP compilation that was only available on vinyl. Never released on CD

This is excellent indeed and well worth a mention.