VOLUME TWO

After the great 'Third' I had the opportunity to order a vinyl reissue of the second Soft Machine album, which was originally released in the spring of progressive music, '69. In this year a lot of progressive bands were yet in preparation for their first releases and the psychedelic music was near it's demise. Soft Machine combined the psychedelic sound with progressive songwriting, accessible and gentle vocals of mister Wyatt and a lot of noisy soundscapes.

Throughout the album, which has only short tracks, their seems to be no direction and I think the record was intended to be mysterious and in-logical. One the listener accepts this strange concept a world of spacey music opens. The lyrics are fictional and funny at times and remind us of the artistic freedom of the psychedelic movement. Some drum-solo's are really innovative. The recording isn't perfect, but somehow their very much sound on this album. The recording is intensive!

Whilst most of the songs have that Canterbury jazzy rhythms and some odd time signatures, Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening stands out as a fantastic progressive song with great acoustic guitar playing of Hugh Hopper. The dreamy vocals of Wyatt had been a blessing during all other tracks on the album, but on this track his moody vocals really touch me.

Conclusion. During the first spins I though of this album as being very confusing, but it turned out to be a great album in the end. There weren't that much great records in '69, but this is one of them for sure! Four happy stars. Recommended to fans of Canterbury, eclectic prog and psychedelic music. Fans of sympho prog might find this to be too chaotic.

Share this THE SOFT MACHINE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to friso
• Report this review (#275546)
• Buy THE SOFT MACHINE music online with PA partners
• Show all THE SOFT MACHINE MP3/Stream
• Go to THE SOFT MACHINE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Volume Two page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for THE SOFT MACHINE related discussions