OBSCURED BY CLOUDS

To me, I thought this album was a bit of a letdown after "Meddle". Here they do a soundtrack album, to a French film called "La Vallée" (sp?). Still in 1972, PINK FLOYD wasn't a household name, and the music on this album seems to have that anonymous sound that's perfect for an art film soundtrack. Most of the songs tend to be ballads, and sound pretty harmless. There are still good songs here, like Water's "Free Four" and WIGHT's wonderful ballad "Stay". There's "Absolutely Curtains" which is an instrumental cut, rather atmospheric, relying on organ and synthesizer. I would love this cut much better if it didn't end with what sounds like a bunch of drunks singing. Listening to this album, it's hard to believe that the following year, they'll release an album that would pull them out of obscurity and have them fill arenas and stadiums regularly. I, of course, am referring to "Dark Side of the Moon".

To me, I find most of "Obscured by Clouds" to be too much on the "play it safe" side, but at least it isn't bad, but of course, if you want to explore their early material, go for any non-soundtrack album first before coming here.