Pink Floyd - Meddle
Harvest Records
Meddle is the sixth studio album by iconic progressive rock outfit Pink Floyd. It's generally seen as the transition between psychedelic Floyd and Progressive Floyd. It was released on this day 50 years ago and features artwork by longtime collaborator Storm Thorgerson of the legendary album art collective 'Hipgnosis'.
'One of These Days' kick starts the album into gear, though it takes its time doing so. Sound systems worldwide must have been shook to their core as it's like nothing of its time. A producers dream if you will, monolithic in its power and prowess. Meddle is also home to album closer Echoes. They had done progressive tracks on previous projects but not to this degree. Its structure and execution is unparalleled in the music world. Even Andrew Lloyd Webber had to 'take influence' from it for the Phantom of the Opera theme tune. It's one of those tracks that you could use to show other lifeforms what this 'Earth' shit is all about - or at least a sonic representation. It has the ups, downs and all the round and rounds in between. I think its safe to say that its place among the cream of the crop is well and truly secured at this stage.
Meddle's power lies within the albums opener and closer. The material in between is decent but being sandwiched by two tracks of insurmountable quality does it no favors. San Tropez and Seamus could have been cut from the final album for flow and quality sake.
If you've ever wondered why David Gilmour is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, then you need to check out Echoes. Understanding that great musicianship doesn't lie in the catchiness of a melody or the amount of times something you like is played, is crucial. Spacial awareness, timing, tone, and the list goes on, all come into account. There's nothing worse than someone who over steps their creative line. Knowing when to push and pull is paramount - Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead took a page from Gilmour's book for sure. This goes for every member of Pink Floyd also. Echoes is a prime example of how a band comes together as one.
Live at Pompeii is a somewhat live counterpart to Meddle. Recorded in Pompeii, at the Pompeii amphitheater, it shows the band outside of their usual setting. The band plays through their material as the landscape of Pompeii - carvings, artworks and things of that nature - are shown to the viewer from time to time. It ties in art and time seamlessly for a life affirming experience. Gilmour would return to the amphitheater in 2016 on his world tour to promote his 'Rattle That Lock' album.
"One of these days I'm going to cut you into little pieces"
November 5th, 1971.
