OBSCURED BY CLOUDS

Hmm . I've just bought a wonderful prog book "INSIDE OUT - A Personal History of Pink Floyd" written by Nick Mason, the band's drummer. I thought it's an expensive book - Poundsterling-wise, it is GBP 30! - but when I read through the book with massive photographs (mostly full color) and high-quality paper and hard cover plus insightful stories by the band's founding member then my investment is worthwile! Ahem, I'm just trying to find an excuse, actually, on why I had to spend that much of money for a book. But it's a prog book man; so it's worth the investment. Yeah.., it is .!! For those who love this band, you MUST purchase this book! The paper back edition will be released April 2005 - according to amazon.com. But I think, you MUST buy the hard cover version man; it's so great!!! I could not afford sleeping last night enjoying page-by-page stories and pictures in the book. Excellent reference. Don't call yourself a Floyder if you don't own this copy! Ooops . I have no financial interest with the publisher or amazon man; I'm just expressing my delighted feeling having the book that I always carry with me wherever I go; even though it's so heavy. Never mind! Progger don't mind about this, right?

OK OK OK . let's talk about this album. The reason I pick this album for review is basically inspired by the purchase of Inside Out book. With the book on my hands - even it's now beside my laptop while I'm writing this review - and it provides some sort of enlightenment for writing a review. (Oh man .. what a great cover! I'm proud having the book with me .). As far as I know, "Obscured by Clouds" (OBC) album has rarely been discussed by proggers; but I think it deserves excellent review as it is a psychedelic music at its best!

OBC was made during the band lavish efforts making The Dark Side of The Moon album in 1972. As Mason mentioned in the book that the recording for DSOTM piece spread through 1972 as it was constantly interrupted not only by the band's touring commitment but by a whole host of other projects: the OBC film track . (page 163 - 164). After the success of "More", the band agreed to do another sound track for Barbet Schroeder film called "La Velle". The band travelled over to France to record the music.

The soundtrack opens with title track "Obscured by Clouds" which basically an instrumental track in spacey mood exploring great keyboard and stunning guitar melody. It's an excellent track and it sets fantastic atmosphere for the whole album. It flows to second track "When You're In" that starts with a dynamic drumming by Mason in an instrumental music with guitar as the lead, augmented with guitar work. The first two tracks sound like an integrated music.

"Burning Bridges" is a mellow track with a blues influence and catchy melody. The vocal line is very nice, accompanied with a nice organ as rhythm section. The guitar solo demonstrates blues influence. "Gold It's in the... " is in similar vein but performed in a happier mood.

Oh man .. the track "Wot's... Uh the Deal" was truly my childhood's favorite as it BLEW me away with its killing acoustic guitar and great vocal melody! It's still my favorite until now. This is what I call an all-time favorite. Great guitar, great vocals, and great piano! The harmony of vocal and acoustic guitar is superb!! This track can create tears in my eyes . so touching .it's killing ...

"Mudmen (Instrumental)" is another wonderful instrumental track with nice melody, stunning piano, organ and guitar solo. "Childhood's End" is another happy mood track with excellent composition. I love the guitar solo work. "Free Four" is a ballad with acoustic guitar as main rhythm section. "Stay" has an atmospheric guitar work at intro, followed with a medium tempo music and acoustic guitar plus piano & drums."Absolutely Curtains" is another instrumental music with some soundscape of traditional singing by native people, in Papua New Guinea. Keep on progging!

Yours progressively,

GW - Indonesia