MORE (OST)

A few years before Pink Floyd smashed-open the big time with their hit 1972 album 'Dark Side Of The Moon', the British four-piece could be found writing and composing intriguingly free-form psychedelic pop tunes for a number of edgy European films such as this clumsy-yet-stylish taboo-baiting euro-drama about a couple of aimless junkies lording it up on the beautiful Spanish isle of Ibiza. Directed by Franco-Swiss film-maker Barbet Schroeder(who would go on to enjoy Hollywood success with the 1991 Bridget Fonda thriller 'Single White Female'), 'More' seems quaintly outmoded when compared with today's salacious drug drama's, it's 1960s outlook a relic from a bygone era. It by no means a bad film, but there is no denying that it's main point of interest these days is the original Pink Floyd score that accompanies many of the more indulgent scenes of sex and drug-taking. As an album, 'More' is surprisingly good. It's also very unlike the rest of Pink Floyd's discography, with a rambling, psychedelic and gently- acoustic vibe sprinkled with washes of ethereal keyboards and sitar-style guitars. Of the group's three soundtrack albums it is far and away the strongest, with Gilmour no longer the Barrett-replacing imposter but one of the main creative forces driving the group along. Fans of the groups classic 1970s output('Meddle', 'Dark Side', 'Wish You Were Here', 'Animals' and 'The Wall') may find it all a bit soft, but there is no denying the quiet, almost mystical power tracks such as 'Cymbaline', 'Cirrus Song' and 'Quicksilver' lend to the film's beautiful scenery. This is Pink Floyd in mellow, relaxed mood, still wrapped up in the musical sounds of the 1960s but just as relevant as their later incarnation. Unless you like you rock 'Vanilla Fudge'-hard, 'More's psychedelic vibe should satisfy all those curious enough to discover the many joys on offer. STEFAN TURNER, LONDON, 2011