OBSCURED BY CLOUDS

One of the most underrated albums I know. Forget the fact that this was a film soundtrack: it stands completely on its own. This album was put together quickly; all I can say is: perhaps more albums should be put together quickly!

This is unmistakably PINK FLOYD, but with a slightly rougher edge to it than "Dark Side Of The Moon" (a slightly rougher edge that I happen to like very much). If you are a wine drinker, this album is a Shiraz whereas "Dark Side Of The Moon" is a Cabernet Sauvignon. To really enjoy this album, break open a bottle of the former, play the album loud on a good hi-fi and turn the lights down low. Great tunes, good lyrics, and fabulous instruments (including synth and PINK FLOYD's trademark guitar playing). It oozes class.

The instrumental title track starts like a tug boat coming out of the night and then the thump of drums, bass and synth gets into your bones as guitar kicks in. Great track.

'When You're In' is an even shorter instrumental with a simple melody, again with thumpy drum, bass and that twangy guitar over the top that is so effective.

'Burning Bridges' is a very laid-back song (think slowly rowing down a river). Some groovy, mellow guitar.

'The Gold It's In The...' rocks! It's a foot tapper with a good beat and some great guitar. The singing is a little bit strained but you'll probably be too busy playing air-guitar to notice.

'Wot's...Uh The Deal' is a soft, melodious ballad with a good tune to which I can't help humming: think lying by a log fire on a cold night.

The instrumental 'Mudmen' is sooo laid back, with a very slow tempo and some dreamy guitar. Dare I say it, this is music for making love.

The song 'Childhood's End' starts with organ, then a fast heart-pumping throb, and guitar then builds over it to create a foot tapper: good tune, good organ, good guitar. You'll probably be playing air-guitar to this one too.

The song 'Free Four' (say "one, two, three, four" in a London accent) is another foot tapper which vibrates into your bones. It has some good echoing guitar and the lyrics are interestingly black: "...life is a short warm moment, death is a long cold rest...".

'Stay' is another ballad that is very laid-back and is such a beautiful track. I would have said this is another track for making love, but the lyrics are about a one-night stand and might not go down too well with the lady! Very good lyrics though ("Stay, and help me to end the day, and if you don't mind we'll break a bottle of wine"; "Midnight blue, burning gold, a yellow moon is growing cold").

And so to the final track 'Absolutely Curtains', which is the only unusual track on the album: a laid-back instrumental with the film's New Guinea tribe singing towards the end of the track.

Do yourself a favour and buy this album.