VOLUME TWO

The Soft Machine

Canterbury Scene

4.03 | 603 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

For lots of reviewers, this sophomore � Soft Machine � is a logical continuation of the music developed on their debut. I have to say that I don't endorse this conclusion.

First of all, Kevin Ayers has left the band. Second, the lineup is almost cut by half in comparison. BUT: this album is at least somewhat oriented towards the Canterbury style (much more than its predecessor ("Hibou, Anemone and Bear") and fully deserves its inclusion under this category.

To tell the truth, this is their only album related to the genre (as far as I am concerned). And third: the great psychedelic substance of the debut is almost gone. All these items are leading me to next consideration: this is a rather average work.

What I don't like at all (or understand) is the dramatically short numbers that are featured on this album: figure out! Seventeen songs for a mere thirty three minutes! You do the math but fourteen songs clock at less or equal to 2'30"!

The freshness and innovation mood of their debut is quite alien here. Some fine jazzy feel for the second true song (the sixth one actually available) from this offering. I have known better. My gut feeling is that several tracks are just pure improvisation and that the band must have been quite under "substances" to have performed this.

What I want to say with this is that some of these songs are quite difficult to appreciate. Each of these very short pieces does not make a lot of sense as far as I am concerned. Sorry Antoine. You were the one that raised my interest in this band and since this time of the year reminds me very of you (my French friend) I decided to post my reviews about one of your most beloved band. But we differ in taste as you often mailed to me. So, it is.

Experimental and noisy is what I will retain from this musical experience. The psychedelic adventure is also behind. What's left is an average album which I rate with two stars. Sorry Febus: this is how I feel.

ZowieZiggy | 2/5 | 2010-11-29

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