MEDDLE

Every album that Pink Floyd made before Meddle supplied ample proof of their genius. But never had they succeeded in creating a fully focused masterpiece. That's what too much hallucinating drugs do to you. On Meddle they really got their act together. With Echoes they even created one of the most compelling masterpieces of rock music.

Not everything here is as astonishing as Echoes of course. But still it makes up a consistent album that goes through many different styles. One of These Days does not need an introduction here; it's an archetypical space-rock drone and one of the best ever. A Pillow of Winds is a beautiful melancholic piece from Gilmour, very subtle and understated. His gentle picking around minute 2.00 has served as a blueprint for many future generations: Porcupine Tree, Anathema, Tiamat, Radiohead and so many more have found their inspiration in this soft and textured approach.

Next on is a batch of 3 songs that are often disregarded. I think that Fearless is a very nice blues number though, it evolves into some kind a soccer anthem. It's a style they would revisit on The Wall. San Tropez is slightly out of place. Roger Waters does something in the psychedelic rock style of 4-5 years earlier. It's not bad but it would have fitted better on a Syd Barrett album. Seamus is a real fun blues though. Anyone who has seen the Pompeii video knows how they recorded that howling dog. It's a nice lighter touch that makes the majestic beauty of Echoes all the more overwhelming.

I think that this album contains the best music that Pink Floyd ever committed to tape. The five stars are entirely deserved by the strength of Echoes alone, but also the other tracks contain plenty of grace.