Another Week Another Vinyl: Pink Floyd: Meddle
It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to make it over to my local record store. Between Christmas and various other occurrences, I just haven’t found the time or the will to shop for some vinyl. This weekend however, I was in the mood. I was excited to finally get back to the store to see if the selection had improved, and from the second I took a glance at the selection, my hopes were brought to life. I took a quick peek to see what albums were placed in front of the racks and right under the “B” section was David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. I picked it up and was all but ready to go without even looking at the rest of the selection. Based on my past shopping experiences, there was no way I could find anything better than Ziggy. My better judgement told me to keep on looking - once again hoping to find some King Crimson, but of course there was none to be found. Then I made my way over to the “P” section and sitting at the very front was a copy of The Wall, and right behind that was Meddle!
So what should I do? I have a copy of Ziggy in my hands and the most underrated (Meddle) and overrated (The Wall) Floyd albums bestowed in front of me. I dropped Ziggy and opted for the Floyd, and unlike my promise to myself, I would have to buy two albums this week, not one. What are the odds of those albums lasting the entire week? Too slim for me to take a chance on.
Without any hesitation I placed side two of Meddle on the turntable which contains “Echoes” and only “Echoes”. The song sounded as wonderful as always, but unlike my typical listens on the iPod and CD, the song was topped with some minor hissing and popping, but for some reason it only added to the grandness and bombast. One thing I’ve always wanted to do was to listen to “Echoes” on vinyl, and the prospect of that dream had finally come true.
So what should I do? I have a copy of Ziggy in my hands and the most underrated (Meddle) and overrated (The Wall) Floyd albums bestowed in front of me. I dropped Ziggy and opted for the Floyd, and unlike my promise to myself, I would have to buy two albums this week, not one. What are the odds of those albums lasting the entire week? Too slim for me to take a chance on.
Without any hesitation I placed side two of Meddle on the turntable which contains “Echoes” and only “Echoes”. The song sounded as wonderful as always, but unlike my typical listens on the iPod and CD, the song was topped with some minor hissing and popping, but for some reason it only added to the grandness and bombast. One thing I’ve always wanted to do was to listen to “Echoes” on vinyl, and the prospect of that dream had finally come true.
posted by Jeff at 1:23 PM
11 Comments:
Great album and I think not at all overrated. I especially like the attitude it shows with the different blend of musical styles. The Floyd was just warming up for their huge reception into forever.
Dan - When I was reffering to the most underrated and overrated Floyd albums, I meant Meddle was the most underrated and The Wall was the most overrated. Meddle doesn't get half the credit it deserves.
Dan - I edited the post to make sure that it was a little more clear. I would hate for anyone to think that I belive Meddle is overrated.
You are right about Meddle being underrated. I think this was more accessible music to the mainstream than previous albums. I had not really listend to their previous stuff but once I caught a listen of this I never turned back.
Things happen when they do for a reason and styles change. I think The Wall was more of a "see what we can do" and they ended up sounding like they were ready to break up and they did not too long after. I think there was some good stuff on The Wall but not as good as most people say. Thanks for the comments.
Dan - I couldn't agree more. I tend to bash The Wall because of all the credit it receives but it's still a fine album. There is a lot of great material on it, but I think in comparison to the many albums before it, it didn't match up.
I tend to disagree with you about The Wall. I think it's the "gateway" album for Floyd... Meaning it's more accessible than their previous albums (even if it's not as adventurous). Some may disagree but I think it's the best album to introduce non-listeners to Floyd with. It whets the appetite for the better material that PF recorded prior to it.
Might I recommend some vinyl to you... It's a double LP, The Sons of Champlin Loosen Up Naturally. It was originally released in 1969 on Capitol Records. They were a mainstay of Bill Graham's shows at the Fillmore back in the day.
Perplexio - I never really looked at it in terms of a gateway album, which is definitely an interesting take on it now that I think about it... My introduction to Floyd was Wish You Were Here, and I didn't really like it upon my first few listens. It wasn't until I got tried Dark Side that I started understanding their musical style and began to love it. The problem I would have with it being a gateway album, is it's very unlike their other albums, especially any album before Animals. The Wall almost sounds like a completely different band in comparison to their golden era (Meddle, Dark Side, and Wish You Were Here.) It's definitely a more accessible album than Meddle or Atom Heart Mother, but I don't think it truly represents the heart of Floyd.
However, I think The Wall is a great album, and if I were to review it, it would definitely get somewhere in the A or B range, but like most double albums and rock operas, there is a lot of songs that seem to be filler to progress the story.
Perplexio - By the way, I will definitely look out for that album! Thanks for the recommendation.
Nice one. Floyd sounds soooo good on vinyl, doncha think?
Daniel - Couldn't agree more.
Would love to get a copy of Meddle on vinyl. It has long been one of my top three floyd albums behind only dark side and wywh.
Post a Comment
<< Home