Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Soft Machine - Volume Two. 1969 England


In a 2018 roundup I wrote the following: A very unusual album, in that there's about 16 minutes of brilliant music and a lot of downtime/incidental sounds. The fact that it ends on a high note I think leads to a higher rating / reputation, but a focused listen reveals a lot of gaps. I'm hardly trashing the album at an 11 - but I do feel I was also swayed by the strong ending as well. Side 1 in particular is pretty weak except for the monstrous 'Hibou, Anemone and Bear' which was a live staple for years. If wanting to hear this album in a more dynamic fashion, I would recommend the superb archival CD Noisette from Cuneiform.

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This listen confirms that sentiment. I think Volume Two has maxed out for me - not seeing how it goes to the first division. Too inconsistent, but the highs go way high here.


Ownership: 1969 Probe / ABC / Command. Gatefold. As noted recently, I bought this from a store (inside of a thrift shop) in Laramie, Wyoming (2022). Nicer than these stock photos, and no sticker on the back. Never owned on vinyl before. My first copy was a commodity CD that I first purchased in 1994 (yes, that late...)


1994; 12/20/18; 1/17/23 (LP 4.3); 3/28/23 (new entry)

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