Pink Floyd - A Saucerful of Secrets

A Saucerful of Secrets is an uneven album that could glibly be called Pink Floyd's sophomore jinx, though it's a bit more complicated than that. The problems behind the band's second outing can be summed up in two words: Syd Barrett. Or rather, the absence thereof. The creative force behind Floyd's first distinctively baroque collection is credited with just one track here ("Jugband Blues") and the occasion marked the beginning of his decades-long withdrawal from public life, battles with mental illness, and burgeoning cult legend. What's left is essentially the first album by the "classic" Floyd lineup, though they're understandably a long way from their focused 1970s prime (as witnessed by the 11-minute title track); the dense sound and effects collages that are mere seasoning on later Floyd records are too often the whole point here. Roger Waters barely hints at his later glories on "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," a would-be stellar journey that's ultimately rather pedestrian. An album that seems alternately driven by a genuine experimental spirit one moment and creative panic the next. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

A bottom up (not top down) review

This review is in stark contrast with the way many are reviewing the album. Unlike the vast majority, I did not first hear and become familiar with Dark Side or any of the later Pink Floyd material before approaching this album. Neither did I become a fan of the later or more popular material and then judge this album according to how well it held up to my like of that later material. And I could have cared less before buying this CD about the band's dealing with Syd and what his parting meant in terms of the group's dynamic in pushing forward with the next album.

I heard about the band from a friend who thought it would appeal to my musical tastes, which included an almost obsessive love of dark ambient of the likes of Cold Meat Industry bands, Coil, Lustmord, etc, and atmospheric music, as well as a love for the British invasion bands and pop/psychedelic rock of `60s--particularly The Zombie's Odessey and Oracle, the Beatle's Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine--along with Pet Sounds, Smile, some Bee Gees, Yardbirds, etc, and an interest in old folk tunes and experimental music in general. So my friend suggested Piper at the Gates of Dawn. After hearing clips for Piper here on Amazon, I purchased that CD and became very familiar with that as my only real experience with the music of Pink Floyd.

Having fallen in love with Piper, I knew I had to hear more from PF. I purchased Saucerful of Secrets and have given it a very long run. Overall, I am deeply impressed. Let There Be Light is absolutely amazing both in terms of its pop sensibility and its art. Remember A Day is just a beautiful and great song to listen to. Set the Controls, which seems to be everyone's rave song, I found to be somewhat banal and uninteresting. I do not think the artistry or impact of the song is in any way significant or influential. I wish the vocals were not so repressed and I wish the music did something...somewhere... It is slowly wearing on me, but it will never be a track that I can turn to as any kind of strength or interest for the band. Corporal Clegg is a great song in the vein of the Brit invasion pop/psychedelic `60s stuff I love. The influence from and appeal to Sgt. Pepper is obvious and very welcome. The title track Saucerful is absolutely incredible--a masterpiece of ambient and psychedelic with a hint of darkness to it and a celestial ending. This track alone makes the CD a worthwhile purchase for someone like myself. It truly makes up for the low point. Speaking of which, See-saw was the only real flop. It goes nowhere and is only interesting insofar as it breaks down into a completely different sound at certain points. The ending by Syd, Jugband Blues, is incredible. It was great to see the same style and creative talent that was the main motivation in Piper round off and conclude the CD. All the reviews that seem try to find psychological meaning in the lyrics or makeup of the song are really missing the entire point--Syd was a Surrealist and the song is surrealism. The meaning is not in the lyrics or in the structure of the song, but in the destruction and absurdity of lyrical meaning and song structure. It is obvious that the rest of the band isn't (at least quite yet) making Surrealism music, but they still do an amazing job playing with the sound and creating very interesting and intelligent music. I am eager to check out Ummagumma and Atom Heart Mother to see how they progress.

Perhaps the one thing I really wanted to know, which was very difficult to sift out from the reviews on Amazon, was what the sound quality was like, whether it was mono or stereo, and if there were other versions that would sound better and how and why the sound was better. Fortunately, I had a friend who had done a lot of research before me and told me about the virtually non-distorted and crystal clear quality of the sound from the CDs on the Shine On box set. Now having listened to the CD from that box set, I am thankful at least someone knew what information was important to have and I pass that valuable info on to you: unless you're willing to lay out giant sums of money for the "gold disc" or MFSL versions, get this CD from the Shine On box set version because the sound quality is absolutely incredible and this music deserves to be heard this good. December 19, 2008

Progressive rock

Pink Floyd evolved to a super group over the years, but I love to go back to the early years. They were way ahead of their time. I remember when I was first introduced to Pink Floyd in Spring 1968, when I saw a video of "Let There Be More Light" on TV. That got my attention, and I've been a fan ever since. October 3, 2008

do you know what distraughts me

Syd Barrett literally went sick in a six month period march67-aug67...SIX MONTH PERIOD...That messed him for the next 28 years till he died. And his band become the most popular band in the whole world. Did Syd know this. He died very well off. Dave Gilmour owed him enough.
It took me 20 years before I got to my vegetable man state. September 29, 2008

a classic period piece

It's important to keep in perspective when albums are released and the culture from which they arise. Reviewers who knock this album as being uneven -especially when compared to their later work- are missing the point.

This music was of it's time and very inspiring to the young music enthusiast of the late 60's. I would still rate the title track, "A Saucerful of Secrets" as one of the most psychedelic songs of all time. "Let There be More Light" is wonderful if for nothing else than the opening base line by Roger; but it also has that soaring Gilmore vocal line on the hook, and of course the spacey ending. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun will always be a classic Floyd song from the early daze. Corporal Clegg was actually an underground FM radio favorite back then in my hometown (Kansas City), and while it was never my favorite, it definitely has it's own charm- an early Water's composition.

The post Syd band was experimenting with sound and atmosphere, and more often than not, they succeeded. This is a classic album from this period and a must for any self respecting Floyd-O-Phile. Recommended for any fan of late 60's psychedelic/ underground art rock.

September 24, 2008

Remember the Day

I read today that Richard Wright has passed away. Fare thee well, musician soul.

I always thought that his "Remember a Day" was one of Pink Floyd's most haunting songs:

Remember a day before today
A day when you were young.
Free to play alone with time
Evening never comes.

Sing a song that can't be sung
Without the morning's kiss
Queen you shall be it if you wish
Look for your king .

Why can't we play today...
Why can't we stay that way...

Climb your favorite apple tree
Try to catch the sun
Hide from your little brother's gun
Dream yourself away.

Why can't we reach the sun...
Why can't we blow the years away...

With deeply evocative singing, amongst a waxenly-flowing jazz-tinged deep-space sound, these lyrics reach toward musical transcendence.

Thank you for this special song, Mr. Wright. It is, to my ears, enduring Art.
September 16, 2008

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