What’s the big deal with Pink Floyd’s ‘Meddle’?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by thnkgreen, Mar 1, 2021.

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  1. thnkgreen

    thnkgreen Sprezzatura! Thread Starter

    Location:
    NC, USA
    I bought a used cd of Pink Floyd’s Meddle yesterday, listening to it over the course of the afternoon. I really enjoyed “One Of These Days” and “Echoes”, but the rest of the album... I consider Meh-dull. What am I missing here folks? What makes this one a classic? Just those two tracks?
     
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  2. Rfreeman

    Rfreeman Senior Member

    Location:
    Lawrenceville, NJ
    Those 2 tracks are 2/3 of the album.
    Really the only loser cut is Seamus.
     
  3. yesteryear

    yesteryear Wild Honey Laureate

    Location:
    Dallas, Texas
    Fearless is one of my favorite tunes by The Floyd Brothers.
     
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  4. yesteryear

    yesteryear Wild Honey Laureate

    Location:
    Dallas, Texas
    This made me laugh. Like as if "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" were the only good'n on Wish You Were Here.
     
  5. Galactus2

    Galactus2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Virginia
    You nailed it.

    I would say that Meddle might take some time to marinate with a listener. Some PF fans consider it a 'transitional' album.

    There was an interview with Gilmour at one time about Meddle, and he said something along the lines of, "I began to fall out of love with all that experimental noodling we were doing." Or something to that effect. I presume he was talking about Atom Heart Mother and some of the earlier stuff.
     
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  6. Stencil

    Stencil Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lockport, IL
    Its all classic, laid back, laying half dozing in a big sunny field Pink Floyd. For me the only song that doesn't seem to fit the album is "One of These Days". Maybe ive just heard it too much.
     
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  7. zither

    zither Lodger

    Location:
    UK
    San Tropez is a great song.
     
  8. Bassist

    Bassist Forum Resident

    Location:
    London
    Fearless is a great tune. Though I think it took hearing the Crowes do it for me to really appreciate the song.
     
  9. thnkgreen

    thnkgreen Sprezzatura! Thread Starter

    Location:
    NC, USA
    Thanks everyone, I’ll continue to listen to it. You know, sometimes an album takes a few plays before it really sticks.
     
  10. Kingsley Fats

    Kingsley Fats Forum Resident

    It is.
     
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  11. mcallister

    mcallister Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ohio
    I absolutely love Pillow of Winds
     
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  12. Crimson Witch

    Crimson Witch Roll across the floor thru the hole & out the door

    Location:
    Lower Michigan
    you are missing the original first UK pressing on vinyl, that's what !

    don't know if you have a decent turntable and rig, but if you ever get the opportunity . . . it's like you're hearing a different album entirely. prepare yourself to be blown away
     
  13. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    Personally I love Meddle and hold it on the same level as Moon, Wish, Animals and Wall.
    One of these days seems universally loved.
    Pillow of winds is an excellent track
    Fearless is one of my absolute favourite Floyd tracks
    San Tropez is some goofy fun
    Seamus cops a lot of flack, but I love it. Perhaps it was all those years as a stoner... that sadly had to come to an end, but I reckon it's great.
    Echoes is obviously the centerpiece and a masterpiece...

    But it all comes down to personal taste.
    There is a kind of relaxed, mellow vibe to the whole album that I like
     
  14. Muppet

    Muppet Brain the size of a Planet.

    Location:
    canada
    A Pillow Of Winds is a mighty fine tune too. My top faves in order are:
    1, Echoes
    2, Fearless
    3, A Pillow of Winds
    4, San Tropez
    5, OOTD’s ( if you have the LP try playing it at 45, you can hear Nick more or less normally speaking and it becomes the worlds first rave track, probably)
    6, Seamus
    the 5.1 version is excellent too if you’re lucky enough to have it.
     
  15. Man at C&A

    Man at C&A Senior Member

    Location:
    England
    The mid 70s pressings are amazing too. I regard mine (cut by Harry Moss) as one of the best sounding records in my collection. The 1994 CD I have sounds mediocre in comparison. Meddle is may favourite Floyd album along with Piper.
     
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  16. rebellovw

    rebellovw Forum Resident

    Location:
    hell
    I bought it as a kid in the 70's and hated it. As an adult I love it.
     
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  17. abzach

    abzach Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sweden
    One of these days and Echoes are the two best tracks but the rest is also good, Seamus is ok.
     
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  18. autumn daze

    autumn daze I really don't belong here

    Location:
    Milton Keynes, UK
    I mean, it could have half an hour of Nick Mason snoring on side A and side B solely consisting of Echoes and it’ll still be a 4-star album.
     
  19. DTK

    DTK Forum Resident

    Location:
    Europe
    I agree that the middle kind of drifts by without anything notable. Relaxing album.
     
  20. bRETT

    bRETT Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    I love Meddle because it's the most (only?) emotionally "up" album in the entire Floyd catalogue. The anthemic nature of "Fearless" may be slightly ironic, but only slightly. I even find the oft maligned "San Tropez" delightful.
     
  21. Trixmay 988

    Trixmay 988 Demere's Dreams

    Location:
    Perth, Australia
    What if it's Roger Waters snoring instead?
     
  22. Trixmay 988

    Trixmay 988 Demere's Dreams

    Location:
    Perth, Australia
    I used to like this album a lot more than I do nowadays. I never considered it anything close to a masterpiece and did prefer other Floyd albums, but I certainly enjoyed it a lot. Nowadays I find it very meh... even Echoes. Doesn't really do anything for me, but that just happens sometimes. One day my love for it will probably come back.
    Fearless is still pure gold, though. I think that's a superb song and it's always been one of my favourite Floyd songs.
     
  23. tug_of_war

    tug_of_war Unable to tolerate bass solos

    "A Pillow Of Winds" and "Fearless" have that bucolic and laid back side of Pink Floyd that I love so much. Both are beautiful songs imo.

    "San Tropez" is catchy and I love the arrangement. Rick's solo at the end is pure class.

    "Seamus" isn't anything to write home about but it doesn't bother me as it's less than two minutes long. I'd say it's an interesting way of finishing side one.

    And then there are "One Of These Days" and "Echoes" that are classics for a reason.

    I really love Meddle.
     
  24. Evethingandnothing

    Evethingandnothing Forum Resident

    Location:
    Devon
    Great album, one of their best.
     
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  25. The Dark Elf

    The Dark Elf Curmudgeonly Wordwraith

    Location:
    Michigan
    Fearless and Pillow of Winds are great tracks. I understand the negative feedback on San Tropez and Seamus, however.
     
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