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Meddle 1971
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Meddle

The album Meddle by Pink Floyd, released on November 5, 1971, stands at a crucial moment in the band's evolution. During its recording, which spanned from January to August of that same year, the band experimented with an unconventional approach, seeking a sound they had not yet defined. They recorded in several London studios, including EMI Studios and Morgan Studios, using borrowed equipment and adapting to the technological limitations of the time. This led them to create a work that, though lacking a clear central theme, gave rise to their iconic song "Echoes," which occupies the entire side B of the album.

Year
1971
Songs
6
Duration
46 min 25 seg
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About the album

Meddle, according to DoReSol

The recording of Meddle was a collaborative process where each band member contributed ideas and experiments. A notable exercise involved each member recording on separate tracks without hearing what the others were doing, resulting in a mix of random sounds. Although this method did not initially produce many complete songs, it laid the groundwork for the development of their progressive style. "One of These Days," for example, is characterized by its spoken phrase and enveloping atmosphere, while "Seamus" stands out for its connection to cinema, as it was used in the film Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

Despite Meddle being well-received by critics and achieving notable success in the United Kingdom, its release in the United States was less impactful due to the record label's limited promotion. However, over time, the album reached double platinum status, reflecting the growing popularity of Pink Floyd. The cover, designed by Hipgnosis, features an ear submerged in water, a concept that, though not fully satisfying its creator, has become part of the band's visual identity. This album is considered a bridge between the era of Syd Barrett and Roger Waters' leadership, marking a significant step in their musical journey.

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