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Obscured by Clouds 1972
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Obscured by Clouds

The album Obscured by Clouds, released on June 3, 1972, marks an interesting moment in the career of Pink Floyd. Conceived as the soundtrack for the French film La Vallée, directed by Barbet Schroeder, this record departs from the style the band had been developing up to that point. Despite being a cinematic project, the album helped cement the band's success in the United States, just before the release of their masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon.

Year
1972
Songs
10
Duration
40 min 22 seg
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About the album

Obscured by Clouds, according to DoReSol

The recording took place over a mere two weeks at the Chateau d'Hérouville studios in France. This limited time allowed the band to experiment with various musical ideas and recording techniques, taking advantage of a 16-track studio. In this context, the first seeds of what would come in their next work can be noticed. Tracks like "Wot's... Uh, the Deal" reflect the personal growth of the members, who were beginning to change their perspective on the music industry. "Free Four", the album's only single, directly addresses the death of Roger Waters' father, Eric Fletcher Waters.

The title track, Obscured by Clouds, became a favorite to open their concerts, while "Childhood's End" was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's novel of the same name, though its lyrics bear little relation to the literary work. Additionally, the album features collaborations between Richard Wright and Waters, highlighting the legendary "Us & Them". The album's closing track, "Absolutely Curtains", includes choruses from the Mapuga tribe, adding a unique touch to the production.

The cover art depicts a scene from the film, capturing the visual essence of the work. Throughout their career, Pink Floyd would continue to explore new sonorities, and Obscured by Clouds stands as a bridge to the more ambitious and conceptual sound that would define their future.

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