Soft Machine - Fourth (1971)

Guybrush · 01-10-2011, 04:53 AM

This thread is for discussing the album Fourth by the Canterbury band Soft Machine. It was 2011's first homework album in the prog & fusion album club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

Soft Machine - Fourth (1971)

One of the original Canterbury bands and quite influential in the realm of jazz music in general, the Softs were a prodigious outfit that changed members quite often throughout the 70's, but were most well known in the earliest part of the decade for the talents of bassist Hugh Hopper, organist Mike Ratledge and drummer Robert Wyatt (who occasionally sang, but not often). Fourth was the last of the Softs' albums where this lineup was still intact, as well as being the final album featuring Wyatt. Not going to mince words, but there's a hell of a lot to like here, and it's as great a place as any to start for those who A. Don't know much about these guys or B. If you have even the most rudimentary interest in top class proggy jazz. Recommended!

So, whatcha think?

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 01-10-2011, 06:21 AM

Been wanting to but sadly, never been able to get my hands on it. If it's anything like 2, and 3 though, then I'm in.

Anyone know of anywhere I can get this album?

Anteater · 01-10-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skaligojurah

Been wanting to but sadly, never been able to get my hands on it. If it's anything like 2, and 3 though, then I'm in.

Anyone know of anywhere I can get this album?

Check your PM box comrade.

Guybrush · 01-10-2011, 09:23 AM

This became my favourite Soft Machine album after the first listen

Before this one, I was mostly familiar with Third. Something that bugged me with Third was the low production quality. I hope it's not just my copy, but it sounds like they've put woolen socks over the mics. The production on Fourth is a lot better sounding in my opinion. The album was immediately catchy and attention grabbing right from the start (teeth). For me, I think this might just be the perfect entry-album into Soft Machine. Perhaps I should've attempted this one before tackling Third.

Very good!

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 01-10-2011, 12:08 PM

I personally really liked this. Apparently Soft Machine decided to go even jazzier from Third with this one. Which is a good thing, but also it's biggest flaw. I liked it a lot but it lacks a lot of the really distinguishing characteristics that the earlier albums(Namely Soft Machine II) had. However, with that said, this is the only real flaw, and it's a damn good album none-the-less.

I especially liked the extended final track. Albeit not traditionally a Jazz band I feel Soft Machine puts out what is a damn fantastic jazz album that might not be up to the very best efforts of say, Miles Davis, but generally comparable to some of the works of most of even the better jazz masters.

Only thing that notches this away from being perfect is the fact it lacks the distinctiveness of other earlier Soft Machine works.

Guybrush · 01-10-2011, 12:10 PM

And Mike Ratledge just looks so cool on the album cover

Mrd00d · 01-11-2011, 06:25 AM

I am going to have to give an explanation for my mediocre vote, pun intended. But not at the moment. Pardon me.

But in short, it didn't grab me as it seemed to for you folks. I'll be back...

thomasracer56 · 01-12-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

This became my favourite Soft Machine album after the first listen

Before this one, I was mostly familiar with Third. Something that bugged me with Third was the low production quality. I hope it's not just my copy, but it sounds like they've put woolen socks over the mics. The production on Fourth is a lot better sounding in my opinion. The album was immediately catchy and attention grabbing right from the start (teeth). For me, I think this might just be the perfect entry-album into Soft Machine. Perhaps I should've attempted this one before tackling Third.

Very good!

This is actually the first time I listened to Soft Machine, when I read this part, I thought that this was absolutely right. Therefore, I know what to do now.

Before I tackle this, what's your opinion on the first album?

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 01-12-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasracer56

This is actually the first time I listened to Soft Machine, when I read this part, I thought that this was absolutely right. Therefore, I know what to do now.

Before I tackle this, what's your opinion on the first album?

First album is good, their second is incredible.

thomasracer56 · 01-12-2011, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to listen in!

View Poll Results: How would you rank the album?
Horrible!	0	0%
Bad	0	0%
Mediocre	1	12.50%
Good	1	12.50%
Very good	5	62.50%
Brilliant!	1	12.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

01-10-2011, 09:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	This became my favourite Soft Machine album after the first listen Before this one, I was mostly familiar with Third. Something that bugged me with Third was the low production quality. I hope it's not just my copy, but it sounds like they've put woolen socks over the mics. The production on Fourth is a lot better sounding in my opinion. The album was immediately catchy and attention grabbing right from the start (teeth). For me, I think this might just be the perfect entry-album into Soft Machine. Perhaps I should've attempted this one before tackling Third. Very good! __________________ Something Completely Different

01-10-2011, 12:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	And Mike Ratledge just looks so cool on the album cover __________________ Something Completely Different

01-11-2011, 06:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	I am going to have to give an explanation for my mediocre vote, pun intended. But not at the moment. Pardon me. But in short, it didn't grab me as it seemed to for you folks. I'll be back... __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

01-10-2011, 06:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Been wanting to but sadly, never been able to get my hands on it. If it's anything like 2, and 3 though, then I'm in. Anyone know of anywhere I can get this album?

01-10-2011, 12:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	I personally really liked this. Apparently Soft Machine decided to go even jazzier from Third with this one. Which is a good thing, but also it's biggest flaw. I liked it a lot but it lacks a lot of the really distinguishing characteristics that the earlier albums(Namely Soft Machine II) had. However, with that said, this is the only real flaw, and it's a damn good album none-the-less. I especially liked the extended final track. Albeit not traditionally a Jazz band I feel Soft Machine puts out what is a damn fantastic jazz album that might not be up to the very best efforts of say, Miles Davis, but generally comparable to some of the works of most of even the better jazz masters. Only thing that notches this away from being perfect is the fact it lacks the distinctiveness of other earlier Soft Machine works.

01-12-2011, 05:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
thomasracer56 Still Crazy Nutso! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California, USA Posts: 148	Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to listen in!