What makes Six by Soft Machine notable?

Six received critical acclaim for its ambitious compositions and technical proficiency, which solidified Soft Machine's reputation within the Canterbury scene. The album's unique blend of genres influenced subsequent artists and helped shape the progressive rock landscape of the early 1970s. Released in February 1973, Six marked Soft Machine's sixth studio album during a transitional phase following the departure of key members. This period saw the band evolving their sound from their early psychedelic roots towards more avant-garde and jazz-oriented explorations, establishing themselves as pioneers in the progressive rock scene.

Six works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, intricate sound for deep listening and dynamic exploration of themes.

How many songs are on Six?

Six has 15 tracks, running approximately 76 minutes.

Six

Soft Machine · 1973

76 min · 15 tracks · progressive rock

A complex tapestry of jazz-infused rock interwoven with intricate melodies and experimental structures, showcasing the band's innovative spirit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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All White — This track exemplifies the album's adventurous spirit, featuring a dynamic interplay between instruments and a fluid structure that challenges traditional song forms.
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37 ½ — A standout piece that showcases the band's ability to fuse intricate rhythms with melodic improvisation, representing the zenith of their experimental phase.
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The Soft Weed Factor — This lengthy composition encapsulates the album's essence through its shifting time signatures and rich textures, highlighting the band's jazz influences and compositional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album's complex structures and genre-blending sound mark it as a significant entry in progressive rock.

What we noticed

The use of unconventional song structures is prevalent, with many pieces lacking traditional verse-chorus forms.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with peaks
intricate sound for deep listening
dynamic exploration of themes
engaging transitions between tracks

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in February 1973, Six marked Soft Machine's sixth studio album during a transitional phase following the departure of key members. This period saw the band evolving their sound from their early psychedelic roots towards more avant-garde and jazz-oriented explorations, establishing themselves as pioneers in the progressive rock scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Can· King Crimson· Hatfield and the North

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Fanfare 0:43
2 All White 4:47
3 Between 2:24
4 Riff 4:32
5 37 ½ 6:51
6 Gesolreut 6:14
7 E.P.V. 2:46
8 Lefty 5:00
9 Stumble 1:36
10 5 From 13 (For Phil Seamen With Love & Thanks) 5:18
11 Riff II 1:23
12 The Soft Weed Factor 11:12
13 Stanley Stamps Gibbon Album (For B.O.) 5:56
14 Chloe and the Pirates 9:26
15 1983 7:55

What to play next

Listen next

Seven

1973

Go back to

Fifth

1972

Full Soft Machine discography Artists like Soft Machine

jazz rock progressive rock psychedelic rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata