Volume Two
Soft Machine · 1969
33 min · 17 tracks · progressive rock
A surreal blend of avant-garde structures and jazz-infused melodies, creating a dreamlike soundscape that defies conventional rock norms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hibou, Anemone and Bear — This track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse intricate musical compositions with whimsical storytelling, showcasing their unique sound and artistic vision.
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Dedicated to You but You Weren’t Listening — The song features a haunting melody paired with dissonant harmonies that evoke a sense of longing, illustrating the band's innovative approach to emotional expression.
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Orange Skin Food — This track stands out for its playful rhythm and experimental structure, highlighting the band's willingness to push boundaries within rock music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's avant-garde structures and jazz influences create a unique sound that stands out in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- The album features a non-linear structure with tracks that often blend into one another, creating a continuous flow rather than distinct separations.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- dynamic exploration of soundscapes
- short interludes and transitions
- immersive listening experience
- unconventional song structures
- wave-like pacing throughout
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 1, 1969, Volume Two marks Soft Machine's second studio album, following their self-titled debut. The band was transitioning from their early psychedelic influences toward a more complex jazz-rock fusion, solidifying their place within the Canterbury scene during this innovative period.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Can· King Crimson· Hatfield and the North
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Dedicated to You but You Weren’t Listening
The perspective shifts from an intimate address to a more abstract reflection on communication and connection.
By altering the perspective mid-song, it deepens the emotional impact and emphasizes themes of isolation and misunderstanding.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pataphysical Introduction, Part I 1:00
- 2 A Concise British Alphabet, Part I 0:09
- 3 Hibou, Anemone and Bear 5:59
- 4 A Concise British Alphabet, Part II 0:12
- 5 Hullo Der 0:54
- 6 Dada Was Here 3:25
- 7 Thank You Pierrot Lunaire 0:48
- 8 Have You Ever Bean Grean? 1:19
- 9 Pataphysical Introduction, Part II 0:51
- 10 Out of Tunes 2:34
- 11 As Long as He Lies Perfectly Still 2:34
- 12 Dedicated to You but You Weren’t Listening 2:32
- 13 Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging 1:50
- 14 Pig 2:09
- 15 Orange Skin Food 1:47
- 16 A Door Opens and Closes 1:09
- 17 10:30 Returns to the Bedroom 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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