Meddle | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 5 November 1971 | |||
Recorded | 4 January – 11 September 1971[1] | |||
Studio | AIR, EMI, and Morgan, London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 46:47 | |||
Label | Harvest | |||
Producer | Pink Floyd | |||
Pink Floyd chronology | ||||
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Singles from Meddle | ||||
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Meddle is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released by Harvest Records on 5 November 1971 in the United Kingdom.[3] The album was produced between the band's touring commitments, from January to August 1971 at a series of locations around London, including EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) and Morgan Studios.
With no material to work with and no clear idea of the album's direction, the band devised a series of novel experiments which eventually inspired the album's signature track "Echoes". Although the band's later albums would be unified by a central theme chosen by Roger Waters, and thematically consistent lyrics written entirely by Waters, Meddle was a group effort with Waters contributing primarily to the lyrics and the bass. It is considered a transitional album between the Syd Barrett-influenced group of the 1960s and the Waters-led era of the 1970s.[4] Fans often refer to this album, especially Echoes, as the first instance of the group achieving their musical potential.
As with several previous albums, the cover was designed by Hipgnosis, and has been explained by its creator Storm Thorgerson – who was unhappy with the final result – to be an ear underwater. The album was well received by critics upon its release, and was commercially successful in the United Kingdom, but lacklustre publicity on the part of the band's American label Capitol Records led to poor sales in the US upon initial release.