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PINK FLOYD
(17 reviews sent in so far)

Wish You Were Here
by Darius Henry 
February 28, 2010
Rating:10.0

By the time Pink Floyd’s made Wish You Were Here, they were one of the biggest bands of the time, with the released of Dark Side of the Moon. DSOTM made have been Pink Floyd’s greatest achievement, but in my opinion, I always believe that this album was better than DSOTM. It’s a great concept album about their former lead singer, Syd Barrett,and their record company.

This album starts off with "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" (which actually spells out Syd without the O and the C). It’s actually a five parts song. The first part starts fading in with the synthesizer and many various of sounds. Plus a brief guitar solo. Then around 3:54 came in one of the four-greatest riffs of all time. It’s so freaking trippy, along with some more guitar solo. Then the third part came in around 6:29 with the synthesizer and the blusey guitar solo (all solos is played by Gilmour), and with distortion as well. Part 4 came in around 8:46, this time with vocals by Waters, singing about Syd. Of course, you have to love the vocals, along with the back-up singer. Then it went to Part 5 around 11:15. It’s the same riffs from Part 2, but this time, it’s with Sax solos to have that Jazzy feel. It’s hard to believe that these 5 parts are actually parts of one song. But I like to think of these parts as songs. Then the song went straight to “Welcome to the Machine”. This time, it’s about the music industry and how bad it is. It begins with all the industrial sounds, and then came the guitar and the music, with the synthesizer, of course. The music ends with more industrial sound and people laughing.

“Have a Cigar”, my favorite, is the most upbeat tune on here. It’s actually a Funk song. It’s also about the record company and how greedy they are. With guitar riffs like this and with the excellent guest lead vocals by Ron Harper (the same guy Led Zeppelin dedicated a song to on Led Zeppelin III), it’s song like this that make this album worth listening to. After the wonderful guitar solo, the song fades to some sort of AM-radio like. After some people are talking, the song went straight to “Wish You Were Here”, which still has that AM-radio like at the beginning. But after like 12-bars (that’s my guess), it went to this awesome riffs, along with some Acoustic guitar playing. Then came along the rest of the band. But I also always believe that this song can be dedicated to your love ones and the ones whom you miss the most. In Pink Floyd’s case, that person was Syd, none or less. The song fades with the wind right into the last 4 parts of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond". Part 6 will be played for the next 5 minutes. With great Bass playing, Guitar solos, the Drums, and of course, the Synthesizer (it seems like PF can’t live without the synthesizer), you won’t get bored at all. Then around 5:00, the next Part, Part 7, came in. The vocals came in for about another minutes. It’s basically the same thing as Part 4, but equals the excellent. Then around 6:05 comes Part 8. It’s the most upbeat parts in the entire SOYCD. It’s a cool Funk song, with some awesome guitars. The last part, Part 9, will be the final part and the final song in this entire album. It’s a slow, funeral song for Syd. The Organ is the main instrument on here. The song fades out and thus, the end of the album.

This is one of the rarest albums. I say that because only a few album can match the power of their previous released (not even Michael Jackson did that with Bad). Again, the album that I actually like better, and is just as good as DSOTM.


Wish You Were Here
By JT
August 20, 2003
Rating: 9.5

Pink Floyd's follow up to Dark Side of the Moon is nothing short of astounding. Not quite as good as Dark Side, but an amazing piece of music. This was really the last PINK FLOYD album before it became all about Roger Waters. Animals and The Wall were more like ego-trips for Waters, but this album includes contributions by everybody but Nick Mason, who would never contribute or co-write a song to the Floyd again, and after this album, Wright wouldn't contribute until the Division Bell.   But this is definitely Floyd at it's prime. "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" is an amazing piece of music, one of Roger Water's best vocals with Dave and Rick singing great backups. Dave's guitar really does shine on this song, but it's actually about Syd Barrett who left the band in 1968. Rick's synths are really incredible as well. This could go down as one of Rick's best keyboard work along with MEDDLE. "Welcome to the Machine" is probably the weakest link on the album, but still an incredible piece of music, this is actually BOTH Dave Gilmour (high vocal) and Roger Waters (low vocal) singing. The sythns once again come out. "Have a Cigar" is like "Money" in a couple ways, only very different tempo based. Roy Harper (whoever that is) sings on this song while the band backs him up. Once again, Gilmour's solo shows how cool a slow song can be. We then switch the radio through a couple channels until we get to "Wish You Were Here" which is a beautiful song. Gilmour's vocals are just so pure and moving. We then go back to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" which includes more guitar and keyboard work as well as the last vocal. If there is one problem with this album, it's that it doesn't have that big finish that Dark Side has. But still an amazing album. How I wish more songs were here. But this album still shines on.

To listen to some soundclips from Wish You Were Here or to purchase it, click on: Wish You Were Here - Buy.com or Wish You Were Here - CC Music

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
by Darius Henry
January 19, 2008
Rating: 10.0

Dark Side of the Moon is probably one of those albums that get stuck to your head right after you listen to it. I must admit it; I really didn’t get it at first. But after playing it non-stop, I can really see why many people worship this album. I can see why many people would say that this is the best album of all time. And I can see why this album sold over 15 millions copies in America. Though I felt that this is not the best album of all time, it’s definitely a must have album.

This album starts off with “Speak to Me/Breathe.” “Speak to Me” begins with a little heartbeat and helicopter, coins, laughing, and screaming to “Breathe.” It’s basically a little preview for this classic album. “Breathe” is a nice little song with Glamour’s guitar works. It sounds haunted. Anyway, in this song, the old man speaks to the baby and telling him what kind of life the baby will have in the future. Then it’s gone straight to “On The Run,” which is a great instrumental piece about traveling, without fading away. If you want to hear more of this great piece, go to Chicago Bulls game and you’ll hear it at the beginning. Anyway, at the end of the song, there was a huge explosion that will lead to “Time.” “Time” will really begin with like dozen of clocks chiming away. It’s great song about how time seems to pass you by so quickly, but many people don’t realize it until it’s too late. Then you get to this brief “Breathe (Reprise).” After that, it fades straight to “Great Gig in the Sky,” great song about death. It’s basically just Clare Torry just singing without actually saying anything. She’s basically screaming like if someone is having an orgasm. Still, it’s a great song.

“Money” is one of my favorites on this album. It’s a great upbeat song (the only upbeat song on this album) with an unusual 7/8 time signature. It’s catchy, too. Great song about how bad money really is. The irony is this album sold like 15 millions copies in America. Plus great sax solo. Then it went straight to the next tune, “Us and Them,” which basically about people who are different from others in certain subject. Like war, politics, & class. Good song, but not really my favorite. Then it went to the next song, “Any Colour You Like.” It’s an OK instrumental song that supposes to be like “Breathe” the instrumental. But it went to THE best song on this album, “Brain Damage.” It’s a great song about insanity. I heard that it’s about Syd Barnett, the ex-member of the band. It’s definitely one of my favorites on here. Then its ended with a bang with “Eclipse.” Great way to end this album. The song ended with a man says, “There’s no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it’s all dark.”

Great album and great concept about experience in human nature. Again, it’s not really the best album in the world, but it’s damn sure worth buying. So what are you waiting for? Buy this classic right now.


DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
By Harrison Russell
December 12, 2005
Rating: 10.0

The album is incredible! I am 14 and a huge Floyd fan. I have almost all the studio recordings and this one is got to be my favorite. The intro to this masterpiece 'Speak to Me' gives you a haunting overlook to the album with the heart beat effect and the Davids insane laughing and the only song written by Nick Mason in Pink Floyd history. The following 'Breathe' is a great song that ads a sort of spycidelia to the album. The next track 'On the Run' is an up tempo heart pounding chace scene. The synth effect is produced by a VC53 synthesizer made by the ingenious Rodger Waters. The next track 'Time' is a very powerful song. from the opening sequence with the roto toms to the end with 'Breathe reprise'.Then 'The Great Gig in the Sky' seems like a very peaceful song at first until Clare Torrys beautiful pipes bring in the soul her voice tells the story of the song without saying a single word. Not to mention Ricks piano work is incredible. 'Money', the following track does not seem to go with the rest of the album but is awesome none the less. I love the bass line! 'Us and Them' is a great song, one of my favorite Floyd songs (my favorite is 'Echoes' from "Meddle")the song is kind of sad in a powerful moving way. 'Any Coulor you Like' is a great instrumental - I really like the organ. The final two songs 'Brain Damage' and 'Eclipse' finish of the album 'Brain Damage' is another one of my favorite followed up by The great 'Eclipse' And fading away with a heart beat. I highly recommend this album, Buy it!!


DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
By RadioactiveMan585
October 29, 2005
Rating: 6.5

If I read one more review praising Dark Side as the best album ever made, I don't know what I'll do, but rest assured it won't be pleasant. Its first track, "Speak To Me/Breathe", can best be described as extremely annoying avant-garde weirdness. The same can be said about, "On the Run". "Time" actually isn't all that bad, but isn't all that good either. "The Great Gig In the Sky" is pretty much five minutes of moaning accompanied by a nice piano part. The moaning, however, gets on my nerves.
Next we have the classic "Money", which is quite a song I must say! But that's nothin' compared to my favorite song on the album, the dreamy "Us And Them". The next three tunes, "Any Colour You Like", "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse" fall into the annoying trippy psychadelia category.
The true "Best Albums Ever" are Abbey Road, Sticky Fingers, Bringing It All Back Home, Aqualung, Countdown to Ecstasy, and a lot more by 60's/70's bands.


DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
By JT
June 19, 2004
Rating: 10.0

What can be said about this album? Why was it on the charts for almost 13 years in a row? Why did it go back up to the number one spot a few years ago? Simple, it's one of the greatest albums ever made.
During Meddle, we had a sort of discovery and preview with the amazing "Echoes", an interconnected series of parts put together as one song. Dark Side also does this, but all the songs are put together as an artistic statement. Nick Mason's "Speak to Me" gives you an overture of tape loops and sounds of what's to come. "Breathe" begins our journey with Dave Gilmour's haunting guitar work and pedal steel. Gilmour and Rick Wright's vocals make you think of that weird wild album cover and you feel like your getting high. Wright's keyboards also really add to the music along with Rodger Water's bass. "On the Run" had started off as a cool guitar jam and is now a sampled synthesizer with vehicle noises. Really trippy! "Time" includes Mason's awesome percussion fills and Rick's amazing piano work before going into the awesome song. Gilmour's guitar solo shines on like a crazy diamond! The lyrics, well written by Rodger Waters really make you think about wasted human life. Then we reprise "Breathe" before going into the piano and slide introduction to "Great Gig in the Sky" with Clare Tori's haunting vocals. An amazing chord sequence written by Rick.
Then we count "Money" off with the tape loop and Waters' well written 7/4 bass and guitar line. Gilmour's vocals really get you into it and the lyrics are so richeous! Dick Perry's sax works great before we groove into 4/4 with Gilmour awesome guitar solos, then to the last verse and words of violence from Paul and Linda McCartney which leads into the beautiful organ of "Us and Them". The echo of Gilmour and Wright's vocals is truly moving as are the lyrics. Amazing piece of music. "Any Colour you Like" is extremely underrated. The transition and Wright's keyboards are a highlight of the album. Gilmour's guitar's are really dirty and diggin' it leading perfectly into the classic "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse" which are just pure classics sung by Waters himself. Makes you wonder if the human race really can get it! Get this album!

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
By Brian
February 9 2001
Rating: 10.0

What can I say about this album that hasn't been said before? I am 15, and I think this is the best album, ever. It stands the test of time, and it is better that anything else that is out today. I don't do drugs, so you can tell that I really appreciate it. Some of my favorites are; Eclipse, Money, Brain Damage, Any Colour You Like, and Time. Definitely a turning point in rock history, with all the effects, and the lyrics. This is one of the first true concept albums. So, overall, the greatest rock album of all time.

To listen to some soundclips from Dark Side of the Moon or to purchase it, click on: Dark Side Of The Moon (30th Anniversary)(Buy.com) or The Dark Side of the Moon [CC Music]

ANIMALS
By Rick
February 11, 2004
Rating: 10.0

Animals is the Pink Floyd album that firmly establishes Roger Waters as the creative genus of Floyd. Waters became the main Floyd after the departure of Syd Barrett, and continued to establish them in his own image over the years. After Dark Side and Wish You Were Here there was no doubt who's band it was. Animals is their most complex and intriguing album and it's almost entirely Rogers' with the exception of some Gilmour input on 'Dogs'. 'Dogs' was simply getting us ready for the Wall and The Final Cut. Instead of songs in the abstract Animals carefully laid out the reality of living in the 20th century. Without a doubt it, along with the Final Cut is the most misunderstood of all the Floyd albums.

To listen to some soundclips from Animals or to purchase it, click on: Animals

THE WALL
by Eliot
April 4, 2005
Rating: 9.5

This album is pure gold. From the heartbeat pulse in the background of "In the flesh?" To the quiet and peaceful clarinet and choir instrumentals in "Outside the wall", this album flows together to make a dark masterpiece. Sometimes when I listen to this, I want to curl up and die, and sometimes I want to jump up and start a fight. One thing that is for sure is that this album is very hard to appreciate at first. I used to only listen to the hit songs: "Another brick in the wall pt 2", "Hey you", "Comfortably Numb" and "Run like hell", but after you listen to the album all the way through three or four times, you really learn to feel every song all the way through. The best song, in my opinion, is "Goodbye blue sky", because the darkness of some sections mixed perfectly with light and happy backgrounds makes for a real mood swinger. Also in the movie, the cartoon animations are brilliant. All in all, this album has to be a brick in your wall of records.


The Wall
By Karsten
June 24,2004
Rating: 10.0

This is an incredible album, in fact if it wasn’t for Dark Side of the Moon it would be my favorite. The Wall is two hours long and tells a story of a rock star named Pink who imprisons himself in a “wall” that isolates him from the rest of the world. All in all it’s just another brick in the wall, the bricks are a metaphor for the bad things in his life that make him depressed and together they build a wall. Okay fine I’ll briefly explain the whole thing in case you didn’t understand parts of it assuming you tried to read the lyrics. The first bricks were caused by when his father died in World War II, notice the attack plane noise in “In the Flesh” In “The Thin Ice” Pink is still just a baby and now has no father. Other bricks were caused by the cruelty and abuse he endured from his teachers at school. His mother was very overprotective and he apparently ran away and became famous, got messed up dope and got married. Since he’s so depressing his wife leaves him; after all this the wall is complete when he sings “Goodbye Cruel World”. Now he has locked himself in some hotel room and is slipping into insanity. In “Comfortably Numb” (my favorite song of all time) he is rescued by paramedics or something because the first voice “Hello is there anybody in there?” is the doctor then Pink replies “There is no pain…I have become comfortably numb” because the doctor gave him something to get through the rest of the show “Just a little pinprick” The “In the Flesh” songs refer to Pink’s evil side in the movie he sings it as a Hitler figure brainwashing his audience. “Waiting for the Worms” refers to the Holocaust (notice the lines “Clean up this city, weed out the weaklings, turn on the showers and fire the ovens” showers were used to trick Jews into gas chambers in concentration camps, ovens to burn the dead), in the movie marching hammers come while Pink waits behind his wall. In “The Trial” he is tried (in his mind) for showing his feelings, all the “brick-laying” influences in his life all have a part in this piece his teacher, his mother, and his wife. You can tell who is who then the judge sentences him to “TEAR DOWN THE WALL!” Then with one final piece “Outside the Wall” and it’s done. The music is sensational, the lyrics are poetic, and the whole story is sad but can be related to in any state of depression in your own life. See the movie if you like the album. The Wall gets a well deserved 10.

The Wall
By lalithkrishnan
April 30, 2003
Rating: 9.5

The Wall is certainly musically inferior to Dark Side of the Moon or even 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' (not the album Wish you were Here though)- Yet it's Floyd's most influential album ever. The reason for Wall's success goes well beyond music. The Wall communicates an angst and exasperation that any human soul can link to. Drenched in pessimism it is a complete Roger Waters project with Gilmour stepping in for just a few guest appearances-'Young Lust', 'Run like hell', 'Another Brick in the Wall 2' and 'Comfortably Numb'. Strangely the above song list also doubles as the HITS from the album

What made the Wall click is the ambition in it to make a concept album that vents out all of the sickness within an abused frustrated rock star, while many might call it a prolonged whining session by a pretentious songster, 'Mother' or 'Comfortably Numb', will shake anyone and touch a tender nerve anytime thanks to their sheer lyricism. The Wall's finale trial is an over-ambitious project-made immortal by the animation in a highly otherwise forgettable feature film version! Yet, if you ever were an adolescent or is still one-trying to cope with the world around you like everyone else and trying to figure it all out-The  Wall is The MOST essential listen...Disturbing when you are young-soothing and mature as you grow up and look back at all the troubles you once understood that even Roger Waters faced with you!


The Wall
By Lee Foersterling
August 6, 2001
Rating: 9.5

The Wall is an amazing concept album which explores the crumbling life of a performer. The album explains a movie from which I can pick out exact parts of while listening to the album. It's a perfect blend of Broadway musical, psychedelic, and pure rock music that has a shock to it. 'Another Brick in the Wall' is an amazing three part song, which each part is totally different but closely tied in together. 'Dirty Girl' is a rock/blues song with an outlook at the disgusting sex life of rock artists. 'Hey You' is a psychedelic song that makes you question everything. 'Comfortably Numb' is a song that sends you on a trip without even having to leave your chair. 'Run Like Hell' is a synthesized rock song that gives you the chills. 'The Trial' is the musical finale to the album that depicts a trial which is well constructed and has an heavy impact ending. This album is great enough on its own, but my suggestion is that you enhance the album by watching the movie also.

To listen to some soundclips from THE WALL or to purchase it, click on: The Wall

Obscured by Clouds
By Zack Taylor
October 28, 2004
Rating: 9.0

Groping for direction in the post-Barrett era, Pink Floyd paid the bills by scoring movies. Ironically, these quickie projects rank among their finest early work, often serving as dry runs toward their eventual classic sound. The Floyd's third album, the soundtrack to the film More by French director Barbet Schroeder, improved on its predecessor by leaps and bounds. That their work for the disastrous Zabriskie Point was mostly suppressed by director Michelangelo Antonioni was no great loss (and some bits resurfaced gloriously on later albums).

By the time Schroeder came calling again in 1972, the Floyd already had a UK #1 with Atom Heart Mother. They had turned a significant musical corner with the mighty “Echoes,” and a mostly-complete Dark Side of the Moon was already part of their live act. But with fond memories of More, and the chance to spend two laid-back weeks in France recording and partying at the “Honky Château” d’Hierouville, they accepted the commission to score La Vallé. The result, released as Obscured by Clouds, is arguably the Floyd’s strongest non-hit album.

Dave Gilmour is clearly the star of this show. He leads the group through two atmospheric instrumentals that open the album (and their live shows through 1973). “Childhood’s End” features Dave’s most bone-crunching riff of all time, and the ethereal “The Gold It’s in the . . .” has a distinct “Wish You Were Here” vibe. Roger Waters’ “Free Four” offers the first taste of the world view soon to color all of the Floyd’s work: “You are the angel of death/And I am the dead man’s son.” Rick Wright knocks off two appealing pop ditties with some quite nice tickling of the ivories. But it was Gilmour’s stoned, spacey guitar workouts on “Mudmen” and “Absolutely Curtains” that defined perhaps the most appealing element of the whole Floyd formula: certainly more appealing than Roger's reminding us again, many albums later, that his father remains dead.

To listen to some soundclips from Obscured by Clouds or to purchase it, click on: Obscured By Clouds

ATOM HEART MOTHER
By Simon B.
June12, 2002
Rating: 9.0

Most casual listeners of Pink Floyd know nothing about their pre-Dark Side of The Moon history. (A side note: Atom Heart Mother was their first British #1 record!) As you know, Floyd was also famous for their covers. This one features a cow in a pasture looking at you.

The title track has got to be one of the finest examples of early symphonic rock there is. 23 minutes of pure psychadelic symphonic music (if you can imagine such a thing), with a blues jam in the middle, choir, and sound collage. With an excellent finale. (10) "Atom Heart Mother Suite" (23 minutes) took up all of side one.

Side two consists of three solo tracks, and one combined track. "If" is the next song. (4 minutes) If you know anything about the lyrics of Roger Waters you know that he creates 'list' songs. If you are experienced with his lyrics, you'll know exactly what I mean. This is one of his best acoustic numbers. Song number 3 is "Summer '68" (5 minutes) by Rick Wright. It has horns (yes, horns) in it. It took a while for me to like it, but I do. The next song is "Fat Old Sun" (6 minutes) by David Gilmour. This has got to be one of the most beautiful songs on this album, or any album of Pink Floyd's. The lyrics just take me into a world where it's always summer, and always evening, with the last rays of light touching the sky, with your loved one by your side, etc. Great guitar solo. The last song ("Alan's Psychadelic Breakfast") is 13 minutes of three short instrumentals, with a recording of one of Pink Floyd's roadies having breakfast and talking, ending with a dripping tap. The early UK pressings had the tap drip go on into the run-out groove, where it would 'drip' forever until someone took the needle off the record.

Overall a great early record of Pink Floyd!! Get it, if you're a casual floyd fan wanting to dip into some of their earlier stuff, or if you're a pre-Dark Side fan who doesn't own this album yet. Get it!!!

To listen to some soundclips from ATOM HEART MOTHER or to purchase it, click on: Atom Heart Mother

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
By guerillaman
March 18, 2004
Rating: 8.5

Well here is where it all began for Floyd. Probably one of the most interesting debut albums ever led by one of the weirdest frontmen ever. This is a critically acclaimed album but if you're looking to pick up your first Pink Floyd CD this is not the place you want to start. I Would Start off with Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall cause this is a way different Floyd filled with daydreamish singalongs and longer acid symphonies. This album is pretty amazing chemically assisted to. 'Astronomy Domine' sets off the album with a space rock fairly dark riff which tells you this is not going to be something you've heard before. Other highlights on the album are 'Matilda Mother', and the acid-ish freakout 'Instellar Overdrive' which is definitely not for everyone but definitely unique. But this album basically took the Beatles precedent from Sgt. Peppers and took it to a completely different level, its a must have for avid Floyd fans but its definitely not for those with an open mind or just like "WE DON'T NEED NO EDUCATION."

To listen to some sound clips from The Piper at the Gates of Dawn or to buy it, click: Piper At The Gates of Dawn [40th Anniversary Edition]

A Saucerful of Secrets
By Zack Taylor
January 26, 2005
Rating: 7.5

The story of Syd Barrett's meteoric rise to fame and subsequent breakdown has often been told. The upshot was that the remaining three members of Pink Floyd, plus a wary David Gilmour, were left to carry on without the band’s creative and visual focus. Frankly out of necessity due to the dearth of material to play without reverting to covers, the band slowed the frenetic pace of their live sets and elongated the numbers behind Rick Wright’s droning, churchy organ and Gilmour’s affinity for coaxing weird sounds out of his Strat.

Despite Syd sometimes sitting in the studio waiting room haplessly holding his guitar, the Floyd weren't looking back, and employed the new stage sound as a template for their second record. Two songs were already in the can:  Wright's "Remember a Day" was an outtake from the first album; Barrett's truly psychotic "Jug Band Blues" was included not to burn the bridge to his legions of fans just yet.  The title track "A Saucerful of Secrets," an electronic piece inadvertently reminiscent of the "serious" electronic composers of the 50s, utilized the band's architectural backgrounds to assemble a suite ranging from a calm drone; a drum loop develops into instrumental cacophony, then back to calm and wordless singing.   Barely listenable, this track got much more interesting on stage over the years.

Other tracks hinted at the compositional potential of Roger Waters. "Let There Be More Light" was a tunely ditty played to the Floyd's supposed (and mostly false) affinity with space; "Corporal Clegg" introduced Roger’s fascination with war, this time waggishly chronicling life for father had come home rather than expiring on the battlefield.  The working title for Wright's "See Saw" was "The Most Boring Song Ever, Bar Two" and rightly so. The clear highlight of the record was Waters' ethereal "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," which despite having its whispered lyrics copped directly from the I Ching pointed the way to superstardom for Pink Floyd. This is not a classic record, but an interesting look at how the band stayed on its feet against all odds after Barrett’s exit.

 To listen to some sound clips from A Saucerful of Secrets or to buy it, click: A Saucerful of Secrets

MEDDLE
By JT
April 21, 2005
Rating: 9.5

In 1971, Pink Floyd made a massive transition into the album MEDDLE. The Floyd had a achieved their first #1 album with ATOM HEART MOTHER which included the 25 minute epic instrumental title track, and 4 original songs written by each member of the band. The Floyd continued and created this fantastic album.
The first half of the album consists of 5 songs written mostly by David Gilmour. However, “One of these Days” is the best of these tracks. Roger Waters’ echoing bass line leads the charge with Rick Wright’s sonic keyboard experimentation and Nick Mason’s drum flourishes. Gilmour’s incendiary slide solo gets the album rocking right away before the wind comes back up and we hear the rest. Gilmour’s compositions are great too with a little help from Waters in the lyrics. “A Pillow of Winds” is especially beautiful as are the lyrics. “Fearless” has a good riff. Waters’ jazzy “San Tropez” is a pretty good song but it seems to be missing something. Rick Wright plays his first piano solo on this track and does a fine job. “Seamus” is just an acoustic blues, nothing special there.
Now the second half is one 23 minute song called “Echoes,” probably the Floyd’s greatest song ever. It follows the structure of “Atom Heart Mother” but takes it one step forward. It is based mostly on Rick Wright’s chord sequence and melody. The first ping from Wright’s piano through a Leslie lets you know what you’re up against. Both Gilmour and Wright sing so perfectly together that Waters’ voice is off key and weak by comparison. But still, his lyrics on this song are among some of his best: Gilmour continues to offer some fine guitar work when the song develops into a funky jam with Gilmour and Wright exchanging licks and Mason and Waters holding down the beat. Then they blow your mind again with strange echoing noises like wind from Waters’ bass and whale sounds from Gilmour’s slide. And then we bring the music back up with Wright’s beautiful organ work before coming back into the last verse and a climax. One of Pink Floyd’s masterpieces.
You can definitely see from this album the direction Pink Floyd was moving in. Echoes set the stage for DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. There could have been some more strong songs on the first side like there are on OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, but this album should not be overlooked

To listen to some sound clips from MEDDLE or to buy it, click: Meddle