Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

A few years back, it was rumored that this album was inspired by The Wizard of Oz. I agree that this album does seem to kill the boredom of the film, but I have to wonder if the theorist was not on LSD, or having a flashback! The album seems to end as the movie continues for over an hour longer.

I once played a Rolling Stones album with an evening of muted TV viewing. The songs made the viewoing more pleasant, emotional and at times funny. I don't think Rodney Dangerfield inspired The Stones!

I first encountered the 'play the album to what you're watching' many years ago. As children, we watched home movies on those super 8 reels that had no sound. If you played an album(for God's sake even 'I want to hold your hand'), it would at times seem like the film is running along with the song.

I'm going to let you judge this for yourself. If you have The Wizard Of Oz, start Dark Side Of The Moon, after the Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer lion roars for the last time(I believe it roars 3 times, but I could be wrong.). Turn off the volume and you be the judge!

The members at the time were David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright. I think people will have to read for themselves about the missing member behind Floyd. See http://pinkfloydhyperbase.dk/who/b.htm. Syd Barrett(Roger Keith Barrett) played a role and influence on Pink Floyd overall.

This album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1973. Actually beween June 1972 and January 1973. It was produced by Pink Floyd, which may not mean much to some today, but is significant as far as Roger Waters is concerned. This ensures that Roger gets a cut whenever songs are used in concerts, or by other artists. Currently Guns and Roses and VanHalen are seeing it's effect!

Storm Thorgerson who designed the original prism in a black background, came back to design the 30th anniversary release artwork on cover and sleeves.

Keep in mind that the album came out at the height of drug use, and reguardless what one's moral views are, you do see a drug influence throughout this classic. Since Rock was evolving in a variety of genres, many hard to define, Floyd was categorized as 'Acid Rock', or rock to trip to.

When one experiences Pink for the first time, or listens to their albums, they often wonder if the album is missing a song. Floyd seems to have a trademark on songs that last less, or a bit more, than a minute, or two! Sometimes it appears to be an introduction or a lead in to a song, or even part of a song. Speak To Me is one of these songs where all you hear is a building up of what is to come. It climaxes to vocals that seem to yell and quickly turns to Breathe. This then leads to On The Run that gives the impression of being on a train or subway as they pass the stations. This is mostly an instrumental piece with Pink's weird and trippy sounds in the background. The first three songs total 7 minutes and 32 seconds, but are the beginning to an intense trip ala' Floyd.

Time is both instrumental and vocal. The lyrics advise us to spend time wisely, because it just goes by and cannot be relaced. One day you realise that you are no longer young, but by then it is late. At first you hear clocks ticking, but Pink Floyd adds a twist of pounding a ring at time. This almost reminds one of a 'bell towing' ordeal.

There is little that can be said about The Great Gig In The Sky, except that the vocals of Clare Torry hit so many notes that evoke various emotions.Blues, jazz, and even classical opera. If you listen with headphones, there is an almost hypnotic effect!

Most say that Money is the best known and loved song of this album. Maybe it's the best known, but personally I prefer others. David Gilmour does display his great guitar talents on this song. The lyrics scream 'greed' and the music makes you envision money, power, and corruption along with the lyrics.

Us and Them is a strange song. The words are heard like there is an echo or reverb. The lyrics lead me to believe that it's us against them, but when all is said and done, it's everyone for themselves.

Pink Floyd now tries to conclude the trip by reversing the end with what was observed at the beginning. The last three songs reflect this. Any Colour You Like is yet another instrumental. Brain Damage is what I refer to as the lunatic(moon reference)song! That quickly leads to Eclipse or the grand finale of an 'acid' opera. The final words we are left to ponder are:
And everything under the sun is in tune
but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

In my years I have seen how bands evolve from other bands in a subtle, yet unmistakeable, way. In order to understand Darkside.. one must think along the lines that some secrets, although obvious, escape understanding for most people. The rich have secrets that the poor cannot grasp. We must always stay one step ahead of others. One band put it as"...mysteries of night escape the light of day..." Conserving, spending time wisely, and learning to 'relax' seems the advice of this great album by Pink Floyd. It also warns that by not doing so will result in regrets, waste, and everyday stresses leading to our final death.

Overall this is the most classic of albums, and I would dare say that it does exceed Led Zeppelin IV...but that is just my statement. OK it may be far-fetched but to each his/her own.

This info comes from books, enthusiasts, fans, djs, record companies, internet resrearch, and my own input. My goal is to provoke 'thinking!', but at the same time dealing with reality of the times. Pink Floyd will always be one of the top five Rock bands of all time in my book!