Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd is one of the most famous progressive rock bands, and rock bands in general. Almost everyone knows "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall," and the album covers are instantly identified. However, Pink Floyd has a much deeper catalog including much more "out there" progressive rock sound. I'll admit I'm not a hardcore Pink Floyd fan and I don't know much of their early catalog. However, their sound is ubiquitous and a frequently go on Pink Floyd kicks. I first received "Dark Side of the Moon" on CD and for years that was my only exposure. Only in the past couple years have I been able to expand my Pink Floyd knowledge. On most albums, the band consists of Roger Waters (vocals), David Gilmour (guitar), Nick Mason (drums), and Richard Wright (keyboards).
Nate's Epic Pink Floyd Playlist
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), A Saucerful of Secrets (1968), More (1969), Ummagumma (1969), Atom Heart Mother (1970), Relics (1971), Meddle (1971), Obscured by Clouds (1972)
I'm not much a fan of early Pink Floyd. It's too weird, too avant garde, for me to listen to and enjoy. Maybe someday, but not today.
Astronomy Domine: One of the more popular of the early songs, it's actually the opening track for the first album. It does have a good thumping beat to it.
Interstellar Overdrive: A longer early song that's pretty out there, but it does have some interesting riffs to it.
Arnold Layne: This is very similar to the sound of many early British bands. Reminiscent of early Rolling Stones, The Who, and others.
The Gold It's In The..." This doesn't sound like early Pink Floyd at all. Just a great bluesy song.
Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
My first introduction to Pink Floyd and probably their most famous album. It's a concept album and many of the songs flow seamlesly into each other. Definitely one of my favorite albums. My favorite songs are "Time," "The Great Gig in the Sky," "Money," and "Us and Them."
Speak to me/Breathe: The song starts as nothing, and you might even check your headphones to confirm something is playing. There's barely an echo of a heartbeat, then machinery, then, the epic Pink Floyd scream pierces your ears. From there, it's a nice slow blues tune, with intermittent interjections from the organ. My favorite line is "run, rabbit run, dig that hole...when at last the work is done, don't sit down it's time to dig another one."
On the Run: The first of multiple instrumental tracks, it has a driving backbeat evoking imagery of running machinery.
Time: The silence is first broken by ringing clocks. Then, reinforced by the ticking of a clock, comes powerful chords with the occasional drum fill. Finally, the real song begins. One of my favorites, it's a great combination of blues with a driving beat. My second favorite guitar solo after "Money."
The Great Gig in the Sky: "I am not afraid of dying..." The only real words in this (my favorite) instrumental. Technically there is singing but no words, and what powerful singing it is. This song gives me chills when I hear her vocals. To be honest, it reminds me a bit of the singing alien from "The Fifth Element."
Money: Did you notice this song is in 7/4? Of course you did! It has one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in the Pink Floyd catalog. Not only does the song have a killer unbelievable guitar solo, but an awesome sax solo to boot!
Us and Them: The organ provides a calming effect after the jarring sounds of "Money," and introduces one of the most famous tracks from this album. It's mostly chill, but the bridge is wake-up call. I like the vocal part where he (supposedly) says "short, sharp, shock" but I honestly think he's just mumbling.
Any Colour You Like: The final instrumental track, it has a very spacy vibe. I like when the guitar finally jumps in with a very offbeat rhythm.
Brain Damage: Ah yes, the lunatic. First he's on the grass, then the hall, then he's in my head! Finally we hear the famous line "I'll see you on the dark side of the moon." I also like the line "there's someone in my head, but it's not me." Spooky.
Eclipse: An excellent finale to an excellent album. You can picture it as the curtain call. The song fades out with the heartbeat, the same as the opening of the first track, bringing the album full circle! Deep.
Wish You Were Here (1975)
I think this is my all-around favorite album. It has the same sound as "Dark Side..." and "The Wall," but it's not a concept album and each of these songs is enjoyable on its own. My favorites are "Shine on you Crazy Diamonds" and "Have a Cigar."
Shine On You Crazy Diamond: Technically there are 9 parts, with 1-5 a the beginning of the album and 6-9 at the end. I love the slow buildup, and I always forget what's coming next as the intro slowly builds. I love when everything quiets, and the guitar comes back in with the slow, ominous riff, foreshadowing the epicness to come. The entire song is a slow build and I love it. I do like the funky bass part on the second half of the track.
Welcome to the Machine: I feel like the whole song has a machine-like quality to the sound.
Have a Cigar: I freakin' love the bass riff that this song opens with. I first heard this song while taking an Uber, and it took me forever to figure out the name after the riff got stuck in my head. The whole song plods along but it adds to the enjoyment. I like the song is about to end, then abruptly fades out as if the whole thing was playing on a tape player. I do like the line "oh by the way, which one's Pink?"
Wish You Were Here: I'm not one for acoustic guitar, but they do this song justice. I feel like it has a very morose, thoughtful sound, similar to "That's the Way" by Led Zeppelin.
Animals (1977)
I haven't given this album enough of a listen to pass judgment, but "Dogs" is pretty good.
Dogs: The longest Pink Floyd song at 17 minutes, it's hard to describe the song as a whole. I'll give you more thoughts once I give it more of a listen.
The Wall (1979)
I'm not much for concept albums, but I do like this one (and the movie is on my watch list). Many of Pink Floyd's most famous tracks are on this concept album, which details an oppressive dystopian society. I can't over much interpretation, take a listen for yourself. My favorite songs are "Another Brick...Pt 2," "Mother," "Young Lust," "Comfortably Numb," and "Run Like Hell."
In The Flesh?: A great introduction to the album, it almost sounds like something that would get your attention at the beginning of a show or circus as the curtain is rising.
The Thin Ice: I always remember this as the "baby crying" song. I like the piano part while he sings about skating on thin ice. The song ends with a powerful guitar solo.
Another Brick in the Wall Part 2: Literally everyone knows this song. Even if it's overplayed, it's still enjoyable to listen to. Can't have your pudding if you don't eat your meat.
Mother: Mother, I like this song. I'm a fan of the imagery and the use of acoustic guitar. I like playing this on the drum for the slow, dragging beat. The guitar solo is awesome while maintaining that chill vibe.
Young Lust: More of a straightforward rock song, it's all about needing a "dirty woman." No idea what that means...she needs to bathe?
Hey You: A more intense song off the album, I like the dark guitar sound and the great guitar solo. And who can forget the line "and the worms ate into his brain."
Comfortably Numb: An amazing song with one of the best guitar solos of all time. There is so much emotion contained within the song, with your feelings changing with each verse and chorus. Highly recommend giving this a listen.
In The Flesh: Repeating the riffs of the first album track, the lead singer imagines himself as the leader of a dystopian government.
Run Like Hell: I like the screechy, dissonant guitar sound that the song opens with. Definitely a riff that sticks in your head. The drumbeat is simplistic but provides the foundation for the song. And don't forget the screeching! There's a great live version, with Roger Waters shouting "are there any paranoids in the audience."
The Final Cut (1983)
Haven't really listened much, and none of these songs really stand out. Sorry dawg.
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
Ah, the post-Waters era. Sure it doesn't compare to the more famous albums, but I like a few of the songs on here. My favorite songs are "Learning to Fly," "One Slip," and "On the Turning Away."
Learning to Fly: Although it's a straight beat, there's some hesitation with the vocals providing some syncopation to the song. I like the little interlude with which I can only guess is the sounds of a military or NASA mission.
The Dogs of War: The dark brooding sound makes you picture armies gathering to do battle, while the gods/dogs of war are watching and waiting. Or maybe it's just me.
One Slip: Weird computer sounds for a minute or so. Then we jump into this rocking song with a driving beat and great synth/guitar sound, the perfect 80's rock song. At least to me.
On the Turning Away: I like this song but I don't know why. It has a sadness to it, but also a hopefulness. I would describe the guitar sound as "soaring."
Terminal Frost: An instrumental track with a nice slow groove, very soothing. It does have a nice touch of emotion to it.
Delicate Sound of Thunder (1988)
This is the only live compilation put out by Pink Floyd. As usual, there's an added rawness to the sound that isn't present on a live album. I like it because it includes some of the songs from "Momentary Lapse of Reason." The album opens with a great version of "Shine On..." Otherwise the first half is all newer songs. I think the best live version is "Dogs of War," really ups the live sound game with its intensity. The second half contains more old tracks. The impact of "Time" is even stronger, and "Money" feels even more intense with its prolonged solo section. "Comfortably Numb" is slowed down but the guitar solo is even more amazing with an extended section. The album closes with "Run Like Hell," another song that definitely improves when live.
The Division Bell (1994)
The final studio album, I think half the enjoyment of this album is the very memorable album cover. I have to give it more of a listen. My favorite songs are "Take It Back" and "Keep Talking."
Take It Back: Sure, maybe not the best Pink Floyd song, but it sounds like the kind of song that plays at the end of a rom/com movie as the credits begin to roll. I don't know why, but I like the chorus of "take it back...someday." I like the parts where everything drops out, and the guitar sound feels kind of spacy.
Keep Talking: In case you didn't figure it out, that's Stephen Hawking talking. But what makes it even better is it's sampled from a commercial for BT! I know it's a commercial, but it's a pretty powerful one. I think the sampling adds to the song, making it a very powerful track. I get chills when Stephen Hawking says "make sure we...keep talking."
Is There Anybody Out There (2000)
A live version of "The Wall" recorded 1980-1981. It's the usual spin on studio albums you've come to expect. I definitely like the live versions of "Run Like Hell," "Mother," and "Comfortably Numb."