WISH YOU WERE HERE

With the perfection and comercial success of Dark Side, it is difficult to believe that Pink Floyd's next album would put all of their previous work in its place. This is their greatest album, preiod. Waters, in complete control at this point, charges full speed ahead with ever more dark and cynical lyrics, and Gilmour is as good as ever. This tribute to Syd Barett, God rest his soul, soars to new heights, reaching perfection in new ways.

The album begins with a long introduction and a continuous but well-presented Gm chord, seting you up for a famous guitar riff, all four notes in all its glory. Then you are led to a slight change in mood as the music becomes slow and bluesy. A few minutes later the lyrics, and finally, back to that initial chord, this time with saxophone. A new aound fades in, overtaking the end of track 1 ("Shine On..."), the sound of the machine, and the amazing and dark "welcome to the Machine" begins. After the end of this magnificent piece, "Have a Cigar" begins, cynically mocking the record industry. Next is the fantasitc "Wish You Were Here" an acoustic lyrical masterpiece. Last but certainly not least is the second half of "Shine On...," and this is where it gets groovy.

This is a top notch album worthy of "essential to life" status. Buy it.