THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

I've been familiar with this album for a long time, but have only recently purchased myself. It has to be said it is a solid album, but may be a bit overrated. Still a masterpiece though, nonetheless.

'Speak to Me' is a mosaic of sound effects and voices to prepare us for what is to come. 'Breathe' is a pretty little song, witha great melody. 'On the Run' is an unsung highlight of this album. It is obviously an attempt at something along the lines of 'One of these Days' form Meddle, but is more forward thinking and futuristic. I do, however, prefer 'One of these Days'. 'Time' is one of the masterpieces of this album with lyrics that ring very true. The lyrics reflect the nature of English life very realistically. This song segues into a reprise of 'Breathe' which combines the lyrical subject matter of 'Time' in a very poetic manner. The enigmatic 'The Great Gig in the Sky' is next, and is mesmeric in both composition and execution. What a brilliant vocal fom Clare Torry. 'Money' introduces us to the next half with those familiar noises, and one of the best bass lines to ever grace the ears of mankind. Again the lyrics are true of the average man dreaming of wealth (which of course the slightly hypocritical Floyd must have had at this time). The saxophone solo is superb. 'Us and Them' is another masterpiece of a song, with some of my favourite Floyd vocals. This one also includes brilliant use of saxophone. 'Any Colour You Like' is not a particularly interesting instrumental, but is a good way to bridge the gap between 'Us and Them' and 'Brain Damage', often misnamed as the title track. 'Brain Damage' is superb, and indicates mentally breaking up, a subject which the bands were probably experts on due to the decline of Syd Barret. This track is very beautiful and I can hear that their heart is in it more than the other tracks on this album. 'Eclipse' brings things to a close and is the second song by the Pink Floyd that I heard (after 'Another Brick... Part 2). This is a perfect closer and is very grandiose by Floydian standards.

Even though I own a rather inferior remaster edition, I can not dispute this album's masterpiece status. Sometimes I feel I am two generous with 5 star ratings, but who am I to deny this its rightful rating?