WISH YOU WERE HERE

This is my first introduction to Pink Floyd -- and progressive rock at the same time. It was back in mid-1970s. I bought it along with Deep Purple's "Made in Japan" cassette version. The first time I listened to it, right there at the track "Shine on You Crazy Diamond Pts. 1-5, I was like, "Man, this is a music from heaven."

Though it starts with a very leisurely pace, "Shine on..." is a showcase of the band's proficient in building a long yet thrilling soundscapes over a basically short tune. They manage to gradually reveal the magic of the song, which has to do with the theme about their founding member -- Syd Barrett. Gilmour's solo is a killer work, highly melodic and perfectly executed, while the other members' contributions unmistakably elevate the interaction between them to a higher, pleasurable place.

As amazing as "Shine on...", "Welcome to the Machine", "Have a Cigar" and "Wish You Were Here" consecutively deliver varied moods which are crafted masterfully based on whimsical lyrics and hook melodies and sound effects. Again, the interplay of Gilmour's guitar works and the other members' instruments play important parts here.

It's been more than 30 years now and my expectation of discovering new sensation is always fulfilled every time I listen to it. Without any doubt, I rate this album as the greatest Pink Floyd ever released. It's definitely an all-time classic within progressive rock territory.