features in: Album Chart of 1973 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die  |
Tirelessly touted as one of the greatest albums of all-time, the 7th Pink Floyd LP was a markedly different beast to the marvellous and edgy debut six years earlier; musically more progressive, sure, but, to me, hugely boring in comparison. The group remain unchanged since Syd Barrett left in '68 and line up: David Gilmour (vocals, guitars, synth), Nick Mason (drums, percussion, tape effects), Richard Wright (organs, pianos, synths, vocals) and Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals, synth, tape effects). Amongst the soulful female quartet on backing vocals is Doris Troy of “Just One Look” fame, with saxophonist Dick Parry guesting on “Us And Them” and “Money”. The album was conceptualized by lyricist Waters as relating to the human experience, exploring life, love, greed, mental illness, conflict and death, and plays out as two long suites. The title itself - referenced in the best track “Brain Damage” - alludes to lunacy rather than astronomy. Alas, these grand ideas mean little to me on their own; I'm primarily here for the music, and what's presented is largely in the prevailing soft-rock style of the day. Absolutely nothing can overcome my general boredom. Still, it's the world's third best-selling album, so what do I know? Keys man Richard Wright reasoned: “It was not a deliberate attempt to make a commercial album. It just happened that way. We knew it had a lot more melody than previous Floyd albums, and there was a concept that ran all through it. The music was easier to absorb and having girls singing away added a commercial touch that none of our records had.”
The Jukebox Rebel
05–Sep–2008
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [04:00]  Pink Floyd - Medley: Speak To Me / Breathe (Nick Mason - David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright) Soft Rock / A.O.R. |
| A2 | [03:33]  Pink Floyd - On The Run (David Gilmour, Roger Waters) Prog |
| A3 | [07:06]  Pink Floyd - Time (David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason) Rock |
| A4 | [04:44]  Pink Floyd - The Great Gig In The Sky (Richard Wright, Clare Torry) Blues Rock / Soul Rock |
| B1 | [06:32]  Pink Floyd - Money (Roger Waters) Blues Rock / Soul Rock |
| B2 | [07:40] Pink Floyd - Us And Them (Roger Waters, Richard Wright) Pop Ballad |
| B3 | [03:25] Pink Floyd - Any Colour You Like (David Gilmour, Richard Wright, Nick Mason) Prog |
| B4 | [03:50]  Pink Floyd - Brain Damage (Roger Waters) Blues Rock / Soul Rock |
| B5 | [02:04]  Pink Floyd - Eclipse (Roger Waters) Blues Rock / Soul Rock |
