I'm going to step out of the norm, and write about something that has been extremely influential to me - Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Album.
To Me, "DSOTM" is one of the/if not THE Greatest Album ever recorded.
"Originally recorded in 1973, this concept album would prove to be one of Pink Floyd's most famous, and influential albums ever recorded that employed 10 seperate songs all flowing seemlessly together.
Speak To Me
Breathe
On the Run
Time
The Great Gig in the Sky
Money
Us and Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse
First conceived as a purely experimental project, the band employed techniques and instruments that were not widely popular at the time, and they received much criticism before the album was released. However, the album topped the charts world-wide and spent 741 weeks (thats right - 14 years) on the U.S.-based Billboard 200 Chart - the longest of any album. Ever. And it has the the bragging rights of holding the title of 'Second Highest Selling Album of All Time' - with over Forty Million units sold since its released."
"Dark Side of the Moon" was, (and Im not proud to say) is the only Pink Floyd Album I had ever listened to. I had always been 'fond' of Pink Floyd's music - you know, you hear their song 'Money' or 'Another Brick in the Wall' every now and then on the radio and you never really thought any more of it. It wasn't until I got ahold of a copy of "Dark Side of the Rainbow" which involves the classic "Wizard of Oz"(Ugh I hate that movie,) synced up with Pink Floyd's infamous album - but more on that later. After I had seen the film I was in utter disbelief. How could a group of songs... make me feel so... alive? I was literally out of words and out of breath. It was like a mental joyride.
DSOTM implements so many thematic elements that its more or less like taking an emotional rollercoaster thats starts in your ears, and travels throughout your entire body. With themes, and philosophical elements such as:
[Quoted from Wikipedia]
"Time" [dealing] with growing older and the overwhelmingly fast approach of death - youth being gone before one even realizes it. "The Great Gig in the Sky" deals with thoughts of death and religion, "Money" deals with consumerism with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and wealth-related sound effects. "Us and Them" deals with conflict, ethnocentrism, and the belief that a person's self is "always in the right".[5] "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse" deal with growing too old to be who one once was, and finally, death.
And by listening to the album in its entirity one can experience emotions of joy and excitement at the beginning, to feelings of dread, depression and renewal towards the end.
From the first time I listened to DSOTM, I became a new person. I listened to the music as something more than just... sounds. I had been a musician since I was 5 (and my first time listening to the album was at 17 - 12 years I know... pathetic really) I felt in sync with every word, every instrument, every 1/8th note, pentatonic scale and rest. I understood the music, and because of this, I was able to relate and feel the emotional ride that was intended.
After hearing the album, I literally became addicted. I could not stop listening to it. I had it on my computer, in my truck, on my iPod (hell, I still have 2 DIFFERENT versions (Color & Black and White) of "Dark Side of the Rainbow" that I still watch and hook up to my TV), on my phone even! It was not unusual for me to listen to the album 3 maybe 4 times a day - and still not be satisfied! I would even listen to it while falling asleep (fantastic idea by the way for any of you wanting to induce crazy dreams.) I listened to it so much, that I had every lyric and riff memorized. I even learnt the entire album on guitar (thank you Kevin for being so patient.) The most absurd moment though was when I had this 'epiphany' (what I like to call it, heh) to start a DSOTM Tribute Band. I got all the members, tried scheduling practises, got sheet music for everyone, set dates and guidelines, and even investigated locations for gigging our final product! I felt that Pink Floyd had given me something so amazing, so fantastic, that I felt I was obligated to do something in return to show my appreciation. Sad to say, however, that the project never really took off, and everyone disbanded a few months into it. Its understandable, but at the same time, quite a let down. I still continue playing DSOTM (- Love "Time") and maybe, maybe in the future, I'll be able to pursue that dream once again. I've been fortunate enough to keep in contact with the official South African Pink Floyd Tribute band - Welcome to the Machine, and their guitarist Dereck Walstra has proved a very reliable contact. So thank you to them!
I would strongly, strongly recommend anyone - whether they be an aspiring or professional musician, or a listener or all sounds, to check out Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." I would suggest listening to it in its entirety (its a mere 40 minutes) and not listen to "a song here... and a song there". By doing so, one can expect to experience the ultimate thrill - one that will captivate you and leave you in awe at the end.
You can get a sneak preview of the album here at Amazon.
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On a side note... for those of you interested in the Dark Side of the Moon/Wizard of Oz mashup entitled "Dark Side of the Rainbow" you can watch it here (to intrigue and spark your interest.) Its is extremely eerie at times, especially when Time starts playing (14:53ish), and further on when Dorothy first entires the Munchkins Lair (19:30)(I have no idea what its really called, nor do I care.) Have fun, and thanks for stopping by!
Please post your comments and let me know what you think!
