THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

What happens when you join 4 musicians with thirst of success and one of the most talented audio engineers? The result is this. One of the Best-Sellers in Music History. One of the most influential albums of all time. Overated or not, this is one of the most important works not only for Prog, but for Rock & Roll History too. Who has not heard The Dark Side of the Moon at least once? But, let's leave all the praises and let's get to what we care.

At the time when this album was written, Pink Floyd was on a tour and they wanted to create the biggest album ever, but at the same time they wanted to be rich and famous, and they did both.

The album, in a very moody way, starts with a long silence that slowly fades in, the sound of heartbeats, clocks, machinery, and voices get in the scene while a growing scream explodes to introduce the first track. "Breathe" is a song about the pains of growing and the lessons you have to learn to survive in this cruel world. The Slide- Guitar of David Gilmour adds the perfect touch to the song. Of course, Roger Waters's intelligent lyrics and excellent bass playing complete the mix. Every single element, the keyboards by Rick Wright and the Mason's drums are in the best play, bar by bar this song is the best way to start this space launch.

"On the Run" adds some drama to the album, the feeling of chasing and the paranoia is growing and suddenly it fills your room, silent voices whisper to your ears, it's the sound of death that meets you at the end of the song with an airplane crash.

Now, you're closer to death, and "Time" takes you a reflection through all the moments of your wasted life, remembering all those great moments when you were sitting at home watching the falling rain, in my opinion this is the most magnificent song in the album, the lyrics are awesome, and Gilmour sails through all his musical boundaries to print on each second his place in the Music History as one of the most emblematic guitar players. The reprise of "Breathe" is idea of Roger Waters, and it really fits to have a rest of the intensity of what this wonderful song makes you feel.

We are now in "The Great Gig in the Sky", which is clearly the gateway to paradise, the voice of Clare Torry lifts you up and takes you to the sky, the song increases and decreases as she wants, she went for it and this is what makes this song one of Pink Floyd's Classics .

"Money" is the most poppy or commercial song as you want to call it, a song that starts in a 7/4 bar, a very catchy bass riff that traps you immediately, once again the collaboration of the guest musicians is excellent, Dick Parry leaves his lungs in his Tenor Sax and makes us enjoy one of the best saxophone solos in a Rock Song, he leaves the song in the hands of David Gilmour to make one of the best guitar solos ever. The message is very clear, the money as the root of all evil, unfortunately this phrase would reach the band and break their relationship.

"Us and Them". A song originally written for the Zabriskie Point, that Roger wanted to release. The sax and the choirs in a very Gospel Style make of this song one of the best achievements on this album.

"Any Colour You Like" is an instrumental theme that let Rick Wright explore with his synthesizer and make a duel with David Gilmour, when one speaks, the other one answers. The song goes up and down and then is slowed for the beginning of "Brain Damage", which is obviously a tribute to their prior front man, the enigmatic and mystical Syd Barrett; this is also the only song when they make reference to the Title of The Album. I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.

"Eclipse" announces the end of this magical experience since the beginning, everything you are and you have it's over now. And the beating sound of the heart fades out for a magnificent ending.

Overated or not, this is a masterpiece and essential on every progressive collection. This album deserves no less than 5 stars.

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