WISH YOU WERE HERE

The follow-up to the massively successful Dark Side of the Moon may not be as well known, but it's just as good. It may even be better sometimes depending on my mood. I'd say this is the most human Pink Floyd ever sounded. The lyrics written by Roger Waters for the song "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" directly refer to Syd Barrett, one of the founding members of the band.

The music on here might be more impressive than its predecessor. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" especially has a very spacious and ethereal opening where not much happens musically, but it still works and pulls you in. This piece contains multiple sections and is split into 2 parts, bookending the album. The following track, "Welcome To The Machine" is another winner. Plenty of emotion and cool sound effects in this song.

As good as side 1 is, side 2 is probably better overall with the songs "Have A Cigar", "Wish You Were Here", and the second part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". All tracks have great musicianship throughout and the lyrics take on different subjects. The record industry is lampooned in "Have A Cigar" with a guest vocal appearance by Roy Harper. The title track is one of the band's most famous songs. In this song, the themes of absence and being distant from a friend are explored once again. A deeply moving and profound piece of music. The album then finishes with the final sections of "Shine On..." and the keyboards at the end almost sound like a memorial tune.

This album is simply too good to miss. Pink Floyd essentially followed up one masterpiece with another. My desert island CD collection would be seriously incomplete without Wish You Were Here.