THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

This is an excellent album. One that I think anyone can approach and enjoy. For the most part it is rather laid back. Most tracks transition directly from one to the other without pause and are often accompanied by strange, but related sound effects. It isn't all near coma inducing space grooves, it does get a little more intense at times like during On the Run. Unlike some other lower key albums this one does stretch for the stars in a few places mostly thanks to the vocal acrobatics of guest Clare Torry.

I give Dark Side of the Moon, a four out of five. I can easily see why this album rates right up at a five for most people. I can't say I blame them. It does have some five out of five work on it: Breath, Time and Any Colour You Like to name my favourite parts. I think that Money is, unfortunately, a blemish on the album. I used to love it when I was younger, but endless radio play forever drove the love out of me. I don't just harbour irrational hatred for it though. I do honestly think that when you hold it up to any other part of the album it comes up short.

You do have to be in the right mood Dark Side. This isn't the kind of thing you pop in for a jam session. You have to be ready to get your mellow on. I find that it does get a little boring at times. Probably because I am not quite totally ready to surrender to the kind of total relaxation this album requires. My mind tends to wander off, the typical culprit is the Great Gig in the Sky and to a lesser extent Us and Them.

You can do no wrong by adding Dark Side of the Moon to your music collection, but if you had to only buy one Pink Floyd I would pass this one over for their true masterwork Wish You Were Here.