THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

This is probably my true introduction to the world of prog rock (if you don't count "Sgt. Pepper" and "Mystery Tour", of course). What is it that makes this album a classic? Beats me. "But why do you like it?" Actually, it's been so long since the time I was enjoying this record, so I will try to recollect all the thoughts I had about it to the best of my ability.

Let's just say that there are some really out-there moments on the album. The yelling, the wordless singing, weird delicious chords and chord progressions, annoying clocks, noises of lasting explosions ? I suppose these are the things that make this album a widely acknowledged classic. Me personally, I was enthralled with all these things (except for the clocks) and more, namely Dave Gilmour's melancholic guitar style on 'Time', the vocal harmony of the backing singers, and the organ work on the whole album. I also noticed an amazingly huge pile of genres stuck into the album. You have funk, jazz (and not just any jazz, but modal jazz), gospel, experimental music, musique concrete, ambient, techno (see 'On the Run') and, of course, pop and rock.

"I see you have given a five to 'The Great Gig in the Sky'. Why?" The intro really took hold of me. The band loved it when they heard Rick's piano chord progression, and so did I. It just really struck me one day. Then the slide guitar comes in. Then a dude says "And I'm not frightened of dying. Any time will do, I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying? There is no reason for it, you gotta go some time." (Sorry for the spoiler alert.) Right there. That just so made sense to me. Honestly, as stupid as this may sound to you, I have never thought about life like this before. "So give the album a five if the lyrics are good." Oh, no, such lyrics are not all over the place on the album.

"So, why is it that you don't enjoy this album as much as most Floyd fans do?" I guess that's because it sounds like the band had shifted its focus from songwriting to production, which is why I wish they bothered about more of fresh musical quality. But, in general, it's a very pleasant listen. If you want to hear some radical pop-rock, here you have it.

Ratings/comments (if you have to ask):

1. 'Speak to Me/Breathe' - ****

2. 'On the Run' - ****

3. 'Time/Breathe (reprise)' - ****

4. 'The Great Gig in the Sky' - *****

5. 'Money' - ***

6. 'Us and Them' - ****

7. 'Any Colour You Like' - ****

8. 'Brain Damage' - **

9. 'Eclipse' - ***

Stamp: "I like it."

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