THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Needless to say, this album is iconic. I first acquired it back in the early 1970s. It was a great place to start my progressive rock collection. It has all the elements, odd meters, multi-track layering, inspired lyrics, great ensemble playing and a truly well though out concept. Yet, it is accessible. This album is one of ten, to which I would grant a five star rating. It is truly essential.

To me this album ends the golden age of progressive rock, which started with the Beatles Tomorrow Never Knows. This song opened up a new perception and emphasis in popular music with the lyric, "Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream." British popular music now tackled social and spiritual issues. The closing words of Eclipse answered this request with the response, " Everything under the sun is in tune but the sun is eclipsed by the moon." From its opening, this album questions the naivete and innocense of the '60s counterculture in its desire to change the world. It ends with a reminder that finding answers in life is not as easy as tuning out or separating oneself from the realities of life.

This album is an attempt to addresss contemporary issues in a mature light and in that sense it is Floyd's Sgt. Pepper, their coming of age. I cannot imagine that anybody has not heard most of this album, either on the radio growing up in the 1970s or in their parent's car growing up in the 1990s. Its popularity should not detract from the fact that this is a classic and exceptional album. It is well done from song to song with interesting tempos, sounds and instrumentation that create varying moods and provocative subject matter.

The songs ask one to examine ones life before it is too late, in order to lead a meaningful life. Such a topic is very deeply thought for such young men and its timeless theme is part of its timeless success. I have know doubt that it will continue to be the quintessential representation of music in the 1970s even one hundred years after its release.