ECHOES - THE BEST OF PINK FLOYD

this is the 4th and arguably the best PF compliation I have listened too. It's so nice to hear samples from the band's 30+ year history. Since it's presented non-chronalogically, some of the jumps betwwent ime periods are a little awkward (High Hopes - Bike and Learning to Fly - Arnold Layne).

Other than those flukes, the crossfading between the songs is amazing, and shows that no matter how much the band changed, there music still flows together

This was the first PF album I owned after DSOTM, and I'll explain it as I orgianally heard it and how I hear it now.

1. Astronomy Domine: A song, when I first listened, I absolutley depised. But upon reapeted listeing I realized the sheer genius of it and really got me into the Syd Barret style. The guitar riffs are way out there and the lyrics make no sense whatsoever, but after each reapeted listening, the beauty of the songs comes out even more.

2. See Emily Play: A song I first could have sworn was a Beatle's tune had I not known better. Definitly a classic piece and another of my favorites from Barret

3 & 4: The Happiest Days of our Lives/Another Brick (Part 2): The most well known PF tune, and perhaps the most obvious choice for the set. Definitly loved it it when I first heard and was at one point one of my favorites from them (before I heard "Shine On" and "Echoes")

5: Echoes: This starts what I belive to be the best part of the crossfading between melodies (this continues thorugh "Set the Controls"). Another song I did not enjoy at first (the first thatw as over 8 minutes in length, so I felt it was a lttle long) after a few more tries I began to really see the precision and beauty of the song and is now my favoirte rock epic. Well fairly abstract in lyrics, this song followed by the next two all deal with isolation, a intresting thing I've noticed in reapeted listenings

6: Hey You: The second best song from The Wall, and the best on on which Waters has sole credit. Amazing lyrics and and awesome guitar solo from Gilmour. Everytime I am blown away from this song.

7. Marooned: this song flows beautifully out of Hey You, although the inclusion of only the first two minutes is a little disappointing not that I'v'e heard the entire six minutes on "Divison Bell". One of thier bext instrumentals. As a side note, this song is the only work in which PF recived a grammy.

8. The Great Gig in the Sky: Awesome. Just awesome. I love the organ intro, and the vocals blew me away. Another song that feels good comming from Marooned

9. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun: My favoirte song from the post-Syd, pre-Dark Side era. Haunting melody and intresting lyrics. A very thought provoking tune. Melting off of the previous track, the crossfade is amzing

10. Money: Just as you're about to fall asleep, "Money" brings you back out of the mellow tunes and into what is my second favorite guitar solo from Guilmour. The opening bass riff in tune to the chimes of cash registers is the best intro ever

11. Keep Talking: Coming off of Money, at first you would think you're hearing "Us and Them" as you normally would, but then you hear one of the post-Waters songs. This one I thought was unnessary for the compilation. All right, but not one of my favorites

12. Sheep: Definitly a catchy tune, I loved this one from the start, although after hearing "Animals" I wished "Dogs" was included instead.

13: Sorrow: A great closing song, but "On the Turning Away" may have been a better choice. as a side note, the lyrics (which I find amazing) seem eerily similiar to a the Gunslinger from the Dark Tower series by Stephen King

Disc 2 1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1-7): Hearing the first 2 minutes of this songs, I knew it was going to be epic. A fitting eulogy for thier departed founder, Syd Barret. Emotional vocals and amazing guitar passages from the simple four note theme to the solo that builds up to the opening lines, the song is incredible all the way through. Definitly get Wish You Were and listen to the full version

2. Time: A classic PF song, and arguably the best. Also has an amazing solo, and the best lyrics ever.

3. The Fletcher Memroial Home: While a beautiful song, I thought it was ann odd choice for the compilation. "The Final Cut" or "Gunner's Dream" would have been a btter choice from the representative album

4. Comfortably Numb: Amazing lyrics with the most amazing solos ever, one that I could probably listen to go on for another ten minutes. Hearing Roger Waters and David Gilmour exchange dialouge is amazing. Another obvious choice for the album. By far my favorite from this band

5. When the Tigers Broke Free: The only previously unrealesed track. While a nice choice, I would rather hear the stuido version of "What Shall We Do Now?"

6. One of These Days: The best PF instrumental. The strumming bass that leads up to Nick Mason's vocal is amazing. I song I can listen to over and over and not get tired of

7. Us and Them: This classic ballad about war was not a fovorite with me, but after I while I grew to love the song. Great sax intro

8. Learning to Fly: I love this song, and the album it's on, no matter how much people complain about the lack of Roger Waters. Like the Set the Controls-Money transition the switch from Us and The to Learning to fly has the same effect

9. Arnold Layne: An odd switch fromt he previous song, but a classic single taht took a while to like

10. Wish You Were Here: A classic ballad, that I love from the start. Very meaningful lyrics

11. Jugband Blues: While being Syd Barret's Swan Song, I have never really like it. It's wakward to listen too with the jump in melody at the end, and the lyrics are kind of dumb

12. High Hopes: A great song, great lyrics. But I would have preffered if this was the closing song rather than "Bike".

13. Bike: A song I hated at first and for awhile I stop the CD at the end of the previous song. Now I think it's innovative and give it a listen.

A few songs I belive should have been included: 1. Have a Cigar 2. Free Four 3. Careful With that Axe 4. Fearless 5. Welcome to the Machine 6. On the Turning Away 7. The Narrow Way (Part 3) 8. Cymbaline 9. Let there be more Light 10. Dogs

but you can't have everything you want. And besides you really can't fit all of thier best works on two discs

overall a must have for new PF fans, and worthwhile for all but mabye the hardcore fans. I still give it a five