1978-1989: Top 24 PA/RYM albums with 625+ ratings

TerLJack wrote: I just don't understand the appeal of The Wall. After an outstanding three album run, this came out and took the world by storm. After 25 years, I remain unimpressed.

Mileage will vary.

Some say there's no accounting for taste. I won't speak for others, one can read reviews for that, but for myself and I know this is inadequate in expressing my perspective or more-so my experience...

The Wall was the first Pink Floyd album where I took notice, and that was over four decades ago for me. I was a child over at my friend's house, and my brother visited there with the double-album. At first I was taken with quite rude imagery in the gatefold which both amused and shocked my young mind. Later on I listened to the music and "Goodbye Blue Sky" in particular immediately connected with me. I guess part of it is if you identify with the lyrics as well as the music. Maybe it was an advantage that I was not comparing it to earlier albums. And while you mention the outstanding three album run, it's the one before that I return to the most. I have fond memories associated with The Wall, like being in a concert line-up to get tickets to The Wall as a youth with friends (we were in line all night and it was cold) and people joining in in Pink Floyd sing-alongs. When I was working in Japan I had not brought much music, and the first CD I bought there was The Wall. "On of My Turns" has been a particularly cathartic song for me. I like the way the whole album goes, but also there are a bunch of great-for-me songs on it, Mother, Goodbye Blue Sky, One of My Turns, Run Like Hell, Waiting for the Worms, Young Lust, Run Like Hell. It is the second album that I have played more, and I loved The Trial when I heard it as kid. Some great flow to it. I'm actually not so keen on ones like Comfortably Numb or Hey You anymore due to overhearing them. I have been attracted to dystopian works for most of my life, and that also is an appeal of The Wall, and also it's themes of alienation, isolation, trying to fit it... It speaks to me in my own unique way.

It's one of those albums (like with other Floyd) that after many years listening remains a visceral and powerful experience for me. And it is one where I really do pay attention to the lyrics and "feel the moods", or as Spinal Tap would say, "And it feels so real you can feel the feeling... And it's conquest is complete. And all that you can to is just surrender." And that's the majesty of Floyd.

TerLJack wrote: I just don't understand the appeal of The Wall. After an outstanding three album run, this came out and took the world by storm. After 25 years, I remain unimpressed.

Back In NYC was the track that convinced me that Genesis were worth diving into. Back in the 70's I mostly thought they were insipid and lacking ideas and inspiration and that didn't change for a long time.

Rush - Moving Pictures (1981)     
     Rush - Hemispheres (1978)     
     Rush - Permanent Waves (1980)     
     Marillion - Misplaced Childhood (1985)     
     Bacamarte - Depois do Fim (1983)     
     Marillion - Script for a Jester's Tear (1983)     
     Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel 3 [Aka: Melt] (1980)     
     Marillion - Clutching at Straws (1987)     
     King Crimson - Discipline (1981)     
     Steve Hackett - Spectral Mornings (1979)     
     Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden (1988)     
     Kraftwerk - Die Mensch-Maschine (1978)     
     This Heat - Deceit (1981)     
     Pink Floyd - The Wall (1979)     
     Kraftwerk - Computerwelt (1981)     
     Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring (1986)