DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Let me begin this review by stating that I've never been a big fan of Pink Floyd. Sorry, but that's how it is. I've had my battles trying to fall in love with what so many call masterpieces of progressive rock. Dark Side Of The Moon isn't just like any other Pink Floyd Album, there's no denying to that. It's a monumental album that every generation following its release have encountered, heard and often even acquired. For many it's the definite Pink Floyd album, but most importantly, for the great deal of the population it is the quintessential prog rock album, acting as a gateway to a very different kind of music compared to what kids of today usually listen to.

And while I won't try to challenge that, when putting DSOTM in its context I just can't find the qualities necessary in making this a masterpiece. It's far from bad all the time, but where is the excitement? Where are the challenging instrumental passages? And most importantly: where is the passion? Mellow and sweet melodies, warm atmospheres and almost always pleasing and relaxing input from all the instrumentalists. Sure. I understand why some consider this great. I really do, believe me. But for me the end result is just an album that lacks edge. A lot of edge. I've used this album as a sleeping pill quite a few times. Pretty standard, slow, ambience oriented rock and thus great for that. I've felt like that since I heard the album for the first time, and I still feel that way. The same favourites I had back then remains favourites today.

Time is an amazing track, where the use of sound effects and the band's knack for creating powerful atmospheres form a perfect bond. Everything is just right. The delicate bell sounds, the lonely drumming and the space that gives every single note something extra. Now that's just the intro, and the rest of the song is just as good and I really wish that the rest of the album was of the same high quality. This is where the edge is found. On Time and on The Great Gig In The Sky, an enchanting piano/organ driven song, with a passionate, almost primal wordless vocal performance by Clare Torry. Blew my mind the first time I heard it. These two songs are almost good enough to carry up the rest of the album, but naturally, they don't. I really wish that the rest of the material had the same passion and glow. That would have been a masterpiece.

But this is what we've got, and three stars is what it gets.

//LinusW