THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

I first got into Pink Floyd as a teenager when Another Brick in the Wall was released - this was when I was into Punk Rock! I subsequently bought a number of other Floyd albums - like Meddle and Obscured by Clouds - on repeated listenings (as with all Floyd stuff - you need to give it 4 or 5 times before it starts giving you goose-pimples!) I grew to love these. I then later bought Dark Side. At that age I absolutely loved Money first and foremost, then TIme, then Them and Us. But I didn't really get into the rest of it, and if asked then I may have only given this 3 or 4 stars - that is I was a little disappointed, considring all the hype. In recent times, however, no longer able to play vinyls, I acquired the CD - now knowing the whole Pink Floyd story - Syd Barrett's plight and Roger Waters concept of madness, it gave it all a brand new meaning. It suddenly became awesome throughout. I now understand. Then I only listened to Pink Floyd - now I can HEAR it. This surely amongst all Prog (sorry dirty word) albums is the greatest - most experimental, most diverse, most simple, yet most complicated, and more approachable than any other. But please listen seeral times - and preferably late at night when you are somewhat tired. Looking at your list of Top 100 Prog albums of all, I couldn't understand why this isn't No1. After all, ask someone on the street - have they heard of 'Close to the Edge' or 'Selling England' - not likely - but Dark side of the Moon - no doubt. However, last week I had a conversation with a friend of mine from my teenage years, and I mentioned Pink Floyd and Progressive rock. 'Thye're not Prog rock!' he gasped - that's stuff like Yes and Genesis he said. I said - Space Rock then - at that he laughed in more agreement.

I guess he's right - at least to an extent. I'd never heard the term 'Prog rock' until a couple of years ago. When asked what sort of music I lied (when younger), I would say (amongst other stuff), oh 'stuff like Genesis, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull and Gong' - I didn't know what to call it (a little frustratingly). I was almost pleased when I heard the term.

I suppose Pink Floyd isn't like Yes and early Genesis - it is a whole lot simpler, and actually more approachable (if you play the right albums) - but can't you see that's makes it so utterly brilliant. I guess therefore in terms of 'Prog rock' then I might forgive putting 'Close to the Edge' as No1. But as an album from any genre, Dark Side of the Moon is far greater - and correspondingly much more famous. I apologise to all you Yes and Genesis fans - don't get me wrong I do like their music too (particularly Genesis, as I don't like Jon Anderson's voice (sorry), but to me Pink Floyd are the and always will be the greatest - and this - Dark Side - is the most sublime of all.

The testiment to this, is when a teenage friend of my sons drew the pyramid in the sand on a beach holiday. Another wore a Dark Side T-shirt, and yet another was air- guitaring to TIme. This is a new generation, and they like it. I don't think they'll understand Close to The Edge (sorry Yes-men - by the way I really appreciate Rick Wakeman's Christian Faith).

For the guy who thought it was cold and only gave this 3 stars - don't play it for a year or two, read the story of Syd Barrett and how Pink Floyd then went on to develop this - understand it all, then try again - maybe it won't sound so cold anymore.

This truly is THE masterpiece (although most of the Floyd albums are, except perhaps Ummagumma). Please could I give it 6 stars?