THE WALL

Musically varied, and somewhat difficult for those hoping for a rerun of Dark Side Of The Moon or Wish You Were Here, The Wall carries some of the band's best music tucked in amongst some quite different fare from brass bands, orchestra, strings and the like, as well as the infamous contribution of a bunch of school children. But it is the story that dominates the album, a semi-autobiographical tale of the rise and fall of a rock star - Pink - and the personal hell he endures while building a metaphorical wall around himself to keep the world out.

Which one is Pink? Well, he is each one of us to some degree - I can recognize something of myself in there, which makes the story personal and poignant. The Wall can only be understood through reference to the storyline and specific lyrics, for instance 'Vera' on its own makes little sense until it is seen in context. Overall, a brilliant creation, though the live version 'Is There Anybody Out There' is now the definitve performance of this masterwork in my eyes.