WISH YOU WERE HERE

You could see the album Wish You Were Here as one of the big three Floyd albums by prog fans (along with Dark Side and Animals). For me, this is not the number 1 album. I consider it less solid, more flaws than the other two. Though Shine On is my second favourite Pink Floyd song ever and all in all this is a very clear 5-star for me.

The cut-off is one of the greatest experiences you can find, almost cinematicly tension-building. Also the melodies of the solos will always stay very interesting. The beginning of this masterpiece is the ultimate Floyd part, saying so much with so few. Then when you enter the room of the Barret theme, you hear the musicians playing together outstandingly. You can check that this track is perfect by posing yourself the question: "Could I change some notes and so improve the song?". Nope, it's perfect: from the perfectly timed drums (probably my favourite Mason song), to the excellently played keys... and just everything else. Who wouldn't like a tribute made for him like this? Also it serves as a perfect solution as follow-up on Dark Side Of The Moon, being a longer an slightly more complex track.

After a two-part sax solo, we're slowly taken away by some robotic sound-effects, as Welcome To The Machine. Rogers theatrical dramatisation mixed with innovative sounds and critical lyrics make this song very moving. This song too, is perfectly played. To bad though, that the concept of this song (and the upcoming two) is not the same as Shine On and that it takes just a little too long. I have to say though, that it contains one of the greatest rythmic experiences of the album.

The next, "Have A Cigar", is the weakest off the album, and it kind of bores me. Firstly, choosing a different singer wasn't a good choice in my honest opinion. Also it offers a little too few to keep me motivated to listen intensively, even Dave's solo isn't quite satisfying. Ok, the lyrics are good though and the fast Hi-Hats make it sound a little more fresh.

Let's switch to a different radio station, where we can calm down, relax and where we wait 1 minute before we hear something really interesting again. Well, it's defenitely one of the most emotional songs though. Vocals with a lot of feeling and moving lyrics. A very fine song, except for the solo, which is to me quite distracting.

Finally, we end the album with the other half of the epic. I think this is the best part, although it will always remain very difficult to choose for a favourite half. To this track I can listen forever. I think it flows more fluid through all kinds of atmospheres; with much more direction. Let's point out why I like this track so much. Most days, the 6/8 bars in this song are my favourite Floyd bars ever. Also the guitar speaks more to me, even more than the first of this album. Not to forget the reprise of the singing part, which is much better than in the first half. Oh and those light guitar notes right after the singing section tickles my ears so sweet! The jazzy section sounds like four musicians having so much fun and pleasure in improvising together, I can just see them all smiling! Rick has the honour of topping this album off with a last tribute to Syd which has always been a goosebump moment all the way, and the last Barret hint always leaves me with a smile on my face.

Needless to say that this masterpiece of prog well deserves 5 stars.