THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Released in March 1, 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon is the best album of Pink Floyd and (arguably) of progressive rock. During the seven months the band spent at Abbey Road, they produced a concept album whose comparisons to Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz are not unfair: the record is a psychedelic journey that pleased even those who were not prog rock enthusiasts. Made under a less tumultuous climate than later Floyd albums, here we have the creative peak of the partnership of Roger Waters and David Gilmour - without, of course, belittling the contributions of Wright and Mason. It's hard to talk about highlights on an album that was meant to be heard in its entirety. The fact is that it is perfect from start to finish. However, it is worth saying that "Breathe" (whose theme is alienation), "Time" (a treatise on "quiet desperation" which is the ephemerality of life), "Money" (full of ironies to materialism and consumerism) and "Brain Damage" (a beautiful song about madness; it seems to be a tribute to Syd Barrett) are my favorites.

"There is something particularly fascinating about the fact that the album that allowed Pink Floyd to break free was partly inspired by [Syd] Barrett's fate. (...) Nor are there many examples of albums defined by a central concept that have became so long-lasting. (...) Pink Floyd, for its eternal recognition, chose to deal with universal themes (...), such as death, insanity, opulence, poverty, war and peace (...) that, for their characteristics, they would maintain their longevity long after the album was finished - and the band's bond broken. " (John Harris, "The Dark Side of the Moon", 2006)