WISH YOU WERE HERE

Truly a masterpiece album, even though it was released more then 30 years ago. The greatness of this album also reflected by the high appreciation from the listeners, despite the experience with Pink Floyd's music. This really happens to me, considering I'm somewhat new to Pink Floyd. Actually, about 4 or 5 years ago, my dad introduced me to Pink Floyd, The Dark Side Of The Moon album. However, as a kid, I was not really into progressive rock, but now I can appreciate it much more than that.

It is somewhat hard for me to give a high rating for this album, because probably you would think that I give a high rating because of "the Pink Floyd's album" rather than "the album I like".

So, Wish You Were Here was released in 1975, and is Pink Floyd's ninth studio album (if I counted correctly :) ), just after another great album, Dark Side Of The Moon. At that time, the personnel of Pink Floyd were Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. This album is considered as one of the best album in progressive rock world, and of course, among Pink Floyd's album. It is just amazing, that other progressive rock band, Marillion, which is hugely influenced by Pink Floyd, has an album called also Wish You Were Here with a same concept cover album with slightly difference.

Probably my two favorite tracks are Shine On You Crazy Diamond part 1 and Wish You Were Here. Shine On You Crazy Diamond is a really cool and nice song, with a sax sound in the end of the song, creating an even nicer element. I read on many articles, this song originally was a tribute to Syd Barrett (R.I.P). There is a story about the recording of this track. When they (Waters, Gilmour, Mason and Wright) recorded this track, Syd Barret came and sat very close to Gilmour. However, they didn't recognize him because he was very different, probably because of the drug addictions and the studio was full with tears. "Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond".

Welcome To The Machine is a "darker" song than Shine On You Crazy Diamond pt.1. The overall song is pretty monotone, like verse, chorus, solo, verse, chorus, sort of things. However, the solo parts are just "strange", but great, very progressive, well deserved 5 stars, especially the last solo.

Have A Cigar has the best guitar rhythm and solo among all other songs on the album. The rhythm is just groovy and very dynamic, along with the drum parts. One great thing is, the keyboard part often synchronized with guitar part, very good indeed. As a progressive metal listener, I would say that the guitar solo is not that "virtuoso", but techniques are not everything, as long as the feeling is great and fit the song. A truly amazing song.

Another great song, "How I wish, how I wish you were here.", The music is just very simple, compared to other songs on the album, an acoustic guitar, simple drum riffs and keyboard as a background sound. These simple things create a profound song, which has very deep feeling.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond pt.2 has more instrumental part, but with the same structure as the first part. The instrumental part in the end of the song is kinda divided into two; the first part is more jazzy and groovy with dynamics music. The second part is more "cool" and slow, a great way to end the album. Oh, one thing about the first instrumental part I told you, the bass riffs are just very cool, just great.

So, 5 stars is what this album deserved. Just like I said before, I'm somewhat new to older progressive rock, but then this album has made a hug impact on me that I start to love older prog as much as newer prog.

Keep On Proggin' In the Free World.

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