The Dark Side of the Moon

I first heard this album back in 1982 and was awestruck. It was on a tape backed with Wish You Were Here and although Wish became my all time favourite album (Floyd's 1975 follow up release) as soon as one side finished it would be turned over. Both albums are compulsive listening.

Many articles have been written about DSOTM explaining how it was recorded using sound effects (cash tills, clocks etc); interviews (questions on flashcards requiring one sentence answers) and the use of a new type of synthesiser: VCS3. This devise was used widely on the album and unlike a lot of current releases its sound has not aged the album.

The albums theme basically deal with things that drive a person insane. Money, war, power, time, death and constant worrying help make this most depressing of albums an absolute gem. Roger Waters wrote all the lyrics and as he was only 22 at the time he must have been inspired. The words hold true today. Indeed, on The Division Bell tour 1995, DSOTM was played live in it's entirety by a Waters-less Floyd. Refer to Pulse album/video. For me the live version was OK but 'Money' was still as awful as it was on Delicate Sound Of Thunder.

If your introduction to Floyd was with the Echoes compilation then you will already have 4 of the 10 titles. You will know what sound to expect and the style of lyrics. So why should you want to buy this 40 minute album. Well admittedly the 2 standout tracks on the album are Time and Money but the record is a concept album and as such should be listened to as a continuous piece. For me what Echoes doesn't contain really should be owned. Brain Damage, Eclipse and Breathe have brilliant lyrics and Speak To Me (Written by Waters but credited to Mason for a birthday present) and On The Run are great sound montages. The overall sound fuses rock/soul/space rock and stereophonic confusion.

The album was mixed back in '73 in stereo and quadraphonic, today it sounds awesome through surround sound as well as on headphones. The digitally remastered version really does sound far superior to the first CD releases. You can tell the difference between CDs as the original followed the original vinyl cover with its' hollow prism and painted spectrum as opposed to the real photo with the intruding laser. For me the original vinyl package with its gatefold sleeve, posters and stickers was only bettered by Wish You Were Here (Floyd's '75 release) in the history of album sleeves. I'm showing my age here. The reason to make a fuss of the cover is that it has been described as "'The World's second most famous record sleeve". Presumably The Beatles 'Sgt Pepper...' is the first.

The album is a superb Floyd juxtaposition with melancholy lyrics set to great bouncy or big (as in colossal sounding) tunes. I guess if I had to say that the Floyd had a trademark then that would be it. Anyway 30 million depressed customers can't be wrong! If you like DSOTM then checkout Floyd's Obscured By Clouds (1972) which was recorded and released between DSOTM sessions and Wish You Were Here.

Thanx for reading.