1) the Syd Barrett era. They were a psychedelic pop / experimental band, led by charismatic singer / songwriter / guitarist Syd Barrett. They had 1 album (Piper at the Gates of Dawn), and several singles. I like this era a lot. Try listening to Arnold Layne, Lucifer Sam, See Emily Play...
2) Middle period - after Syd went nuts, they brought in Dave Gilmour to replace him. Everyone tried their hand at writing songs, and it took some time to get their footing. This is a more introspective, laid back period, and when they did those sound track albums people are talking about. They were in the top 40, but not really stars yet. The culmination of this era was the movie Live at Pompeii.
3) Roger Waters era - bass player Waters wrote an entire album of songs about madness and alienation, this was Dark Side of the Moon, their most popular album, which propelled Pink Floyd to the top of the charts. Waters had developed into a genius song writer, but with each successive album, became more domineering and difficult to work with. These albums tended to be ambitious concept albums, dark and disturbing, in contrast to the laid back vibe of the previous era. The last 2 Waters albums, The Wall and Final Cut were essentially Waters solo albums, and at the end, half the band had departed.
3) Dave Gilmour era - Waters went solo, and expected the band to end, but Gilmour decided to bring back the 2 ousted members of the band, and continue as Pink Floyd. This period isn't very interesting IMO.
So my personal tastes: I find The Wall and most of the Waters-era albums kind of overpowering and negative. I prefer the Barrett stuff, as well as Live at Pompeii. YMMV...
If you have and still don’t like Floyd, that’s ok.
They are amazing musicians, pioneers of psychedelic rock, modern studio recording, and storytelling through long play albums.
Imagine buying this LP in 1973 when there was far far less entertainment options in general. Fast forward to now and it still sounds fresh and modern and transports me somewhere else for an hour.
I'm a huge fan as you can see from elsewhere in the thread, but they actually kind of weren't. At least, they weren't particularly virtuosic musicians. Which I think led them to be ultimately more interesting and adventurous.
I think we agree…
They unlocked something as a band where the musical sum is greater than the individual parts, which makes them special.
Waters was an average bass player (but outstanding lyricist) and Mason I guess was an average drummer but they weren't really writing tempo-based pieces.
Do agree though that their sum was greater than their parts (but their parts weren't too shabby).
If you're just looking for "part of a song" to get you hooked, then maybe it's not for you. You don't need to be on drugs and I'd say it's combination of lyrics and music (but probably more music part, because they do have some great songs with few or no lyrics).
Once you’ve done that then you can enjoy listening to the music by itself.
Good pick IMO.
Narratively, it evokes stories of Syd Barrett's increasing inability / refusal to function as part of the band. Syd was like the archetype of the creative genius who flew too close to the sun and crashed to Earth, leaving the band after 1.5 albums.
Roger Waters sings the verses, David Gilmour sings the choruses. The song went through multiple iterations and was apparently more or less the end of their ability to work productively together. I'm left pretty cold by both musicians' solo outputs, but together they were an absolutely brilliant team. This is one a few tracks where they switch vocals mid-song, all of which I love.
The choruses touch on the theme of a lost youth. Over the years the band had three main songwriters (maybe four if you count Rick Wright), and they all leant heavily into this area. It's classic Floyd territory.
The closing solo is just deathlessly epic. If I had to cite one thing that made me want to learn to play guitar, it'd be that solo. Still sounds incredible 40 years and an almost entirely unsuccessful musical career later.
But maybe it's just not ralusek's cup of tea and that's fine. Also sometimes it's the fate of brilliant things that they get copied so much it's hard to see what the fuss was about.
Some people like the lyrics, I think Roger Waters bloviates too much. Weed certainly makes it more enjoyable, but it isn't necessary.
But let's say you don't like those two. Another great whole-life-story-of-a-person song is Time. It sums up a majority of people's lives. You go through your life trying to figure out what you need/want to do in life...and then it's over, you never figured it out. Great introspection song. Makes you ask yourself...
I just love the music, the lyrics, the points being made. And I am a big fan of whole albums. I dont like singles much. I want songs that blend into each other, an hour long experience. That is why I like Pink Floyd so much.
It helps. ;-)
IMO here are some of the more "accessible" Pink Floyd songs:
Money from Dark Side of the Moon
Wish You Were Here (title track)
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (AKA We don't need no education) and Hey You from The Wall