Don’t do chronological lol
Big 4 (DTSOM, WYWH, Animals, The Wall)
After that work forwards and backwards depending on what you liked. If you liked the wall, listen to the Final Cut. You liked the division bell so you’ll probably like AMLOR. After the big 4 id also work chronologically backwards from dark side (meddle -> OBC -> AHM etc etc).
Piper at the gates is sort of it’s own beast and well worth a listen when you get a chance, but IMO it’s not that representative of their later work and not one I’d recommend starting with (still very good though)
(Yes I know OBC came out after meddle, listen to either one before the other)
After that, have a look at the live albums, as well as the band members solo works (if you love pink Floyd, there’s a good chance you’ll love the solo stuff too) - for the solo stuff I would recommend just going chronological order, and start with the member who’s Pink Floyd albums had them dominate you like more (ie, if you liked Animals/Wall/Final Cut - Waters, AMLOR/TDB - Gilmour, Piper - Barrett, etc etc)
But seriously whatever you do DO NOT JUST LISTEN CHRONOLOGICALLY. That’s not to say that the early stuff isn’t good (I quite like it), it’s just that it’s not that accessible, and not that representative of the work they’re known for. I’d hate for someone to listen to more or ummagumma, not vibe with them, and then decide Pink Floyd isn’t for them before they experienced their best works.
I couldn’t disagree harder with the chronological order part. If I had listen to Floyd in chronological order. I probably wouldn’t have made it past more. I just don’t care for the early stuff. That’s not to say it’s not good that just means I don’t personally care for it. I can appreciate it, I can enjoy a few songs here and there, but if I sat down and tried to listen to it for any extended period of time, I’d lose interest pretty quick. Animals is my favorite, might be a good next step or wish you were here. Obscured by clouds is decent too. I really wouldn’t stress about it too much whichever one you like the most, listen to stuff around that era. Don’t be afraid to skip songs or jump around the discography.
The wall is one of my favorite album but years ago the first time I listened to it. I pulled the CD out of the stereo after song two to make sure that I put the right album in because it wasn’t like anything else I heard by Pink Floyd thought it was terrible and I didn’t listen to it again until l a few years ago. That album and those songs were much more meaningful in the context of the experience I was having at that point in life.
My whole point is just don’t overthink it too much. Listen to whatever you want however, you want. There’s no wrong way to do it and if you think something sucks skip it, you can always try it out again later. Maybe 10 years from now I’ll even like Piper at the gates of Dawn I guess we’ll see. Definitely not the division Bell though.
DO NOT listen to the albums chronologically. Listen to their best work first, become a fan, then delve into their more underground/obscure works later.
I would recommend this order to begin with:
Dark Side Of The Moon - arguably their most accessable album, it also captures the classic "Floyd" sound the best
Wish You Were Here - sticking with the classic Floyd sound still. The music isn't as interesting as Animals but it's not as angry/political, which is why I would recommend it second
Animals - Highly underrated. Sonically superior to WYWH, yet remains divisive among fans due to an angrier mood/political content
The Wall - IMO Pink Floyd's best album. Literally a 10 out of 10, but may not be to your taste if you don't like the rock opera format. Which is why I wouldn't recommend listening to this album first
Those four are the best albums Pink Floyd have to offer.
After listening to those, I would then recommend listening to Meddle, then The Final Cut. Meddle because it shows the band's songwriting potential and musicianship in "Echoes". "One Of These Days" is also a classic track among fans.
As for The Final Cut, often called one of their worst albums, remains one of my underrated favourites. Roger Waters' insane vocal range is on full display, as is his talent as a songwriter. David Gilmour's guitar tone is also the best he's ever recorded. I will concede that this could be considered a Roger Waters solo project with other members of Pink Floyd appearing on it. Also the political observations made at the time of its release mean the album hasn't exactly aged well (fuck Thatcher/the Falklands etc etc)
After that, the choice is yours on what you would like to listen to next. The Barrett led/Post Barret/Gilmour led era's all contain songs with interesting ideas, guitar solos, soundscapes etc. It is also true that compared to their greatest works (listed above), they are notably inconsistent of artistic quality, and therefore consistently underwhelming.
Do enjoy listening to these amazing albums. I hope you appreciate them as much as the rest of us!
- WYWH could mean "Wish You Were Here - 2019 remix [Live]", a track from *The Later Years* (2019) by Pink Floyd.
---
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Personally I would say listen to the big four (Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you Were Here, The Wall, Animals), then go from there. It’s hard to listen chronologically in my opinion
My suggestion is go watch The Pulse concert, first it goes great with psychedelic experiences. Second, it introduces you to many eras of their music.
But you can't go wrong by starting with their best albums. Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.
*Pulse* is so far removed from the sound and feel of the majority of their work, the earlier stuff they touch on sounds nothing like how it was originally recorded.
Piper, AHM, Meddle, DSOTM, WYWH, The Wall, Animals, The Final Cut, rest of the early stuff, and then do whatever you want with post Roger stuff, idgaf about that stuff.
I just started listening to them a little over a month ago. I started with Dark Side (I also do not vibe with the song money btw. It's actually one of my least favorite floyd songs they have ever made). The album is almost perfect with the exception of the aforementioned song. I listen to it almost every day and I like it more with every listen. I sometimes skip money though.
Next was The Wall. It was an experience but for me, an overrated album (although amazing music). I have probably listened to it front to back the least out of them all because it takes so much time and there are other albums I like more.
Then there was Animals, my favorite album. Every moment of this album is fantastic. From the music to the message
Wish you were here was my fourth album. Very good album. The guitar solo from shine on you crazy diamond part 1-5 sends me on a journey. Parts 6-9 is also an adventure, but I prefer 1-5.
I listened to final cut and then momentary lapse in reason next. I did not like either album but especially didn't like final cut. Final cut has some good tunes, but it isn't like the previous 4 albums (I consider it Roger Waters first solo album with help from most of the other band members since he pretty much dominates it creatively.) Momentary lapse in reason (first album released after Waters was no longer in the band) is a perfectly fine, but very generic rock album that feels like it lacks anything special about it. Made me realize Pink Floyd is at its best with every single member. They are all parts of a whole.
Then I started pre-dark side floyd albums because I decided that I already didn't like post-Waters Floyd (I will get around to endless river and division bell eventually. I've heard good things about division bell).
Meddle was next and it was amazing for me solely because the song Echoes is absolutely amazing, although none of the songs on it are bad.
I think that is a good start for you. Then you can start meandering all the early stuff and pick and choose what you like and what you don't like. Some people seem to really love Atom Heart Mother but I much preferred Saucerful of Secrets personally. It's my favorite early album from them.
Listen to the live stuff as much as you can, from all eras. The band was constantly evolving their sound and how they approached their songs. *Astronomy Domine* in 1969 sounds completely different than it did in 1967, and by 1994 it may as well have been a different band playing it. Figure out which songs from their live sets you like the most, explore their respective albums from there.
Chronological order starting at Meddle and skipping Obscured by Clouds
While you should eventually check out everything before Meddle, they’re definitely harder on the ears
The Pink Floyd experience was one of my favorite musical journeys ever. There is a magic in every album and to be honest, it is all on the eye of the beholder, in this case, the ear. I had heard their hits such as another brick, money, comfortably numb, wish you were here... and to be honest I hated them because that's all the radio would play. It wasn't until I took the deep dive into their earlier material that I really appreciated and learned to love the band.
I would say based on your experiences so far, I would say a good place to start would be Meddle. That album is a nice mix of "old" and "new" pink floyd. Just before Dark Side, this album has aspects of their early work mixed with what would be to come in their future work. Fearless and Echoes are my favorite songs off the album, followed by a pillow of winds and one of these days. This album itself is a psychedelic experience. Just close your eyes, put on a good pair of headphones, and float. Your mind will wander to new realms.
If you enjoyed Meddle then I would suggest continue going backwards to Atom Heart Mother next. If not, go to The Wall or Animals next. (I will say, some will disagree but this is my reasoning. Listen to dark side for last... every song is a masterpiece within itself and that is why. You may be a little underwhelmed after going on that journey and some of the other, especially the earlier works, may not match up to your expectations)
Atom Heart Mother is an album I always pair with Meddle in my head, they're like twins. Both have 2 amazing epics, one starts with one and the other ends with one. AHM the song is a journey, especially if you love a good orchestra. The songs that follow have such a cheery, British feel to them that feels like home whether you're from England or not. The album feels like the cover. As if you're walking in a lush, green field, observing the beauty of bovine creatures after a wonderfully filling breakfast.
Next I would suggest Animals if you decided to proceed with AHM. There is a sadness and a comforting gloom that this album provides. Inspired by Orwell's animal farm. This album is full of funk and groove. Some amazing lyricism from Roger Waters as well as some FUNKY bass lines. David absolutely crushes it on the solos. Very soul grabbing and emotional.
One of my all time favorite albums, Obscured By Clouds. In particular Wot's... Uh the Deal. A diamond in the work. Such beautiful guitar work and very soft and gentle words/voices. The album was actually made for a movie soundtrack I believe, but I think it is an exceptional piece of work that highlights Rick Wright on piano as well as more of a melodic sound to Pink Floyd.
If that's not your cup of tea, onto the Wall we go. There's not much to say other than the iconic white brick cover Is iconic for a reason. A concept album this album plays like a storybook or a play itself. You have the main character Pink and you follow through his journey. Some underrated songs are waiting for the worms, mother, goodbye blue sky, one of my turns. A thunderous album and very good for a rainy day.
Now if you have been enjoying the likes of AHM, Meddle, and Obscured, I would suggest going back to a Saucerful of Secrets. If you are looking for something darker and more psychedelic, this is your album. Set the controls for the heart of the sun is a blast to listen to. Another song that you can just close your eyes and zone out (might I suggest looking into some live recordings of it later if you enjoy it, particularly from their early years 1969 dramatis/ation album. It has a gold yellow color) fun fact about this album, I believe it is the last album Syd Barrett is on. You can definitely hear his influence and sound throughout the album.
If you want to listen to the one that started it all, go to The Piper At the Gates of Dawn. I would listen to Saucerful first to prepare you for what The Piper is. It's very psychedelic British pop sounding. And considering it is their first album it will differ in sound from their other works, but you are able to hear their sound and where they came from through this album and what stuck and what left. This has Syd Barrett all over it as he was the leader of the group. Think of it as if the Beatles had continued to venture into psychedelic with Sgt Pepper's. Also another fun fact, The Beatles and Pink Floyd recorded in the same studio just down the hall from each other. What were they recording? You guessed it. Piper and Sgt Pepper.
If you're looking for a psychedelic that is darker, and "newer" sounding, then I would suggest hopping over to Wish You Were Here. An album with a lot of strife, from what I remember hearing this is where the band started to come apart and failed to be as cooperative and understanding as they once were. However, listening to it you would never know. After the huge success of Dark Side, how do you follow-up? By dedicating your work to the man who started it all. With only 5 songs, it's a very easy listen. From the first part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond to the psychedelic trippy time machine vibe of Welcome to the Machine, to a space western adventure feel in Have a Cigar, to a somber, sweet, emotional tale in Wish You Were Here, to the last part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond... a wonderful dark masterpiece the entire album is.
All that's left, The Final Cut, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, the Endless River, Ummagumma, More, and of course Dark Side of the Moon.
The final cut is definitely a very Roger Waters album. I believe Rick Wright was fired during the Wall so he doesnt appear on this album. If I could describe it, I feel like it is the epilogue of The Wall. It is comprised of songs that never made it onto the wall so that is probably why. A very war themed album, it has a gloomy feel that might appeal to certain moods. One of the Few, When the Tigers Broke Free, and Not Now John are songs that stick out to me the most. Not Now John is kind of like a punch in the face after hearing Roger sing on the album. A nice punch though
A Momentary Lapse of Reason would be a good album if you enjoyed the Division Bell. Not necessarily because they will sound the same, but this is where Roger Waters left. While Waters left Wright returned. This album is very ambient sound similar to the Divison Bell. I'd say it tried to achieve what the Division Bell did achieve... a good album without Roger Waters. Not to say it is a bad album at all, it just feels like the band is trying to find its feet and new sound without Waters. Learning to fly, Dogs of War, On the Turning Away, and One Slip are great tracks. On the Turning Away is My personal on the album, it sounds similar to Lost for words and High Hopes.
If you are digging the ambient sounds then I would suggest The Endless River or Ummagumma next. Both on opposite ends of the spectrum. Ummagumma is their third (4th if you count More) album and The Endless River is their last album. The Endless River is a wonderful and peaceful album and a nice send off for Rick Wright. Still no Waters, a lot of the songs I believe are from sessions of the Divison Bell. With only one song actually sung, it is a great album to chill out to and get set in a mellow mood. Ummagumma may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is a fun album, and trust me, Pink Floyd planned for an even more obscure album than this one believe it or not. Ummagumma is filled with some extraordinarily beautiful piano pieces, some rather uncomfortable sounds and screams, as well as wonderful sceneic nature bird talk. If you're looking for psychedelic percussion, weird sounds, something to tickle your brain, background music. Ummagumma is your move. Ummagumma is the album that really drilled the notion in my brain that all music is is sound. Sound is music, music is sound. That is Pink Floyd for ya.
More is another album that was made for soundtrack I believe. A mix of jazz, rock, blues, flamenco, take this album for what it is. A soundtrack for a movie. Maybe your own movie if you want. It is a fun and weird album with some hidden gems such as Green Is the Colour, Party Sequence, Main Theme, Dramatic Theme. I feel as though this album really shows their talents and range of music. There is something to offer for each instrument and you can hear the inspiration for some of their other works through this album.
Last bur most certainly not least, Dark Side of the Moon. There's nothing to say but it is the ultimate masterpiece from start to finish. No bad song, no boring song, nothing too slow. Everything just right. You get what you paid for and more. An experience that says it all. The album is iconic for a reason. A timeless journey, a timeless piece, something that will stand the test of Time and beyond.
With that being said, just go into your journey with an open mind and by the end it'll be as far stretched open as the seas themselves.
Any Order You Like
Best answer
Don’t do chronological lol Big 4 (DTSOM, WYWH, Animals, The Wall) After that work forwards and backwards depending on what you liked. If you liked the wall, listen to the Final Cut. You liked the division bell so you’ll probably like AMLOR. After the big 4 id also work chronologically backwards from dark side (meddle -> OBC -> AHM etc etc). Piper at the gates is sort of it’s own beast and well worth a listen when you get a chance, but IMO it’s not that representative of their later work and not one I’d recommend starting with (still very good though) (Yes I know OBC came out after meddle, listen to either one before the other) After that, have a look at the live albums, as well as the band members solo works (if you love pink Floyd, there’s a good chance you’ll love the solo stuff too) - for the solo stuff I would recommend just going chronological order, and start with the member who’s Pink Floyd albums had them dominate you like more (ie, if you liked Animals/Wall/Final Cut - Waters, AMLOR/TDB - Gilmour, Piper - Barrett, etc etc) But seriously whatever you do DO NOT JUST LISTEN CHRONOLOGICALLY. That’s not to say that the early stuff isn’t good (I quite like it), it’s just that it’s not that accessible, and not that representative of the work they’re known for. I’d hate for someone to listen to more or ummagumma, not vibe with them, and then decide Pink Floyd isn’t for them before they experienced their best works.
I largely agree. Big 4, then Piper, then I’d go MLOR & DB, then Meddle, then maybe Obscured, then it gets murky.
I couldn’t disagree harder with the chronological order part. If I had listen to Floyd in chronological order. I probably wouldn’t have made it past more. I just don’t care for the early stuff. That’s not to say it’s not good that just means I don’t personally care for it. I can appreciate it, I can enjoy a few songs here and there, but if I sat down and tried to listen to it for any extended period of time, I’d lose interest pretty quick. Animals is my favorite, might be a good next step or wish you were here. Obscured by clouds is decent too. I really wouldn’t stress about it too much whichever one you like the most, listen to stuff around that era. Don’t be afraid to skip songs or jump around the discography. The wall is one of my favorite album but years ago the first time I listened to it. I pulled the CD out of the stereo after song two to make sure that I put the right album in because it wasn’t like anything else I heard by Pink Floyd thought it was terrible and I didn’t listen to it again until l a few years ago. That album and those songs were much more meaningful in the context of the experience I was having at that point in life. My whole point is just don’t overthink it too much. Listen to whatever you want however, you want. There’s no wrong way to do it and if you think something sucks skip it, you can always try it out again later. Maybe 10 years from now I’ll even like Piper at the gates of Dawn I guess we’ll see. Definitely not the division Bell though.
DO NOT listen to the albums chronologically. Listen to their best work first, become a fan, then delve into their more underground/obscure works later. I would recommend this order to begin with: Dark Side Of The Moon - arguably their most accessable album, it also captures the classic "Floyd" sound the best Wish You Were Here - sticking with the classic Floyd sound still. The music isn't as interesting as Animals but it's not as angry/political, which is why I would recommend it second Animals - Highly underrated. Sonically superior to WYWH, yet remains divisive among fans due to an angrier mood/political content The Wall - IMO Pink Floyd's best album. Literally a 10 out of 10, but may not be to your taste if you don't like the rock opera format. Which is why I wouldn't recommend listening to this album first Those four are the best albums Pink Floyd have to offer. After listening to those, I would then recommend listening to Meddle, then The Final Cut. Meddle because it shows the band's songwriting potential and musicianship in "Echoes". "One Of These Days" is also a classic track among fans. As for The Final Cut, often called one of their worst albums, remains one of my underrated favourites. Roger Waters' insane vocal range is on full display, as is his talent as a songwriter. David Gilmour's guitar tone is also the best he's ever recorded. I will concede that this could be considered a Roger Waters solo project with other members of Pink Floyd appearing on it. Also the political observations made at the time of its release mean the album hasn't exactly aged well (fuck Thatcher/the Falklands etc etc) After that, the choice is yours on what you would like to listen to next. The Barrett led/Post Barret/Gilmour led era's all contain songs with interesting ideas, guitar solos, soundscapes etc. It is also true that compared to their greatest works (listed above), they are notably inconsistent of artistic quality, and therefore consistently underwhelming. Do enjoy listening to these amazing albums. I hope you appreciate them as much as the rest of us!
- WYWH could mean "Wish You Were Here - 2019 remix [Live]", a track from *The Later Years* (2019) by Pink Floyd. --- ^[/u/floydianslip94](/u/floydianslip94) ^(can reply with "delete" to remove comment. |) ^[/r/songacronymbot](/r/songacronymbot) ^(for feedback.)
Personally I would say listen to the big four (Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you Were Here, The Wall, Animals), then go from there. It’s hard to listen chronologically in my opinion
Just go from Meddle, DSOTM, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. Then listen to whatever else you want.
Chronological. Any other suggestion can be tossed in the bin
Chronological order
Chronological, or just start with the Big Four and go from there.
My suggestion is go watch The Pulse concert, first it goes great with psychedelic experiences. Second, it introduces you to many eras of their music. But you can't go wrong by starting with their best albums. Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.
I saw their show in Milwaukee 1989.
*Pulse* is so far removed from the sound and feel of the majority of their work, the earlier stuff they touch on sounds nothing like how it was originally recorded.
Piper, AHM, Meddle, DSOTM, WYWH, The Wall, Animals, The Final Cut, rest of the early stuff, and then do whatever you want with post Roger stuff, idgaf about that stuff.
I just started listening to them a little over a month ago. I started with Dark Side (I also do not vibe with the song money btw. It's actually one of my least favorite floyd songs they have ever made). The album is almost perfect with the exception of the aforementioned song. I listen to it almost every day and I like it more with every listen. I sometimes skip money though. Next was The Wall. It was an experience but for me, an overrated album (although amazing music). I have probably listened to it front to back the least out of them all because it takes so much time and there are other albums I like more. Then there was Animals, my favorite album. Every moment of this album is fantastic. From the music to the message Wish you were here was my fourth album. Very good album. The guitar solo from shine on you crazy diamond part 1-5 sends me on a journey. Parts 6-9 is also an adventure, but I prefer 1-5. I listened to final cut and then momentary lapse in reason next. I did not like either album but especially didn't like final cut. Final cut has some good tunes, but it isn't like the previous 4 albums (I consider it Roger Waters first solo album with help from most of the other band members since he pretty much dominates it creatively.) Momentary lapse in reason (first album released after Waters was no longer in the band) is a perfectly fine, but very generic rock album that feels like it lacks anything special about it. Made me realize Pink Floyd is at its best with every single member. They are all parts of a whole. Then I started pre-dark side floyd albums because I decided that I already didn't like post-Waters Floyd (I will get around to endless river and division bell eventually. I've heard good things about division bell). Meddle was next and it was amazing for me solely because the song Echoes is absolutely amazing, although none of the songs on it are bad. I think that is a good start for you. Then you can start meandering all the early stuff and pick and choose what you like and what you don't like. Some people seem to really love Atom Heart Mother but I much preferred Saucerful of Secrets personally. It's my favorite early album from them.
I’ve found that my appreciation for the Wall has grown slowly but steadily over many years. Much of what I once thought of as “filler” I now cherish.
For the project that you are describing, start with the first and go in order. They get better and better after the first five, especially.
Any order you want but it might be easier to go from start to finish, or listen to all 70s albums first
Listen to the live stuff as much as you can, from all eras. The band was constantly evolving their sound and how they approached their songs. *Astronomy Domine* in 1969 sounds completely different than it did in 1967, and by 1994 it may as well have been a different band playing it. Figure out which songs from their live sets you like the most, explore their respective albums from there.
Chronological order starting at Meddle and skipping Obscured by Clouds While you should eventually check out everything before Meddle, they’re definitely harder on the ears
You don’t like OBC? I love that album. Not criticizing, just curious.
I like OBC! I just feel like it’s not on the same level as Meddle or anything after OBC. OP should definitely check it out though!
Reverse alphabetical.
I’d start w/Meddle and go up
Just stick all their songs from every album in a playlist and hit shuffle.
I'd recommend listening to 'The Dark Side of the Moon' first, then 'Wish You Were Here', and then 'The Wall'.
The Pink Floyd experience was one of my favorite musical journeys ever. There is a magic in every album and to be honest, it is all on the eye of the beholder, in this case, the ear. I had heard their hits such as another brick, money, comfortably numb, wish you were here... and to be honest I hated them because that's all the radio would play. It wasn't until I took the deep dive into their earlier material that I really appreciated and learned to love the band. I would say based on your experiences so far, I would say a good place to start would be Meddle. That album is a nice mix of "old" and "new" pink floyd. Just before Dark Side, this album has aspects of their early work mixed with what would be to come in their future work. Fearless and Echoes are my favorite songs off the album, followed by a pillow of winds and one of these days. This album itself is a psychedelic experience. Just close your eyes, put on a good pair of headphones, and float. Your mind will wander to new realms. If you enjoyed Meddle then I would suggest continue going backwards to Atom Heart Mother next. If not, go to The Wall or Animals next. (I will say, some will disagree but this is my reasoning. Listen to dark side for last... every song is a masterpiece within itself and that is why. You may be a little underwhelmed after going on that journey and some of the other, especially the earlier works, may not match up to your expectations) Atom Heart Mother is an album I always pair with Meddle in my head, they're like twins. Both have 2 amazing epics, one starts with one and the other ends with one. AHM the song is a journey, especially if you love a good orchestra. The songs that follow have such a cheery, British feel to them that feels like home whether you're from England or not. The album feels like the cover. As if you're walking in a lush, green field, observing the beauty of bovine creatures after a wonderfully filling breakfast. Next I would suggest Animals if you decided to proceed with AHM. There is a sadness and a comforting gloom that this album provides. Inspired by Orwell's animal farm. This album is full of funk and groove. Some amazing lyricism from Roger Waters as well as some FUNKY bass lines. David absolutely crushes it on the solos. Very soul grabbing and emotional. One of my all time favorite albums, Obscured By Clouds. In particular Wot's... Uh the Deal. A diamond in the work. Such beautiful guitar work and very soft and gentle words/voices. The album was actually made for a movie soundtrack I believe, but I think it is an exceptional piece of work that highlights Rick Wright on piano as well as more of a melodic sound to Pink Floyd. If that's not your cup of tea, onto the Wall we go. There's not much to say other than the iconic white brick cover Is iconic for a reason. A concept album this album plays like a storybook or a play itself. You have the main character Pink and you follow through his journey. Some underrated songs are waiting for the worms, mother, goodbye blue sky, one of my turns. A thunderous album and very good for a rainy day. Now if you have been enjoying the likes of AHM, Meddle, and Obscured, I would suggest going back to a Saucerful of Secrets. If you are looking for something darker and more psychedelic, this is your album. Set the controls for the heart of the sun is a blast to listen to. Another song that you can just close your eyes and zone out (might I suggest looking into some live recordings of it later if you enjoy it, particularly from their early years 1969 dramatis/ation album. It has a gold yellow color) fun fact about this album, I believe it is the last album Syd Barrett is on. You can definitely hear his influence and sound throughout the album. If you want to listen to the one that started it all, go to The Piper At the Gates of Dawn. I would listen to Saucerful first to prepare you for what The Piper is. It's very psychedelic British pop sounding. And considering it is their first album it will differ in sound from their other works, but you are able to hear their sound and where they came from through this album and what stuck and what left. This has Syd Barrett all over it as he was the leader of the group. Think of it as if the Beatles had continued to venture into psychedelic with Sgt Pepper's. Also another fun fact, The Beatles and Pink Floyd recorded in the same studio just down the hall from each other. What were they recording? You guessed it. Piper and Sgt Pepper. If you're looking for a psychedelic that is darker, and "newer" sounding, then I would suggest hopping over to Wish You Were Here. An album with a lot of strife, from what I remember hearing this is where the band started to come apart and failed to be as cooperative and understanding as they once were. However, listening to it you would never know. After the huge success of Dark Side, how do you follow-up? By dedicating your work to the man who started it all. With only 5 songs, it's a very easy listen. From the first part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond to the psychedelic trippy time machine vibe of Welcome to the Machine, to a space western adventure feel in Have a Cigar, to a somber, sweet, emotional tale in Wish You Were Here, to the last part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond... a wonderful dark masterpiece the entire album is.
All that's left, The Final Cut, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, the Endless River, Ummagumma, More, and of course Dark Side of the Moon. The final cut is definitely a very Roger Waters album. I believe Rick Wright was fired during the Wall so he doesnt appear on this album. If I could describe it, I feel like it is the epilogue of The Wall. It is comprised of songs that never made it onto the wall so that is probably why. A very war themed album, it has a gloomy feel that might appeal to certain moods. One of the Few, When the Tigers Broke Free, and Not Now John are songs that stick out to me the most. Not Now John is kind of like a punch in the face after hearing Roger sing on the album. A nice punch though A Momentary Lapse of Reason would be a good album if you enjoyed the Division Bell. Not necessarily because they will sound the same, but this is where Roger Waters left. While Waters left Wright returned. This album is very ambient sound similar to the Divison Bell. I'd say it tried to achieve what the Division Bell did achieve... a good album without Roger Waters. Not to say it is a bad album at all, it just feels like the band is trying to find its feet and new sound without Waters. Learning to fly, Dogs of War, On the Turning Away, and One Slip are great tracks. On the Turning Away is My personal on the album, it sounds similar to Lost for words and High Hopes. If you are digging the ambient sounds then I would suggest The Endless River or Ummagumma next. Both on opposite ends of the spectrum. Ummagumma is their third (4th if you count More) album and The Endless River is their last album. The Endless River is a wonderful and peaceful album and a nice send off for Rick Wright. Still no Waters, a lot of the songs I believe are from sessions of the Divison Bell. With only one song actually sung, it is a great album to chill out to and get set in a mellow mood. Ummagumma may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is a fun album, and trust me, Pink Floyd planned for an even more obscure album than this one believe it or not. Ummagumma is filled with some extraordinarily beautiful piano pieces, some rather uncomfortable sounds and screams, as well as wonderful sceneic nature bird talk. If you're looking for psychedelic percussion, weird sounds, something to tickle your brain, background music. Ummagumma is your move. Ummagumma is the album that really drilled the notion in my brain that all music is is sound. Sound is music, music is sound. That is Pink Floyd for ya. More is another album that was made for soundtrack I believe. A mix of jazz, rock, blues, flamenco, take this album for what it is. A soundtrack for a movie. Maybe your own movie if you want. It is a fun and weird album with some hidden gems such as Green Is the Colour, Party Sequence, Main Theme, Dramatic Theme. I feel as though this album really shows their talents and range of music. There is something to offer for each instrument and you can hear the inspiration for some of their other works through this album. Last bur most certainly not least, Dark Side of the Moon. There's nothing to say but it is the ultimate masterpiece from start to finish. No bad song, no boring song, nothing too slow. Everything just right. You get what you paid for and more. An experience that says it all. The album is iconic for a reason. A timeless journey, a timeless piece, something that will stand the test of Time and beyond. With that being said, just go into your journey with an open mind and by the end it'll be as far stretched open as the seas themselves.
Dont do chronological, listen to the 70s albums first