"Nobody knows where you are,
How near or how far.
Shine on you crazy diamond" - from "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part Two)"
Thus encapsulates the central feelings of Pink Floyd's 1975 release in regards to founding member Syd Barrett. By that time, the former frontman had drifted into mental illness possibly caused, or at least accelerated, by a daily overconsumption of psychedelic drugs. The band had successfully evolved to exist without him by the release of Wish You Were Here, yet his influences were still present. In this sort of 'ode', Wish You Were Here finds the band exploring, questioning and lamenting the state of mind of Barrett. What could he still ascertain? Was he a victim of the recording industry's corporate machine? The issues, though revolving around Barrett, were also penned by Roger Waters to have a broader sense of application. One needn't be mentally dissolving to experience feelings of alienation, exploitation and betrayal.
Even with lyrics aside, however, the album is a gem. The music is simply stunning. The opening track goes nearly nine minutes before a single word is sung, but its absence is never felt. With their signature spacey sound (perfected on the previous release The Dark Side of the Moon), David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright remove you from normalcy and transport you onto a plain of thought provoking enlightenment. The band does come back to earth for the title track though. With a much different musical vibe from the rest of the album, "Wish You Were Here" anchors the album and remains one of Floyd's must beloved classics. "We're just two lost souls, swimming in a fish…". Well I'm sure you know the lyrics already...
Some list Wish You Were Here as Pink Floyd's greatest album while others don't rank it in the top three. What do you think? Join "Album Night" on Wednesday, July 15 and make your case!
How near or how far.
Shine on you crazy diamond" - from "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part Two)"
Thus encapsulates the central feelings of Pink Floyd's 1975 release in regards to founding member Syd Barrett. By that time, the former frontman had drifted into mental illness possibly caused, or at least accelerated, by a daily overconsumption of psychedelic drugs. The band had successfully evolved to exist without him by the release of Wish You Were Here, yet his influences were still present. In this sort of 'ode', Wish You Were Here finds the band exploring, questioning and lamenting the state of mind of Barrett. What could he still ascertain? Was he a victim of the recording industry's corporate machine? The issues, though revolving around Barrett, were also penned by Roger Waters to have a broader sense of application. One needn't be mentally dissolving to experience feelings of alienation, exploitation and betrayal.
Even with lyrics aside, however, the album is a gem. The music is simply stunning. The opening track goes nearly nine minutes before a single word is sung, but its absence is never felt. With their signature spacey sound (perfected on the previous release The Dark Side of the Moon), David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright remove you from normalcy and transport you onto a plain of thought provoking enlightenment. The band does come back to earth for the title track though. With a much different musical vibe from the rest of the album, "Wish You Were Here" anchors the album and remains one of Floyd's must beloved classics. "We're just two lost souls, swimming in a fish…". Well I'm sure you know the lyrics already...
Some list Wish You Were Here as Pink Floyd's greatest album while others don't rank it in the top three. What do you think? Join "Album Night" on Wednesday, July 15 and make your case!