Oh by the way how about Pink Floyd

[Rabin105]

Which version of Pink Floyd do you like

[bjm0rwo]

I voted for the Water's era.I just bought Meddle and Atom Heart Mother.I seem to be in a Floyd mode right now for some reason.I'm thinking of working my way backwards from these 2,in which I loved listening to in my youth,and checking out some Barret era stuff which I am not very knowledgable as of yet.

[RobAdams]

I'm most fond of the period you are calling the Waters period. UMMAGUMMA, MORE, OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, ATOM HEART MOTHER, MEDDLE, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, WISH YOU WERE HERE, ANIMALS, THE WALL, THE FINAL CUT, and the recent IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE (The Wall Live ) are, in my opinion, the most important albums in the Pink Floyd catalog. The first two, PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN and SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS are secondary.

I don't hate the Gilmour driven version of Pink Floyd, but to me, it's not real Pink Floyd - it's GMW (Gilmour Mason & Wright). Roger's role in Pink Floyd was as mandatory as Lennon's role in the Beatles.

[Trevor Walker]

My favourite albums are MEDDLE, DARK SIDE and WISH YOU WERE HERE. So I guess you know where I voted !

[Martin Riley]

It's got to be the Waters era mainly because it encompasses the majority of their career. Syd's stuff was just too whimsical for me.LAPSE & DIVISION BELL are ersatz Floyd, they sure sound like Floyd but lack that lyrical killer edge.
Out of Roger's stuff though I would have to exclude THE FINAL CUT - a brave stab but too much Roger and not enough Pink Floyd

[Flo]

My favourite albums are Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. As for The Wall., I got to see the movie in the 80's and was really impressed by the music so I bought the album. I still like it today although it's got a strange, disturbed mood.

[Martin Riley]

I think THE WALL as a coherent piece comes across much better on the live IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? cd.

[Yes Oz]

I got hooked on Pink Floyd in 1967 after seeing them in concert with Jimi Hendrix. They were fantastic and I have things I've liked about all their eras.

Piper at the gates of dawn has some great moments. "I've got a Bike" great fun.

From Atom Heart Mother to Medal to The Wall to Dark side of the Moon right upto The Division Bell. There is some quality music on them all. But i think The Wall just pips Dark side as the best.

I wonder if they will every tour again? Like Yes, if they ever do Oz won't be on their "Must visit" list. Last time Pink Floyd came to my part of Oz was 1988.

[Flo]

Two weeks ago, Roger Waters was doing a concert in Paris. I don't know if he's touring in other countries right now. As for Pink Floyd, I don't think they will ever exist as a group.

[Trevor Walker]

He has just been to Manchester. Last week I think, it was a sellout in the largest arena in the city.

Just in passing......the local newspaper music critic, who has written scathing reviews about the last two Yes concerts in the city - slamming Jon and "progressive" music in general and using the "review" to extol the virtues of punk rock etc, wrote a glowing review of Roger Waters set ! He even said prog-rock is no longer a dirty word ! But I'll wager if Yes were to come to town again he will still write the same garbage as before. He just doesn't get it.

[Rabin105]

Sadly a lot of those great bands are just over but won't admit it Pink floyed and genesis too name a few I wish the would do just one more world tour so i could see them in concert.

[Whitefish]

The Roger Waters era. But they are all great!

[pianozach]

I'll take that era BETWEEN the Syd and Roger eras, even though it's not listed.

For clarification to what I mean, the "Syd" is pretty much the first album, and the "Roger" era is "The Wall" and "Final Cut." I'd call the inbetween era the "Group" era, when they all were contributing.

I find that the Wall hasn't aged well. Groundbreaking? Yes. Original? Probably. Listenable? Well, as mentioned before regarding "final cut," too much Roger. I enjoy the Pink Floyd live version "Is There Anybody Out There" far more than the studio version. Why? It restores Rick Wright's fascinating keyboards to the mix (that Roger minimized for the original version). I kind of like The Wall, and I find it difficult to play in mixed company.

I find the "Syd" era a bit too unlistenable, mostly due to Syd's whiny voice, and the juvenile joy the band must have had in creating some very annoying music.

I kind of like the "Post-Waters" era. Yes, the Floyd's approach has changed, but it's listenable (or is that "middle-of-the-road?"), and the anger has a mellower tone, suitable for this age.

[Orbert]

1970's Pink Floyd. I don't think of it as the "Waters era" either. That era with all four of them hitting on all cylinders is the real Pink Floyd. Those four guys together were incredible.

[Ryan]

hmmmm, this is tricky, because my favourite PF albums are all over the place in terms of what Era they're in. (Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Meddle, Wish you were here, and Animals.) It also depends a lot on what mood i'm in because i love everything.

i think i'm going to have to go for the Roger Waters Era although the Wall is among my least favourite Floyd records not counting the 80's stuff.

[Timmo]

1970's Pink Floyd. I don't think of it as the "Waters era" either. That era with all four of them hitting on all cylinders is the real Pink Floyd. Those four guys together were incredible.Yep. "Meddle," "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here," "Animals" to a somewhat lesser extent (that's when Water's whiny dystopic worldview started to dominate) and "Comfortably Numb" and "Run Like Hell" off "The Wall."

[pianozach]

Yep. "Meddle," "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here," "Animals" to a somewhat lesser extent (that's when Water's whiny dystopic worldview started to dominate) and "Comfortably Numb" and "Run Like Hell" off "The Wall."

Yep, I agree. I also am partial to "Atom Heart Mother," especially the title cut and "Fat Old Sun" (a Gilmour song).
:dj:

[allpurechance]

... I echo the sentiment @ Fat Old Sun,GREAT song!...-Obscured By Clouds-wonderful! - & - so overlooked(Wots,Uh The Deal;Mudmen,etc.)...also,I'm hugely partial to Ummagumma,both the live set,& the studio stuff(The Narrow Way,pts.1,2 & 3,Several Species...,Grantchester Meadows,Astronomy Domine,Careful With That Axe...,Set The Controls...)---older Floyd--that transitional period between Syd & Gilmore...yeah ! :O)...

[Scooty]

Geeeez..

Um
Elements of Saucerful Of Secrets are fantastic but better explored on the live tracks on Ummagumma for sure...
The soundtrack for More is really cool!
Atom Heart Mother is fantastic.I love that album..

Obscurred by Clouds is sooooo underated..some incredibly effective instrumental tracks..and Wots..Uh the Deal is really really cool..although Absolutely Curtains gave me nightmares on headphones..hehehe

Meddle brilliant sans San tropez and Seamus..

DSOTM. WYWH, Animals..all perfection..brilliance..

The Wall doesnt stand the test of time in my book, but i dig it every once an awhile..
The Final Cut is completely underated and very very moving..but should not have been a "Pink Floyd" album..

AMLOR is exactly that..a couple of winners..but so so so (yawn) boring
Division bell a slight improvement but Dave was so ready to retire..LOL...

[scootwhoman]

Although I enjoy Pink Floyd, I cannot say that they are one of my favorite bands. I have to be in a certain mood to appreciate one of their albums. Insanity is a major factor in so much of their music, especially the Syd Barret era. Syd had a tremendous influence on Roger Waters, helping him to overcome the natural aversion to looking at our dark sides. 'Dark Side Of The Moon' seems to me to be a description of watching someone very close to you losing themselves in their own, private, world, beyond the reach of people who care.

I have always considered 'Wish You Were Here' to be a lament for Syd by Roger, recognizing Syd's contribution to the creation of one of the most popular bands of all time.

'Animals' is a thinnly vieled attack on the music industry, I believe, possible only because the band was a gold mine for their label. (Do you believe that the band received their share of the procedes from 'Dark Side Of The Moon'?)

Roger Waters describes flirting with insanity on 'The Wall', in my opinion. 'The Wall' is a tremendous effort, truly inspired, yet it does not contain one single positive feeling, as far as I can tell. I find it to be extremely depressing to focus on. It turned me away from Pink Floyd, and, apart from occaisonal songs on the radio, I have not heard any of the later works. I felt that Pink Floyd ended when Roger left the band, because David Gilmore had never gotten to know Syd Barret.

[crotale2112]

Thay Say That Misery Loves Company.when I Feel Down,way Down ,i Love To Listen To The Final Cut.i Find This To Be A Fantastic Album When I Am In The Mood.its The Wall Part 2.the Final Cut To Me Is Floyds Best Album.i Love Animals As Well. ............oh Ummm Me Flakes???!!!???

[cinderella]

Well I love all of them, but I'm partial to the David Gilmour era.
He's one of my favorite guitarists.

[jfuruno]

A real nice guy, too.

[pianozach]

I felt that Pink Floyd ended when Roger left the band, because David Gilmore had never gotten to know Syd Barret.

Gilmour AND Barrett were in the band together for a short while (there are even a few publicity shots of the 5 member band), so I do believe that Dave got to know what was left of Syd (Dave was called in to play guitar parts when Syd was unable - The band resisted tossing him out for awhile, but in the end, this "solution" was unworkable)

[Orbert]

Gilmour AND Barrett were in the band together for a short while (there are even a few publicity shots of the 5 member band), so I do believe that Dave got to know what was left of Syd (Dave was called in to play guitar parts when Syd was unable - The band resisted tossing him out for awhile, but in the end, this "solution" was unworkable)
Towards the end, Syd was so blown on acid during gigs that he would just stand there and stare, or maybe strum the same chord over and over. They decided to add a "second guitarist" (Gilmour) to help round out the sound of the band, but that was just P.R. Literally they needed a guitarist, and David was available. So he joined, and they turned Syd's amp all the way down, figuring he wouldn't even notice. He didn't. Heck, he may not have realized he was out of the band for weeks, he was so tripped out.

[michael]

Like most of you, I picked the Roger Waters era. I really like "Dark Side....", and "Animals". Believe it or not, I prefer "The Final Cut" to "The Wall". I can no longer stomach the Wall. There is some brilliant music (Gilmour) on the "Wall", but it's become an overbearing, self-indulgent, and oppressive album at best. Hey Roger....I was just wondering, did you lose your father in the war? Sorry, forgive me for that, but my gaaaaaaaawd, Waters was trying to beat a dead horse back to life. I loathe the fact the Floyd capitulated to the times and even included a disco-beat on the Wall. Has anyone ever really "danced" to the Wall...the dance of death perhaps. The whole album, coupled with the film is simply tooooooo much for this dude, yup......Isolation, paranoia, fascism,.....yummy!!!!!!!!

[Faceintheplace]

I love all the stuff from 1966 to 1983. But apart from a few songs, I can do without the Dave era.

[Timmo]

'Animals' is a thinnly vieled attack on the music industry, I believe, possible only because the band was a gold mine for their label. (Do you believe that the band received their share of the procedes from 'Dark Side Of The Moon'?)No, "Have a Cigar" was an attack on the music industry, and not AT ALL veiled!

"Animals" was a rather dystopic, misanthropic look at British society and social class structure, someone allagorical to Orwell's "Animal Farm."

The Pigs are the rich aristocracy.

The Dogs are the businessmen.

Sheep are the great unwatched masses, seduced by television.

[sherriff_johnbrown]

Yeah. The album has little to do with Animal farm, although, it uses a hierarchy somewhat similar to the hierarchy on Animal Farm.

I think Animals could be applied to an industrial hierarchy as well. The Pigs the rich investers/overseers, the Dogs their henchmen (Sometimes I feel as if I'm just being used) and lower supervisors, and the Sheep the lowly workers.

But it could also work as commentary on social status. It must have really pissed off Mary Whitehouse. Being all anti-censorship and everything, then being called an "f-d up hag" on an album that played on public radio and all.

[Skyward]

His connections ( Roger's ) to Syd Barrett may have played a small role, but, IMHO, nothing worthy of note. When Syd zoned out and Gimour replaced him, the Floyd simply got better...MUCH BETTER. Gilmour, not having been cobwebbed by hallucinogens, was able to bring polish and true ability to this band. Waters always assumed he was the controlling factor in the band (after Barrett's disappearance) and his unbridled arrogance resulted in their premature musical demise. Roger simply could not live with the fact that Gilmour had more brains, insight and effective songwriting skill than Barrett. The aforementioned skills brought Gilmour to prominence, another reason for their inevitable fallout as Waters could never view himself as 'second fiddle', which in fact, he never was. Bottom line; the Waters way or the highway. A 'sharing' of the crown was simply not in the cards. A real shame.

[Orbert]

His connections ( Roger's ) to Syd Barrett may have played a small role, but, IMHO, nothing worthy of note. When Syd zoned out and Gimour replaced him, the Floyd simply got better...MUCH BETTER. Gilmour, not having been cobwebbed by hallucinogens, was able to bring polish and true ability to this band. Waters always assumed he was the controlling factor in the band (after Barrett's disappearance) and his unbridled arrogance resulted in their premature musical demise. Roger simply could not live with the fact that Gilmour had more brains, insight and effective songwriting skill than Barrett. The aforementioned skills brought Gilmour to prominence, another reason for their inevitable fallout as Waters could never view himself as 'second fiddle', which in fact, he never was. Bottom line; the Waters way or the highway. A 'sharing' of the crown was simply not in the cards. A real shame.I agree. Even before I'd read anything in print about Pink Floyd, I got that impression from just listening to their songs and comparing what I heard to the credits in the liner notes.

Waters thought of himself as the "leader" of the band, whereas the others simply thought of it as a band. In some bands, the guys all share equally, or even if not equally, there's no real leader; it's a collective. Other bands clearly have a leader. King Crimson is a band, but no one would deny that Robert Fripp calls the shots. With Yes, there's much more give and take, though the stronger personalities tend to steamroll the others.

The power struggle became more and more obvious from about Wish You Were Here onward. Most of Dark Side definitely feels like it was written and arranged by the band, but WYWH has Waters' stamp all over it. Animals returned slightly to the older format, but it was all downhill from there. The Wall was very good for its time, but it was practically a Waters solo effort that the others played on sometimes.

The biggest shame is that at this time, rock musicians still basically played in a band or were solo artists. Less than ten years later, it was much more common for solo efforts to come out from whoever, then the band would head back into the studio after a while. If Waters felt that the dynamics of working within a band were too confining, he could have started up his solo career on the side earlier; it didn't have to be the end of Pink Floyd. And that's the bummer for me. I love the 70's Floyd, but Waters' solo stuff bores me to tears.

[SCHSYesfan]

I think their best time was the Roger Waters era. They put out good albums like The Wall. Thats who I choose.

[Hill St.]

It seems the majority is with Waters so,my vote is "Just another brick in the wall"

[Full Tilt Boogie]

Be honest - would any of us be listening to Floyd had Barrett remained, churning out his incessant three-minute, oh-so-English (NOT British!) pop-song eclecticism? That Floyd was a product of its time - just as Yes moved on after Peter Banks got his marching orders.

No - we all love Floyd for how they evolved, and what they produced once they broached Echoes and onwards.

[allpurechance]

...Ummagumma has it's moments, too!...

("The Bridge", as i'twere...

I loves me some o' that The Narrow Way ...

And Astronomy Domine, which I believe was still Syd...
And Careful, and Set The Controls, which I believe was David...

And Grantchester Meadows...

This, to me, was formative Floyd, the setting up of the Floyd as we now know them)

[Lulu Mortice]

Towards the end, Syd was so blown on acid during gigs that he would just stand there and stare, or maybe strum the same chord over and over. They decided to add a "second guitarist" (Gilmour) to help round out the sound of the band, but that was just P.R. Literally they needed a guitarist, and David was available. So he joined, and they turned Syd's amp all the way down, figuring he wouldn't even notice. He didn't. Heck, he may not have realized he was out of the band for weeks, he was so tripped out.

Gilmour insisted on Barrett getting PF royalties after Barrett was no longer in the band. The result - Barrett was looked after for the rest of his life and left a $6 million estate. And Gilmour kept quiet about it, being a true gentleman.

[Steve Mahoney]

Waters Era for me.
Syds Era was brief , but I did enjoy that to.


Steve

[Rabin105]

Be honest - would any of us be listening to Floyd had Barrett remained, churning out his incessant three-minute, oh-so-English (NOT British!) pop-song eclecticism? That Floyd was a product of its time - just as Yes moved on after Peter Banks got his marching orders.

No - we all love Floyd for how they evolved, and what they produced once they broached Echoes and onwards.

As Steve Howe once said "Changhe the guitarist u change the band"

[Andrea YouAndI]

I love ALL Pink Floyd, except for The Final Cut and half of The Wall. Each "era" had different merits and I can't really choose one over the other. That's probably why PF is my favorite band, and Gilmour my all-time favorite guitarist.

[Ernie90125]

I voted for the Roger Waters era, although the Dave Gilmour era also produced some great stuff.

I respect the creative genius of the late Syd Barrett, but his era comes in at third place for me.....

[Orbert]

Gilmour insisted on Barrett getting PF royalties after Barrett was no longer in the band. The result - Barrett was looked after for the rest of his life and left a $6 million estate. And Gilmour kept quiet about it, being a true gentleman.

I did not know that! Gilmour is cool.

[Parish]

Pink Floyd=Roger Waters=Genius

[Parish]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/Parish104/scan.jpg

My letter from the Vera Lynn...:D



I know, I rock the socks...