The Wall

 

    I'm choosing to review The Wall before any other Pink Floyd album because I think that it's a good introduction to the band if you want to get into them. The Wall is a conceptual album, telling the story of a rockstar and his life, outlining the events that have shaped him into who he is and the effects they have on his life. This story told through the songs makes the music easier to grasp, especially since each song, while connecting to everything else on the album, is able to be viewed as self contained, making for a better time experiencing the story and also just listening to the music. The music itself is easier to get into, as it's more what you'd expect out of a classic/prog rock band and less abstract than some of their other work, like Dark Side of the Moon, which was more complex both musically and thematically. The tracks can be divided into 2 categories: more normal rock songs (such as Another Brick in the Wall and One of My Turns), and more conceptual songs (such as In the Flesh?, Stop, and Outside the Wall). The former are what helps draw listeners in and familiarize them with the band and their style, and the latter introduce listeners to some of the more abstract elements that Pink Floyd is known for, without making it to jarring of a combination. The two different styles of the songs are meshed together beautifully through the seamless transitions from one track to the next, which also helps the story remain more coherent. 

    Highlights: Another Brick in the Wall (parts 1,2,&3), Goodbye Blue Sky, One of My Turns, Hey You, Comfortably Numb, Run Like Hell, The Trial.

Rating: 5/6