by Pink Floyd List Price:$18.00 Our Price:$13.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Details
Media: Audio CD
Release Date: Thursday, October 25, 1990
Label: Capitol
Average Customer Review: 4.5 Based on 1100 reviews.
Sales Rank: 66
Tracks
1.
Eclipse
2.
Brain Damage
3.
Any Colour You Like
4.
Us And Them
5.
Money
6.
The Great Gig In The Sky
7.
Time
8.
On The Run
9.
Speak To Me/Breathe
Editorial Review
Dark Side of the Moon, originally released in 1973, is one of those albums that is discovered anew by each generation of rock listeners. This complex, often psychedelic music works very well because Pink Floyd doesn't rush anything; the songs are mainly slow to mid-tempo, with attention paid throughout to musical texture and mood. The sound effects on songs like "On the Run," "Time" and especially "Money" (with sampled sounds of clinking coins and cash registers turned into rhythmic accompaniment) are impressive, especially when we remember that 1973 was before the advent of digital recording techniques. This is probably Pink Floyd's best-known work, and it's an excellent place to start if you're new to the band. --Genevieve Williams
Top Customer Reviews
Rating:
3 Overplayed
"Dark Side of the Moon" is carefully produced, vaguely intelligent, and superior to the vast majority of shlock on the radio today. Unfortunately, it also gets boring and really rather conventional when you get down to it. Nice try, but you need to be in a trance to sit through it all.
Rating:
5 Pink Floyd's Immortal Classic
My goodness, dear reader, do you really NEED convincing by us, the Amazon.com reviewers, on why you should buy Pink Floyd's immortal classic, "Dark Side Of The Moon"? I mean, really...(*laughs*)...relax, I'm just playing with you. Well, what can be said about this legendary rock album that hasn't already been said a zillion times before? This album is Pink Floyd's "Sgt. Pepper," an undisputed every-home-should-have-one masterpiece. To make a long review short, you should buy "Dark Side Of The Moon" because: a) it's music, combining the band's sharp songwriting, outstanding musical chemistry, and impressive in-the-studio skills, is fantastic, b) it's timeless theme about all the things in life that can drive us mad---money, mortality, time (or lack of), war, etc., is pure genius, c) the clever lyrics by Roger Waters REALLY hit home, d) it's unsurpassed production & sound effects make it without question THE album to test your new stereo equipment with, and e) although I've never tried it myself, it's widely reputed to be a GREAT soundtrack album for....er, intimate encounters (especially while playing "The Great Gig In The Sky"---it's supposed to be really cool, man). And yes, you can also have fun with it while watching "The Wizard Of Oz" (start the album on the *third* lion roar, kids!).So, now you know why you have to buy Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon." :-)
Rating:
5 Epic, powerful, excellent music.
Any doubts I had as to the perported greatness of Dark Side of the Moon were quickly dispelled by the lush oppening bars of "Breathe," the album's oppening song. Once Roger Waters actully began to sing the song, I was sold. His voice, at least on that one track was so rich and full of depth, accompanied so nicely by David Gilmour's brilliant and simple guitar work, that the song took on an almost epic quality. But in reality, tht's a viable description for not just that particular song but the whole album. It's dark, textured, profound, and epic. I cannot claim to know what it's meaning is, but I know it has meaning, something dark and unsettling, yet at the same time beautiful. It touches something deep inside of you, fills some dark cavity of your body with light. I know that the above paragraph sounds like a lot of cliched BS, and for that I appologize, but it's the only way I can really fit words around the experience that is Dark Side of the Moon.
Rating:
5 "I'll See You On The Dark Side Of The Moon" as Roger said...
The work that brought Pink Floyd millions in pounds (British Money), dollars (American Money), and fans (People Who Adore Their Music). But though Pink Floyd incorporates video clips and expensive lighting effects to their shows at the time, they always cared for the fans. That's why they put out this masterpiece, Dark Side Of The Moon. With the usual subject matter used by bassist/vocalist/songwriter Roger Waters; madness ("Speak To Me", "On The Run", "Brain Damage"), death ("Time", "Eclipse"), drugs ("Breathe", "Any Colour You Like"), war ("Us And Them"), and money ("Money"), together with guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour, keyboardist Richard Wright, and drummer Nick Mason, and with some sound effects put in together with Roger and engineer Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd made up what they didn't think would be their greatest album, but did become their greatest and highest selling album.The album was originally a song leftover from the Meddle sessions, called "Dark Side Of The Moon", which as 1971 came to a close the song blossomed into a half-hour long song suite called "Eclipse". Roger wanted to called it "Dark Side Of The Moon", but the British Electric Blues Band, Medicine Head, also did an album called "Dark Side Of The Moon" the previous year (1970 for those not paying attention). After a year the Medicine Head album failed to chart, so Roger revived "Dark Side Of The Moon". Fresh off of doing a movie soundtrack for Barbet Schroder called "Obscured by Clouds" at Honky Chateau Studios in France (at which 2 songs; "Burning Bridges" and "Childhood's End" came to be re-written and incorporated into "Dark Side Of The Moon" as "Breathe" and "Time"), and the "Live at Pompeii" video, Pink Floyd decided to play "Dark Side Of The Moon" on the road and see what happens. The first night at the Rainbow Theatre in London's Finsbury Park, the band did a few old songs then did Dark Side Of The Moon, up until 2 minutes into "Money" it was going great but then the power went out for a few minutes and they couldn't start ag
Rating:
5 Possibly the best of all-time!
I just started listening to Pink Floyd about a year ago, and already I consider them one of my top 3 favorite bands of all-time. "Dark Side of the Moon" was the first album I purchased and I was immediately hooked. To me, "Dark Side.." is classic Floyd! I can't believe the sound effects that were used in this album, considering the equipment that was available in 1972-73. The listener is drawn in with the sound effects that precede "Speak to Me/Breathe", cash registers, jackhammers, old Englishmen talking, etc. "On the Run" offers more sound effects, and it mezmerizes you. "Time" in my mind is the second best track on the CD, I just love David Gilmour's guitar solo in the middle. "Money" is a masterpiece, as well as "Us & Them." Without a doubt though, my favorite track on "Dark Side.." is "Brain Damage." This song is just so great, and the lyrics are magic, "the lunatic is on the grass..." More sound effects on this one with a roadie laughing when Roger Waters says, "the lunatic is in my head." The album finishes off with "Eclipse" which sort of sums up human life as we know it, "all that you touch....all that buy, beg, borrow, or steal..." I would have to say that "Dark Side of the Moon" is probably one of the top 5 albums of all-time. Period.
Rating:
1 Not understanding why this CD supposed to be so good!!
Man at work recommend this CD to me. I listen to it too many times, it sound like hippie music or tv commercial. Songs not making too much sense. Because CD on billboards many years not make it good either, that just to make people buy. Man that sing songs sound sleepy too much like he not get much sleep. Not too good.
Rating:
5 simply amazing
this cd is not only a cd that everyone should own, but it's one that everyone should tell their children about. pink floyd is not my favorite band, and dark side is not my favorite cd, but it is the one i could listen to the most. after numerous listenings it will never get old, you only appreciate it on deeper and deeper levels.
Rating:
5 Their Break-through
By condensing the sonic explorations of Meddle to actual songs and adding a lush, immaculate production to their trippiest instrumental sections, Pink Floyd inadvertently designed their commercial breakthrough with Dark Side of the Moon. The primary revelation of Dark Side of the Moon is what a little focus does for the band. Roger Waters wrote a series of songs about mundane, everyday details which aren't that impressive by themselves, but when given the sonic backdrop of Floyd's slow, atmospheric soundscapes and carefully placed sound effects, they achieve an emotional resonance. But what gives the album true power is the subtly textured music, which evolves from ponderous, neo-psychedelic art rock to jazz fusion and blues-rock before turning back to psychedelia. It's dense with detail, but leisurely paced, creating its own dark, haunting world. no other record defines them as well as this one.the album set the all time record for longevity on the billboard charts.....stayed on the top 200 until the late 1980's (over 700 weeks), if you doubt it, look it up.
Rating:
5 Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon is one of if not the best produced albums ever, with the songs blending into each other.
Rating:
5 Did someone say "good"?
As ever with early Pink Floyd, all for members' maverick talents are in full flow on darkside of the Moon (Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall and The Final Cut, masterpieces as they are, lack the experimental, communal quality which gave the early albums so much of their uniqueness - not that The Wall isn't unique) but this time around the band have the focus of a truly groundbreaking concept. Roger Waters provides cascades of lyrical insight and, as you might expect, the music is pretty awe-inspiring stuff. The breath-taking soundscapes of thrilling, acid-drenched improvisations, stunning compositions and startlingly effective experiments (especially the vocals of "The Great Gig in the Sky" and the intro to "Time") are the equal of Dark Side of the Moon's conceptual genius.The album begins with a gripping build-up of sound effects. The voices, the tick-tocks and the alarm bells get louder and louder until the sound of a roller coaster going up a hill reaches it's crescendo, Doris Troy screams and you are plunged into a flowing, psychedelic melody. Before you know it the lyrics, "for long you live and high you fly and smiles you give and tears you cry and all you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be", come pouring out of the speakers. Without pausing, the album runs as a single compelling composition for forty minutes, defining life more artistically than is comprehendable.Quite why this album sold so many copies is almost as big a mystery as how Pink Floyd managed to make such an album. Fashionability, I suppose, is the only answer as the record buying public are not renowned for their good taste. Though more focussed than earlier works, Darkside has all the depth and off-the-wall experimental spirit that an avant garde' freak like me could hope for in a record. It also has the warm, textural ambience of Rick's keyboards, the subtle groove of Nick's drumming, the emotion of Dave's guitar work and Dick Parry's saxophone, the flawless use of female backing vocals and the irresistable beat
Rating:
5 The best music ever recorded. Period.
To say that Dark Side of the Moon is a masterpiece is an unbelievable understatement. There is a good reason this album has sold so many copies (and still continues to pop up on the record charts from time to time despite the fact that it was released 30 YEARS AGO). From start to finish Dark Side is pure musical and lyrical genius. Every sound on the album; whether its the heart beat to open and close the album, David Gilmour's incredible guitar work, or the screams of agony on "The Great Gig in the Sky", has a greater purpose and they all work together to create a compelling, thought provoking look at madness and the parts of everyday life that can lead one down that path. The lyrics are intellegent, poetic, and emotional and blend perfectly with the music. There is simply no album that, from start to finish, can even compare to the brilliance of DSOTM. This album is a must-have for all music fans. If you don't own it already, buy 2 because if you have any taste at all, you will wear the first one out.
Rating:
5 The Best Rock Album of the 70's
Pink Floyd definitely achieved perfection with Dark Side of the Moon. "Speak to me" & "On the run" are good introductory tracks that set the mood for the rest of the album, that eventually explodes with "Time" one of Floyd best songs not only musically, but with deep lyrics from one of Rock&roll best songwriters: Roger Waters, & also a nice solo by David Gilmour the underrated Guitar Genius. "A great Gig in the sky" is an interesting piece featuring great vocal range, while "Money" is just another Floyd all time classic in the vein of "Time". The album follows with "Us & them" a beutiful song that reflects thoughts about the war" then it jumps into "Any colour you like, a nice instrumental that serves as transition for "Brain Damage" reaching its final moment, but that honor belongs to "Eclipse" that closes the book in a majestic way. In Conclusion: An Amazing Album from Beginning to end, with great Music & Lyrics that points out interesting themes of our society and very cooperative effort by all the musicians. It does make you feel like your are exploring the "Dark side of the moon.
Rating:
5 Pink Floyd's masterpiece.
Before Roger Waters took over Pink Floyd and filled their music with drab rantings about how much he hates the world, Pink Floyd was the world's number one space-rock band. "Dark Side of the Moon" is their best, most defining effort. Musically, it seems like an extension of "Echoes", the twenty-minute epic consisting of all of side two on their previous LP, "Meddle". Lyrically, it's a poetic and somewhat cynical view of the world. Songs like "Time" and "Money" concentrate on the vices and the rush-around of modern life, and "Brain Damage" is an explanation of what can happen to you if they take over."Dark Side of the Moon" was a truly revolutionary album in many ways that have been noted countless times by historians, critics, and fellow musicians. But what makes "Dark Side" truly stand the test of time with "normal" audiences is that its messages haven't outdated. In many ways, it's the ultimate coming-of-age album. That, combined with the immaculate production and amazing soundscapes within, is the key reason why it continues to sell and be listened to 30+ years after its release.Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" is one of the best rock albums of all time. It stands by itself among Pink Floyd's repertoire. Previous to it, Pink Floyd were dabbling ("Meddle"-ing?) in the Syd Barrett world of psychedelic space-rock with youthful exuberance, and after it, Waters became essentially a bitter old man and began creating dark, dismal albums like "Animals", "The Wall", and "The Final Cut". "Dark Side" showcases Pink Floyd at the turning point, looking to the future while enjoying the last few years of their official youth. They may have made more ambitious or more "epic" albums, but they never made one better than "Dark Side of the Moon".
Rating:
5 It's good to warm my bones beside the fire...
I first got into Pink Floyd about 15 years ago while I was still in the Navy. I really enjoyed "Momentary Lapse Of Reason", hence post-Waters. I was listening to my local classic rock station while I first heard "Money" and I thought that the song was a new PF release. I was particularly shocked to find out that the song was released in 1973. The rhythmic phrases of the cash registers are as clear as a bell, a testament to the engineering and recording brilliance of an album that is well ahead of its time. The station also had been playing "Time" and "Us And Them". After listening to these tunes, I went ahead and bought DSOTM. There is a lot going on this album: from the blues-drenched "Time" to the jazzy sound of "Money" and "Us And Them", the Beatlesque "Brain Damage", and the operatic sound of "The Great Gig In The Sky. I do understand that there is an underlying dark theme or objective to DSOTM, but I, as a musician, have come to really appreciate the solid musicianship in this album; definitely a must-have for any new or old PF fans.
Rating:
5 Not the Floyd's best, but essencial regardless.
Everyone knows this album. This is the album that brought Pink Floyd to the mainstream. It's one of the best selling albums of all-time, and for good reason. There is the usual Pink Floyd kind of experimentalism, but it's given enough hooks that it can appeal to virtually anyone. "Breathe" is a perfect example of this. A passive listen will reveal a pleasant pop song. However, read the lyrics and you'll find Roger Waters' usual dash of bitter cynicism. This was Roger's first real concept album, and it features tons of his outstanding lyrics. Unlike on many of the albums that came after, everyone contributes here though. "On The Run" is the most experimental piece on here, as it takes a bunch of noises combined with a frantic keyboard to give a great impression of being, as the title would indicate, on the run. After a somewhat soothing first two songs, a collage of alarms will be sure to wake you up for "Time", the album's best song. Beginning with Nick Mason's great drums and Roger Waters' bass giving an effect that greatly resembles the sound of a clock ticking. The song then gets going with David Gilmour's agressive vocals, singing some of Roger Waters' best lyrics ever. Richard Wright then comes in to do some singing of his own, before Gilmour delivers a staggering guitar solo. This is one of those songs that you really can't not like. It is then followed by Wright's composition, "The Great Gig In The Sky". Building from a sparse piano, this song hits an amazing climax, featuring some of the most incredible vocals ever recorded from Clarre Torry. "Money" is the song that everyone knows, and is a prime example of how this album is accessible yet brilliant. Spearheaded by an extremely catchy Roger Waters bassline, David Gilmour sings this great Waters song about how money can corrupt people, which is ironic considering the single was a massive hit and made them tons of money. It then continues on with "Us and Them", one of Waters' first social commentaries, something which would become increasingly normal from him on later albums. It doesn't sound much like the typical Waters song though, as Wright (who wrote the music for the song)'s keyboards dominate it. Dick Parry even contributes some saxophone. As is the case with most songs on here, Gilmour sings it and does an outstanding job of it. The song drags on a little too long, but is still a great piece. "Any Colour You Like" is the last time Pink Floyd would just let loose and do some jamming on an album until _The Division Bell_, which came over 20 years later. Wright and Gilmour dominate this great instrumental. "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse" close out the album, and are the only two songs sung by Waters. "Brain Damage" is a fairly simple song, but the lyrics are clearly a tribute to Syd Barrett, the band's original frontman who's mind was wrecked by drugs. "Eclipse" is the album's triumphant closer, which the band performs incredibly, making it one of the best album closers ever.As a whole, this album is one of the few that can combine accessible melodies and fairly simple song structures with strange experimenting, and the result is a fantastic album that must be heard by any music listener. Although not Pink Floyd's best, it's still very much worth some attention.Song ratings:Speak To Me/Breathe: 8/10On The Run: 6/10Time: 10/10The Great Gig In The Sky: 8.5/10Money: 8/10Us and Them: 9/10Any Colour You Like: 9/10Brain Damage: 8.5/10Eclipse: 9.5/10
Rating:
5 6 Stars -- MINIMUM!
This album falls somewhere between the Beatles "Sgt. Peppers" and the Doors "LA Woman" on my list of the top 10 albums of all time. It spent an amazing 700 weeks in the charts. Dark Side is one of the finest concept albums of all times, and as a whole, it transcends its individual songs, which are by themselves very good. The core concept is the tightrope between sanity and insanity. It starts with a simple, insistent heart beat and a sound snippet, "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad. They have to explain why you're mad."From there to the end of the album, every sound echos. The bass, synthesizers and drums create a universe of sound. Nothing is solid. David Gilmore's guitar resounds with paranoia and the impossibility of reaching sanity, fighting to keep its clarity and identity in the overwhelming universe of sound created by the rest of the band. A solo saxophone breaks in, clawing for light. The music is interrupted by uncomfortable, frightened, small, lonely, internal voices which echo fear, "I am not frightened of dying. Any time will do. Why be frightened of dying? I see no reason for it."Sound effects of cash registers, money, frightened running feet, and gasping, rushed, out of oxygen breathing intersperse the album. Finally, the album concludes with a simple, insistent heart beat and a last thought, "There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it's all dark."This is an album designed to be listened to through headphones so you can be completely enveloped by its vision. If you have an SACD player, I highly recommend the SACD/CD hybred version because it surrounds you much like headphones. If you don't have an SACD player, this is one of the best reasons to buy one!
Rating:
5 It's good to warm your bones beside the fire...
I first got into Pink Floyd about 14 yrs ago while I was in the Navy. I was pretty impressed with Momentary Lapse Of Reason, given that the album is post-Waters. The classic rock station I was listening to at home was playing, "Money". I thought that this song was a new P.F. release and I was shocked to find out this song was released in 1973. The sound of the cash registers in rhythmic fashion is a clear as a bell, a testament to the engineering and recording brilliance of an album that is well ahead of its time. The radio station also played other cuts from DSOTM and, in listening to them, decided to buy the album. There is lot going on with this album. From the blues-drenched stylings of "Time", through the Beatles-sounding, "Brain Damage", to the jazz-influenced tunes of, "Money" and "Us And Them"; and one must not forget the awesome soulful vocals in this album. I do understand that there is an underlying objective or story to this album, but I, as a musician, can only bring myself to appreciate the sonic and musical qualities. This album is a must-have for new PF fans and classic rockers alike.
