Album Review: Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

Dark Side Of The Moon is the eighth album by Pink Floyd. It was evident in their previous songs like Echoes that Floyd were heading towards a more sophisticated musical direction which allowed the listener to explore the ideas of empathy that never seemed to come across with albums that involved founder member and guitarist Syd Barrett. It’s as if the band were beginning to stimulate and capture the imagination through their music as well as evolving into something versatile and truly revolutionary.

Dark Side of the Moon is a concept album that sees Pink Floyd articulate songwriter and bassist Roger Waters’ view on humanity. Dark Side begins with the track Speak to Me/Breathe which is Floyd’s way of unravelling what the album will entail. The ingenious heart-beat, voices and cash registers introduce Waters’ harsh perspective on humanity and the aspects that revolve around everyday situations in the world. It continues into the lovely Breathe where we hear guitarist Dave Gilmour & keyboardist Richard Wright’s heart-sinkingly gorgeous harmonies that make the iconic sound of Pink Floyd.

The beauty of Dark Side is that if we were listening to this a thousand years into the future, the concept of this album would still be relevant to humanity as it was upon the album’s release in 1973.

– Mark Wong

Time is based around the concept of how precious time can be. The clocks chiming at the beginning is innovative because of the daring boundaries that Floyd went to with this track. Nick Mason’s haunting drumming also adds another wonderful quality to the song. Waters’ lyrics are delivered impeccably with a touch of elegant poetry. “Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way’ just goes to show how Floyd can shape one person’s view on the world entirely in just one simple lyric.

Rick Wright’s ingenious Great Gig In The Sky is a treat, not only because of Clare Torry’s memorable wailing vocal solo but the effortless composition behind the track which consists of a gorgeous chord progression. If this track appeals then Us And Them will leave you completely mesmerised. These two tracks depict Wright as an absolute genius for his time.

Pink Floyd carved a certain niche in rock history which will remain untouched for many years to come. In essence they totally re-defined music with this album. For any music enthusiast The Dark Side Of The Moon is an absolute must.

– Mark Wong


In Money, Gilmour expresses his frustration around the dual concepts of consumerism and greed. The track shows how rock songs are produced at the highest level. Brain Damage, which pays tribute to the ‘crazy diamond’ Syd Barrett, includes the lyrics “And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes, I’ll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon.” The meaning behind the lyrics makes you realise that Floyd consider Barrett to be an intensely personal aspect of their music. Any Colour You Like & Eclipse both make the listener feel like they’ve literally been to the Dark Side Of The Moon and back!

Dark Side Of The Moon will remain as a timeless classic because of how innovative and unique it was for its time. The beauty of Dark Side is that if we were listening to this a thousand years into the future, the concept of this album would still be relevant to humanity as it was upon the album’s release in 1973, right through to the present day. It proves that Pink Floyd carved a certain niche in rock history which will remain untouched for many years to come. In essence they totally re-defined music with this album. For any music enthusiast The Dark Side Of The Moon is an absolute must.