Hey Mojo...
just curious, if someone were to ask you why you love Pink Floyd so much, what words would you use in response?
To be honest, I find their music to be depressing as fuck. I don't know much of their stuff except for "The Wall." I listened to the Wall (and saw the Movie also) when I was 15 and a high school junior in 1985, usually when stoned. I saw a reviewer who described the movie as "seething with anger, alienation, and despair." That about sums up my stoned reaction when I was 15. "Goodbye cruel world?" "I have become comfortably numb"? I remember thinking, "I don't ever wanna listen to this music again when I'm high, it's just too damn painful."
Anyway... I ask this question just out of respectful curiosity. You are obviously a huge fan. So obviously you have a totally different relationship to the music that I do. For the songs that express hopelessness or cynicism or despair... your reaction is....?
As I say, just curious.
Well idk, I feel like it’s like explaining why one loves the Beatles or The Rolling Stones. I’ll try though.
First off their very early stuff was just “okay” IMO. I don’t see the brilliance of Syd Barrett. Many fans will disagree with me there.
Once Gilmour settled in, the magic began.
You mentioned depressing lyrics and the overall dark tones. See, I’m attracted to darker music in general. Sonically more so than lyrically, but I can appreciate Waters’ visceral style. Their sound and lyrics never made me depressed. Tbh I never really understood that notion. Maybe because I’m a musician myself?
I find darker music more interesting than lighter “fun” music. It could be that whole minor vs major chord thing goin on there.
Like for instance I like Van Halen, but there was nothing prolific or interesting in Van Halen lyrically, and sonically it offered up some great rock n roll and guitar virtuosity but nothing that really moved me inside.
I guess the bottom line for me is that Floyd were just more interesting and sonically pleasing than just about everyone else.
Btw, I feel like by the time Waters finished the Animals record which was IMO brilliant lyrically as well as sonically…his stuff became almost too personal. The Wall is a great accomplishment as a whole but aside from a handful of songs I find a good portion of it to be a bit dull and pretentious. Not depressing.
Meddle thru Animals is one of the greatest four consecutive album releases ever IMO.