Dark Side Of The Moon - Review

 In March of 1973 came the release of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. This was definatly the saving grace for 'Floyd' as the band lost a key member in April 1968. Syd Barrett, the bands lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter left the band amid speculations of mental illness abused by drug use, and was briefly hospitalised. It wasnt until 2006 that Syd died but his erratic behaviour in the bands early years was to risky for the band's future therefore he was forced to leave.

 A replacement was quickly set up for Syd who joined shortly after his departure. David Gilmore was the new member and the band of four began to work on a new album. The band consisted of Roger Waters, Rick Wright, Nick Mason and David Gilmour. Waters took a grip of the songwriter role and years later in 1972 the band began to record what was to be one of the most successful album releases to present day. On 1st March 1973 Dark Side Of The Moon was released.

 The Dark Side Of The Moon is Pink Floyd's ninth studio album and is a single extended piece rather than a collection of songs. The album was made up of songs such as 'Time', 'Money', 'Great Gig In The Sky' and 'Brain Damage'. Even though this is a concept album, a number of the songs can stand on their own. 'Time' is a fine country-filled showstopper with a powerful guitar solo by David Gilmour. Money is very easy on the ears and played with an appropriately raunchy saxophone solo played by Dick Parry. The album is a genre of progessive rock but they have been complimented by music critic calling this album as a developed a musical style capable of sustaining their dazzling and potentially overwhelming sonic wizardy

 In the US the LP was released before the introduction of platinum on 1 January 1976. It therefore held only a gold disc until 16 February 1990, when it was certified 11× platinum. By 1998 the album was certified as 15x platinum. The song has now sold 42 million copies.