’The Wall’ (Released 1979) is not the best album ever released by the talented Pink Floyd. However, it is probably their most well known album till date. It has been so popular over the ages that perhaps even Geoffrey’s grandma would know the lyrics to ’Another Brick in your Wall’.
What is so great about ’The Wall’? Influence, thematic, darkness personified. It is definitely not the Pink Floyd kind of music. Most Floyd fans would agree. The deep psychedelic edge that characterized Floyd’s music is missing here. It is more likely to be classified in the hard rock/progressive rock genre with a few exceptions here and there appealing to the casual rock fan than a Pink Floyd aficionado. ’The Wall’ is a narrative lashed out by a maniacal rock star who never seemed to get over his overbearing mother [Hush, my baby. baby, don’t you cry. Momma’s gonna make all of your nightmares come true. Momma’s gonna put all of her fears into you.] , his hatred for war ever since he lost his father to its vagaries [Daddy’s gone across the ocean, Leaving just a memory, A snapshot in the family album.], his cruel teachers [Well, when we grew up and went to school, There were certain teachers, Who would hurt the children in any way they could, By pouring their derision, Upon anything we did, Exposing every weakness, However carefully hidden by the kids ], his unfulfilled relationships [Don’t leave me now. How could you go? When you know how I need you, To beat to a pulp on a saturday night.] and the rough treatment lashed out at his fans.
’The Wall’ is an experience that takes you out there into the surreal where light is despised and darkness seems to thrive. It is a journey where thinking takes you to your next destination with disturbing images kicking off a poignant anxiety in the mind and soul. There are no fixed paths, only self created visions that lead you further into the world of darkness. The outcome of the journey may be depression, enlightenment or the ultimate nirvana. There are no walls, no restrictions, just a mind that calls for freedom, a mind that desires to break free, to fly into the sub conscious, to undertake a journey thats might be destined towards self realization or an utter damnation of the being. You are comfortable, comfortably numb, trying to fill in the empty voids with your own manifestations of reality. On your own, you give in to Floyd to hold your hand and show you the way through the deep chasm of darkness with a mysterious light that seems to lead you on. The experience as many would confirm is different each time, yet so starkingly similar. If anything of this seems unfamiliar, you haven’t experienced Floyd the way it was meant to.
An objective analysis of the album is unwarranted. You simply don’t buy this for the music, which might give an impression that Floyd faltered when it came to performing to their abilities. The overbearing Roger Waters made it into his own album and the rest of the group had to be content to play a supporting role. This is essentially a Roger Waters album, whether you may like it or not. It is advisable not to approach this album on a song by song basis, an approach that might hurt a casual rock fan. Listen to it as a narration, and delve into the world of Waters as this was essentially more about him than Pink Floyd. If you wish to capture the essence of Pink Floyd, go and listen to the ’Dark Side of the Moon’, ’ The Division Bell’ and ’A Momentary Lapse of Reason’.
In a few words in praise of this album, it might not be the best ever made, but it served to define radical progressive music in the 1970s. It perhaps deserves a definite listen and a judgment though in pure musical terms, it definitely falls short, at least of matching the Pink Floyd legacy.
Defining Moments of ’The Wall’
I don’t need no arms around me
And I don’t need no drugs to calm me.
I have seen the writing on the wall.
[Another Brick in the Wall]
There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re sayin’
[Comfortably Numb]
I’ve got wild, staring eyes.
And I got a strong urge to fly,
But I got nowhere to fly to
[Nobody Home]
There must be some mistake,
I never meant to let them take,
Away my soul.
Am I too old?
Is it too late?
Where has the feeling gone?
Will I remember this song?
[The show must go on]
If you should go skating,
On the thin ice of modern life,
Dragging behind you the silent reproach,
Of a million tear-stained eyes,
Don’t be surprised when a crack in the ice,
Appears under your feet.
[The Thin Ice]
Good morning, the worm, your honour,
The crown will plainly show,
The prisoner who now stands before you,
Was caught red-handed showing feelings.
Showing feelings of an almost human nature.
This will not do.
[The Trial]
But it was only fantasy.
The wall was too high,
As you can see.
No matter how he tried,
He could not break free.
And the worms ate into his brain.
[Hey You!!]
Album Details :
Roger Waters: bass, vocals, keyboards
David Gilmore: guitar, vocals
Nick Mason: drums
Richard Wright: keyboards, backing vocals
Bob Ezrin: keyboards
Toni Tenille: backing vocals
Bruce Johnstone: backing vocals
Joe Chemay: backing vocals
Stan Farber: backing vocals
James Haas: backing vocals
Islington Green School: backing vocals
Jon Joyce: backing vocals
Jeff Porcaro: drums
Track Listing :
In The Flesh? 3.16
The Thin Ice 2.27
Another Brick In The Wall (Part I) 3.21
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives 1.46
Another Brick In The Wall (Part II) 3.59
Mother 5.32
Goodbye Blue Sky 2.45
Empty Spaces 2.10
Young Lust 3.25
One Of My Turns 3.41
Don’t Leave Me Now 4.08
Another Brick In The Wall (Part III) 1.48
Goodbye Cruel World :48
Hey You 4.40
Is There Anybody Out There? 2.44
Nobody Home 3.26
Vera 1.35
Bring The Boys Back Home 1.21
Comfortably Numb 6.23
The Show Must Go On 1.36
In The Flesh 4.15
Run Like Hell 4.20
Waiting For The Worms 4.40
Stop :39
The Trial 5.13
Outside The Wall 1.41