Last of the unified Floyd...

As a complete and utter "nut" over Pink Floyd, I must contain myself and write this review as described to a "Pink Floyd virgin". Being a fan, I know that Pink Floyd began their career with Syd Barrett in the mid 60's. Cutting a long, and thoroughly explained (search the net for Syd Barrett) story short....after Syd left the group due to LSD induced psychosis, the remaining members, Roger Waters, Rick Wright, Nick Mason, and the newly inducted David Gilmour as Syd's replacement, were struggling to find a direction for the group. Records released after Syd's departure include Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, More, Atom Heart Mother, Meddle, The Dark Side Of The Moon, Animals, Wish You Were Here....and then the subject of this review, The Wall. The reason for the outline of the history of the band is that after the loss of Syd, the band went through a period of confusion, or struggle. Each record mentioned was a stepping stone in the path to the super-power that Pink Floyd is. As the title mentions, The Wall, is the final album where all four original members collaborate. Egos have been clashing for some time now and The Wall is the last victorious hurrah before the end of an era. The Wall is the penultimate album where Roger Waters, a creative genius of the group, is present. Later albums, (after "The Final Cut") will be minus Roger.
But back to the album itself....
The Wall is THE album when anyone speaks of a "concept" album. That is, an album that is written around a theme. The theme of The Wall has been suggested is about Syd Barrett. A poor victim of fame and the music industry. I will explain this along with my review of the songs. Get ready for a long and detailed ride through The Wall....

1. In The Flesh.
Some might suggest that this is the Genesis of the album. (the biblical meaning, not the group...). I can think of no other pleasing way to capture the attention of the listener than to give a good hard overdriven D chord only to climb in anticipation to Eb, F, etc. It is not only the introduction to the album but to Pink's career as a fictitous,(though many claim it was written about Syd Barrett), character. It is sung by Roger Waters with a venom in his voice, almost a mockery at the audience in the concept, yet I can almost feel the mockery being directed at me as I listen...as if my need for entertainment was a participant in the demise of Syd Barrett. But at the same time, the lyrics seem to have a double meaning. "Pink", the character in the concept, seems to have begun his struggle with reality and life, as the album will now confess.

2. The Thin Ice.
Song number one was the introduction to "Pink's" occupation as you may call it. The Thin Ice now outlines the short, sharp crevase between normal life, and what lies beyond the pressure. Once again, this has been one of the songs that has been used to suggest that the album/concept was about Syd Barrett. Roger Waters has confessed many times that Mildred Barrett, (Syd's mother), has blamed him for Syd's ultimate downfall. Syd is remembered as a pure, loving and talented youngster...(Momma loves her baby, daddy loves you too). The next couple of lines suggest that nothing is as you see it. A healthy child will not always a healthy adult be! (And the sea may look warm to you baby, and the sky may look blue.) "Skating on the thein ice of modern life" is a reference to all aspects of modern pressure, a timeless pressure that applies as much now as it did in the final puffs of the 60's. "A million tear stained eyes" is possibly the sympathy of the audience. The song is a warning of sorts to Pink to watch the trapping of fame.

3. Another Brick In The Wall Pt 1.
To the unanitiated, David Gilmour is the guitarist of Pink Floyd. Some would call him "God's Guitarist". If this is your first venture into Pink Floyd, the this song is the quiet intoduction into David's guitar wisdom. Pink Floyd have been known for a long time as innovators of the music industry as far a sound effects go. Even though this song has only delay, it is a teaser to what David will do later in the album. The song itself is a reference to Roger Water's father dying om Anzio in 1944. It is a clear cry from Roger about the injustice of life, of society, stripping him of his father, leaving just a memory. The Wall, as the title of the album suggests, is a wall that is built by a person to shield himself from the tortures and difficulties of life. I have many times thought that Syd Barrett now lives behind his "wall".

4. Good Bye Blue Sky.
Another song from the crying depth of Roger Waters. It is a reference to the London air raids. My interpretation is that Roger Waters was absolutely brilliant in the composition of this song. He has captured a double meaning so well. His obsession with his fathers death in Anzio has been documented. So this song looks like a referral to the second world war...BUT...it is a homage to Syd Barrett once again. With the rising star of The Pink Floyd Sound as it was with Syd Barrett, it was a promise of a blue sky. This song is Roger's way of saying that the period of the start of PF, was like a promise that was taken away, dying flames lingering, waiting to be recognised or rekindled.

5. Happiest Days Of Our Lives.
In the movie made from this album, this song is dealt with as the starting point in the degredation of the life of the child. Roger has been reputed as being a critic of the English way of life, and this may be another dig at the schooling system of such. But, one can also take it as meaning that it is Roger's reflection of his friendship with Syd before Pink Floyd. Maybe, it is the schooling and what happens thereafter that makes or breaks the person?

6. Another Brick In The Wall Pt 2.
The best know song from The Wall I think. It has been documented that Roger Waters' mother and father were communists, with Roger himself sharing leftist views. He originally went to architectual school but let it go due to musical aspirations. Roger's writing up till The Wall has included much satirical analysis of the English way of life, and this is yet another example. Society is being moulded by a unified force starting at the school. We are being moulded to fit into the "wall" that divides the "learned", "civilised", human being from the casual society drop-out.

7. Mother.
We know Syd Barrett was very connected with his mother. Is this another reference? But at the same time; Roger Waters has already proven that he is talented at double meanings. Are we all shielded from life to a certain point, only to have to ask so many questions to finally learn to live. Can schools actually mould you without teaching? Is the world what it seems? Mother, since giving birth to me, have you taught me to be self-reliant, confident, a decent human being?
The song itself is very low key compared to the previous electrified offerings. But what the song lacks in volume, it gains in rhythm and complexity.
It also sounds like a madman's attempt at sanity. When all else fails, who can you turn to...mother! An accoustic approach to the song gives it grounding. A base from where David Gilmours guitar solo can soar.
Once again, I state that I am a die hard fan, and I can only hope that David's flying guitar solo is a tribute to where Pink Floyd feels that Syd Barretts soul was travelling after his so called breakdown.

8. Empty Spaces.
Well...is Roger talking about the slow sinking of the human mind? Or is he talking about the awkward times between the founder of Pink Floyd, (Syd), leaving and their subsequent struggle to complete themselves as viable band? Many have clamied that there was a time when Pink Floyd lost the way. Could the "Wall" also be the facade that the band has built around themselves? It is a deeply melancholy song that evokes a deep dread in anyone listening to it. It is a song that although very simple in it's merit still evokes strong feelings to those who listen.

9. Young Lust.
This song "bursts" forth from a comparatively quiet in the album. It is the anthem to the typical band on the road. It feels like a cliche on the typical sexually driven rock song. It also serves as a testament to the initiation of a fledgeling rock 'n ' roll band into the fan driven mega-sphere. Roger may in fact be describing his feelings, (not necessarily sexual), of plunging into the trappings of stardom. The song also comes after "Pink" the character of the concept has left the overbearing influence of his mother. The song also suggests that "Pink" lives life with few rules. This is also a tribute to Syd Barrett I feel, as he was a staunch believer of the no-rules concept but musically, and in life. It is a quote from the pages of any rock band, sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. The undertones of the song also convey a dirtiness. Perhaps a relic of the era when all adults considered rock as the devils work. Young Lust is really a homage to nearly all bands that have made the leap from obscurity to stardom, from the Beatles to Zepplin.

10. One Of My Turns.
It is a well known fact that during the recording of The Wall, Pink Floyd were unfortunately struggling through the final fazes of their unified being. Perhaps this song is the attempt by Roger to say that a relationship is coming to an end. "But I have grown older, and you have grown colder, and nothing is very much fun anymore). The song fits into the mould of a rock star going crazy...(Syd). Syd was know to be violent on occasions as this song states, "Don't look so frightened, this is just a passing phase). But one can also read it as being a cry from Roger, alluding to the fact that a relationship within the band has gone sour. There is still a favourite "axe", (guitar), but it has been relocated to the bedroom, also a stark opposite to "Young Lust". The guitar is now in the bedroom, lying idle, alluding to the fact that maybe other bedroom antics are also now idle. Each album that the Floyd has written has references to madness, and this one in particular has the clearest reference to Syd's breakdown since "The Dark Side Of The Moon".

11. Don't Leave Me Now.
"Pink" has finally sunk to the bottom. He has realised that his life is now empty. He has been unsucessful with relationships including his mother, groupies, and his wife. The place where he is now is what is often referred to as the "bottom of the J curve". The music itself is meloncholy with the sparce echoed chords played by Richard Wright. The echoes of the song state an emptiness, a coldness that rebounds from every angle.

12. Another Brick In The Wall Pt 3.
The final part in the "Brick" series now explodes out of character. Instead of having a droning, echoing guitar part as a background; part 3 bursts out showing new self discovery. It is a phoenix of musical proportions. Can we also take this as being Roger's view of the post-Barrett Floyd? Every band goes through it's own period of tough times. Some falter, some fall, some gather themselves up and continue the march. I swear what I just wrote is said in similar words later on in the album...???

13. Goodbye Cruel World.
Upon listening to the words of this song, many might believe that it refers to suicide. But in fact, I believe it is the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into the butterfly. This is the point where "Pink" disappears into his "coccoon", to emerge as a stronger, less vulnerable entity. During the staged concerts, Pink Floyd used this song as the point to complete a real wall built on stage that blocked the band from the view of the audience and the start of intermission.

14. Hey You.
If you go inside a coccoon, you must eventually emerge. Hey You is the emergence. It is the shadow of a person coming out on the other side. Not fully intact, yet able to self-assess. Fragile like the wings of a new butterfly, unable to fly and completely naked . Able to comprehend but unable to join in. On a separate plane to the rest, gliding along, judging, being judged. It is also a statement on modern society I feel. Everyone is technologically so much closer, internet, email, fax, phone, sms, mobile phones...but can we hear each other. How loud do we have to call before someone answers?

15. Is There Anybody Out There?
Having built his wall...Pink feels he is not happy with the way things are. He is totally cut out and is suffering. The music iteself starts with two droning notes. It is a statement on the futility of life without contact. Pink has made his choice but now feels he must send feelers out to reconnect himself with humanity. The Madman repents. The music itself starts as a drone, but builds to a pleasant sounding climax that leaves the listener wondering which way the music may turn.

16. Nobody Home.
The choice has been made. Pink doesn't like his self imposed mental exile, but it's not that easy. Everyone has internal struggles that must come to pass before the way is clear. Society has standards that it expects, we expect and must abide by before we classs ourselves, (or are classed), as sane. Stereotypes myst be met. Anyone outside the boundaries of stereotype can, and will be judged. All of this can be a nerve-wracking experience, expecially to someone mentally fragile after a breakdown. Yet this song builds to the point where we feel the Pink will come out the other side, just how, we don't know yet.

17. Vera.
During his struggle with reality and return to the mainstream, Pink deals with the foundations of his downward spiral. As the first side of the album states "Goodbye Blue Sky", this song now alludes to the fact that we are coming out the other side. Vera Kynn states in her song, "We'll meet again, some sunny day". The return of the clearer times as coming, but not necessarily the same as old times. The song is intended as a symbol of return from bad, but not to a world that is perfect.

18. Bring The Boys Back Home.
Although this song may be close to Roger's heart for the loss of his father in WWII, it can also serve as a statement of not letting society become too entangled in things. Don't let life rule you, you rule life. Return your way of thinking to the liberal. In many ways, it feels out of place in the album, but once the meaning is observed, it is perhaps a song that is more aesthetic than phonetic.

19. Comfortably Numb
The first point that we must address is that Pink's question, "Is There Anybody Out There?", is being answered here. Once the turmoil has passed, and the dust has settled and life has fallen to a groove with pink, the "wall" that he has built around himself is enough to stop intrusion, and enough to add a level of comfort for Pink's fragile mind, but it's not thick enough to stop all communication. Syd Barrett cliches abound here too. A world full of people trying to reach the self-exiled. Someone who will only hear what they want to hear, when they want to hear it. The pain has gone but what has been left is the opposite of pain, an unbearable longing to feel. The unability to feel that is painful in itself. I have also heard that the guitar solo in this song by David Gilmour has been voted 2nd best beaten only by the Eagles "Hotel California".

20. The Show Must Go On.
True to the words, like any theatre, the music must go on. Could this be a swipe at manager/record companies? Regardless of the casualties of war/the music industry, the end result must match the needs of the public. Individuals are but pawns who are expendable in the scheme of things. To be who you are, and to keep recognition, you must swallow all hurt, pump your chest out and assume a persona that may not always represent who you are.

21. In The Flesh.
Pink has come out the other side, but he has changed. He has hardened, accepted things as not what they are, but as what they should be. The song sounds the same as the beginning, yet harsher, more judging, not as uprising, but urgent and forceful. This is not a song of celebration or expectation, but a song of triumph, solidarity and unilateral conformity. Pink has been moulded by the record industry to what they expect, not what he was. The audience is being forced to listen.

22. Run Like Hell.
In the concept album, this song is intended as a rave from the now psychotic Pink. One can either take it as another tune in Pinks concert repertoire, or as a rave forced upon his audience after his mind has altered. It seems to come as a melee of visions from his childhood as well as a combination of his fears and inadequacies. The delay/echo has agin been used in this song by David Gilmour to create a sense of separation or distance as well as a hollowness that cannot be filled. The words seem to sprout from near illegeable ravings but come to venomous points that threaten harm. Big Brother has come alive in this song in a most deadly serious way.

23. Waiting For The Worms.
After the assault of the last song, this one makes for a stark contrast. It shows that within any personality, there is an inner core that is waiting....like the core of an apple, for the worms. If society cannot accept or embrace a soul, perhaps they are doomed to the outside to wait for what may be an inevitable rot. All perisheables are only good while they are held in controlled environments. Once ouside these, or separated from they resy, they quickly fade.

24. Stop.
Meant to say that Pink has reached the end. He wants to find a way to stop the pain so to speak. But another meaning to this song that I have considered, is that it is a well known fact that The Wall was the final album recorded by a 4 piece Pink Floyd. Roger Waters was the one who finally called it quits in what he considered a stale band. Could this be Roger's inner voice saying he wanted Pink Floyd to stop? Just as Syd Barrett needed to be out of Pink Floyd for his inner demons to stop. We all have some parts of our lives that we desperatley want to stop.

25. The Trial.
The song itself sounds like a court-case. This is in fact Pinks own mind going through a self-trial. In every day of everyone's life, we go through questions and answers that only we ourselves hear. The degree of the problem merits how long deliberation takes. Pinks problem, as perhaps Syd's, was such a hefty problem that a lifetime of deliberation cannot result in an outcome. All life's challenges and chapters serve as witness to the outcome of a human psyche.

26. Outside The Wall.
As a final fading sadness on the album, Outside The Wall is a struggle for us to comprehend the inner workings of a person. Be they sane or not, we can never truly see inside a person, or know what they are. We can come close, live in the same neighbourhoodm but we can never reallt be flatmates. It is a sad end to the album, leaving a note of whistfullness, an emptiness that can never be filled. Even the sound quality fades from the stereo to the mono, no texture to the sound as we all fade into what life brings.