"You just don't get it man!"

Thanks ICL1P. I rarely check What Hifi as they lost my trust long ago.

True, a quick death is always better.

Chris - Sounds like an experience and a half!

I am of the 'progressive rock' generation that was exposed to much innovative music and grew up with it, listening to and seeing bands the like of which are currently featured on Charles Hazlewood's Radio 2 series the second part of which was broadcast yesterday evening. 

RichW wrote: Hi Tim, Floyd's last album with Waters - The Final Cut, is one you should try to hear. It's my favourite Floyd album by far but many seem to hate it... Given the state the band were allegedly in at the time it's a miracle it was ever completed. 'It's a miracle' ... Waters' solo album  'Amused to Death' well worth hearing if you like latter Waters period Floyd. The last, title track, still hits home after countless plays.

In full agreement here. They are, or became, a "words" band - often 'very cutting' words - rather than what is generally accepted to be progressive rock. The music was still in evidence all the way through the band's career, but it began to take on a backdrop to accompany what Water's wanted to express.

I suppose it all depends on listening taste, and those who like a particular Floyd playing style will not find it on every album.

However, the words - the lyrics or sentiments - are key to a liking of the Pink Floyd journey. As I noted earlier, they - the words - will only have a connection with a particular sort, and that type of people cannot be easily 'pigeonholed' - they don't fit a mould like the following of some bands.

In a way, you'd have to have an affinity or even some sense of kinship with Water's life (and Syd's before him) to be able to latch-on and have a clue. That mindset is not in everybody, and so their works will definitely not appeal to all.

If it had not been for the musicianship of all the members, the "messages" would have never been shared with as many. There are "red herrings" amongst their catalogue which makes you wonder how they fit: the answer here is that they don't fit (IMO) - they were just meanderings from the path - albums like Obscured by Clouds fall into that category.

I shall have to try and piece together a list of albums which I think fit the "journey" I am trying (with great difficulty) to describe. A job for later.

Chris Firth wrote: "Seeing that black cellophane outer sleeve being carefully slit with a razor, and the inner sleeve being carefully removed with its precious contents, the artwork, the postcards all leading up to the record being removed from its inner sleeve and carefully placed on the record player, and the hushed anticipation as the needle was lowered into the groove."

An almost poetic description of that special moment when the vinyl was removed from it's cover.

I have never opened a CD and felt that 'special moment.'

Thanks for the memories Chris.

Marsh