ALBUM OF THE MONTH

Album # 46 is The Wall by Pink Floyd from 1979.

The Wall became an immediate success when released in 1979. It didn't take long before the brickwall cover album reached status of a rock classic. By now it has sold more than 12 million copies.

The two previous albums (Wish You Were Here and Animals) consisted of few, but in most cases lengthy compositions.
But here Pink Floyd surprised their fans by delivering a 2 LP set loaded with new songs, and still a concept album, and even a hit single! (Another Brick In The Wall).

The Wall is the story of Pink, a boy that grew up in post war Britain. The charachter Pink is based upon bassist Roger Water's own life but also former lead singer Syd Barrett.
Pink's father died in the war and his mother tries to protect him from all threats of the world. Can't save him from school though. Eventually he winds up in a rock band. Stardom makes him alienate from other people and society. (The episode of a frustrated Waters spitting a fan in the face is well known).

The bricks in the mental wall around him piles up. Pink realizes that he turns more and more into the persona of the evil that started the war where his father was killed. The Wall ends with a trial that takes place inside Pink's head. During the live tour the giant wall was tore down at the end.

The music of The Wall is very impressing. Musical themes reappears here and there and everything is arranged in a very tasteful way. The music spans from hard, loud rock to tender ballads and childrens choir. (By the way, in 2004 the schoolchildren who sang on Another Brick In The Wall begun action for unpaid royalties). Sound effects are used in a very efficient way (helicopters, phone conversation, school yard). The end (The Trial) sounds like a part of a great stage show. But this is a very dark record. Won't make you laugh too much.

S.H.

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