Pink Floyd- Echoes (Greatest Hits)
Pink Floyd, originally founded by Syd Barrett and George Roger Waters as The Pink Floyd Sound. Soon after, they dropped the last word of the name to become The Pink Floyd, and soon just Pink Floyd. Roger explains the name of the band as being two blues artists in Syd’s collection. After 2 albums, Syd became ill with schizophrenia and was replaced with David Gilmour. That’s when the music took a big turn. Without further a due, I would like to expose my true feelings of this collection. If there is a greatest hits album that the world didn’t have to see, this would be it. I am ashamed of this CD in different ways. Sure, there are some amazing songs on the set, but there are a number of things wrong with the CD’s. The career of Pink Floyd cannot be summed up into 26 songs. This review will be done in a two section summary (one for each disc) as well as an overall synopsis and pros/cons. I’m sure you know my ratings by now (the :thumb: which ratings correspond to Sputnik’s star system.)
Echoes Disc 1
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The first disc, while containing exceptional music, lacks the magical concepts and stories that have made every Floyd album an instant legend. The songs here are not as much their best songs, as much as songs that covered the entire span of their career. Unlike the previous reviewer, I am a fan of Syd Barrett, so you don’t have to worry about bias and me calling every track from ‘Piper’ stoner music. Anyways The first track, Astronomy Domine, is a personal Syd-era favorite of mine, with playful lyrics such as “Lime and Limpid Green” and mellow, innocent music. See Emily Play is another Syd-era track, but I don’t like it as much as it’s predecessor. Here comes a span of latter-day music. The spree kicks off with the infamous helicopter blades and screaming of Happiest Days of Our Lives, the famous prequel to Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II. This is the song that everybody, fan or not, seems to know. With it’s incendiary anthem-like chorus of “We don’t need no education” and bebop disco grooves, to it’s magical guitar solo, this song was a legend in it’s own time. The longest song here, Echoes is next with a little surprise that disappoints me. The 23 minute epic was cut back nearly 7 minutes due to lack of space. This song, in and of itself, is pure, raw, and amazing. Up next, is the Wall’s Hey You, a fretless bass driven song with calm vocals and eerie guitar interludes, only to end on one of the more bizarre lyrics. Marooned is filler, as is my opinion on most of the Division Bell. I could’ve been happier with a full length Echoes and having this gone. Great Gig in the Sky was possibly the most surreal track on Dark Side of the Moon, with it’s hypnotic keyboards and vocal solo, courtesy of Claire Torry. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun seems to be the official “Waters-dictated” song on the CD. Money doesn’t need an introduction (cliché and contradictory, I know). From the raunchy bass, to the poppy sax and wailing guitar, this song is packed with haunting lyrics of one of the seven deadly sins- greed. After another post- Roger song, the only (and my least favorite) song off Animals, Sheep comes in. With it’s percussive bassline and organic keys, to Roger holding out notes for well over 10 seconds, this song is probably the most “mainstream” song off the album. Sorrow, a mellow track from Momentary lapse of reason, ends the first disc.
Pros
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+ Musicianship is exceptionally simplistic and blissful
+ Guitar work is magnificent
+ Rick Wright is awesome
Cons
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- Echoes cut short
- Filler tracks
- Not necessarily best songs, just covers entire career
- Division Bell isn’t good
- Only one Animals track
Rating (musically): :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Rating on Concept (or lack of): :thumb: :thumb: and ½
Echoes- Disc 2
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Well, this is probably the better of the two discs, but that isn’t exactly saying much. The album kicks off with two amazing songs, Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Time. Both are personal Floyd favorites with the screaming guitar solos and bebop saxes on the earlier, and the growling bass riff and in-your-face melodies of Time. The next song, Fletcher Memorial Home is Roger Waters’ dictated tribute to his recently passed on father. The song is so depressing it’s not funny. If you are in a bad mood, I highly suggest you hit skip. Roger’s voice is deep and gloomy, while basic piano supports the lyrics. Not a highly recommended track. Comfortably Numb is another fanboy song, with lyrics of drug abuse and two beautiful guitar solos. When the Tigers Broke Free is yet another filler track but leads into the menacing dueling basses of One of These Days. Another gem from Meddle, this instrumental is pretty creepy, but awesome. Us and Them is a pretty ditty from Dark Side, with a cheerful feel, and a sax that just makes the song flow. Learning to Fly is one of the few post-Waters’ gems and Arnold Layne, the bands first single ever, is pretty creepy. It’s about a cross dresser who steals women’s clothing. Not a song you’d expect Syd to write (maybe, now that he‘s schizo). Wish You Were Here is probably one of the more popular Floyd songs, with gentle acoustic licks and heartfelt lyrics about the band’s founder and former mastermind, Barrett. Jugband Blues is probably the most playful Saucerful of Secrets song. The opening lyric is awesome. “It’s awfully considerate of you to think of me here, and I’m most obliged to you for making it clear that I’m not here.” Cool, eh? High Hopes is but another Division Bell song (sorry, but I just can’t seem to like DB) and lacks the force that the previous line-up had. The finale, Bike is a charmer with warm, playful lyrics. I love this song because it’s melody is so simplistic and catchy. “I know a mouse, and he hasn’t got a house. I don’t know why I call him Gerald.” It’s an all around jokey song with a fun ending.
Rating (musically): :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: and ½
Rating on Concept or originality: :thumb: :thumb: and ½
Pros
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+ Great Music
+ Songs from both great eras
+ Bike rocks
Cons
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- No magical concepts
- Filler tracks
- Post-Waters’ Floyd wasn’t as good
- Floyd’s genius doesn’t fit into 26 songs
Overall: The music and songs are sure amazing. But I would much rather spend $60 more to buy a box set. The songs range from great to horrible on this CD. Part of the genius of Pink Floyd was the creative concepts that told the stories within their songs. Having a greatest hits of Floyd doesn’t exactly capture the essence that makes them so unique. So while the music is there, the magic isn’t. [3/5]
This Message Edited On 08.09.05
