Pink Floyd Albums Ranked from Worst to Best

September 11, 2018 Allison White

Known for their twenty three minute songs, strong political aesthetic, explosive guitar solos, over the top live performances, and use of unconventional sound, Pink Floyd have established themselves as one of the best rock bands to ever exist. Formed in 1963 by bassist and lead vocalist Roger Waters and drummer Nick Mason, Pink Floyd took on a psychedelic and progressive approach to their music, seen especially on their first record, The Piper At The Gates of Dawn. This avant garde sound, fueled primarily by guitarist and vocalist Syd Barrett’s mental illness, propelled into a more political and philosophical sound while still remaining true to their roots. Waters became the primary songwriter for the band, which led to their extremely

successful releases The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973 and The Wall in 1977. These two albums are two of the most popular albums of all time. After Waters left in 1985, lead guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour took over the songwriting lead and released three more albums. The band reunited in 2005 for a tour, but announced that they will not reunite in the future. This list will take a look at their entire discography, ranking their albums from worst to best. Through this list, it may help listeners understand why Pink Floyd is considered one of the best musical acts of all time.

15.Ummagumma Pink Floyd's fourth full length record functions as a two part album, and is glimpse into Pink Floyd’s studio and live ability all in one release. Side 1 includes four live tracks from the previous two albums while Side 2 is all studio work. The album is dark, mysterious, and big. Piano melodies are drowned out by heavy bass drums and atonal synth. Nearly every song harbors harsh, unpleasant noises paired with grand orchestration. While attention-grabbing, these sounds do not seem to benefit the album in the slightest. It comes across as a collection of noise rather than a carefully thought out production. The album’s only relief from the chaotic noise is “The Narrow Way Pt. 3” and “The Grand Vizier’s Garden Party” Pts. 1 and 3. Even though the songs are presented in parts (“Sisyphus” 1, 2, and 3), the album is entirely disjointed and is one big heap of noise and confusion. Favorite Track: “Grantchester Meadows” Rating: 3/10

14. The Endless River Pink Floyd’s most recent release reveals that the band has completely let go of their political rock roots, and has evolved into a band whose only goal is to produce relaxing instrumental music. This album is a good one to fall asleep to, not one for being inspired to pick up a guitar or a microphone. Although this album is not conceptually or musically dreadful, some would even say that the transitions between songs are pleasant, it is a complete departure from the sound fans are used to. The album’s only saving grace is the last track: “Nervana.” This track is heavy, explosive, and a great close to a fairly forgetful album. It is the last thread of the Pink Floyd that is so widely loved throughout the musical world. Although the album as a concept is not terrible, it is a disappointing end to the discography of one of the best bands of all time.

Favorite track: “Nervana” Rating: 3.5/10

13. A Momentary Lapse of Reason The first Pink Floyd album with the departure of Roger Waters proves to cause a dramatic shift in musical style for the band, which unfortunately does not work in their favor. This is an album that relies heavily on the concept of “space” in music, defined by the looser rhythm and slower tempo, resulting in the album being boring and monotonous. Because Gilmour was able to take on the role of lead songwriter for this album, the guitar work is actually quite good. We do get to hear some of the best guitar leads across Pink Floyd’s entire discography on this record, but they are not enough to save this album from its monotony and lack of the level of creativity we are used to hearing from the band. Favorite track: “A New Machine Pt. 1” Rating: 3.7/10

12. Obscured By Clouds Pink Floyd achieves a complete sonically balanced album with Obscured By Clouds. Listening to the album in full is a pleasant experience as each song naturally flows into the next. The album takes on a soft approach with distant guitar leads and soft vocals. While this calmer approach succeeded previously with Pink Floyd songs, it fails here. Softer songs like “Stay” are slightly boring, while harder hitting songs, “The Gold It’s in the...” for example, sound cheesy with strained vocal tone and simple drum fills. This album, while not a complete failure, does not stand in comparison to the album that came before it, Meddle, or the one that came after it, The Dark Side of the Moon.Therefore, this work functions as more of an in between album between two Pink Floyd masterpieces. Favorite track: “Mudmen” Rating: 4/10

11. The Final Cut The last album to feature Roger Waters makes it clear that he is the leading force on this work. It seems that it is “The Wall Pt. 2,” as it is once again a personal account of Waters’ life, specifically the death of his father in World War II. The album relies heavily on vocals with the instrumentation staying far in the background. This is a hindrance in the musical richness of the album, as every song starts to sound too similar as the album progresses. Each song has the same form: Waters’ vocals being the focus of the verse, while the chorus erupts into a passionate dynamic uprising. This focus on lyrics gets Waters’ point across in a clear manner, allowing listeners to easily grasp the meaning of this album. Overall, this album does not achieve the musical height Pink Floyd has previously, a clear sign that the band was moving in a different direction. Favorite track: “The Post War Dream” Rating: 4/10

10. More More is a soundtrack album comprised of songs of various different styles. This is the first album in which Syd Barrett is entirely absent, consequently lacking its overarching psychedelic elements. This album encompasses a lot: some of Pink Floyd’s heaviest work, including “The Nile Song,” while also featuring some of the softest, like “Green is the Colour.” While most songs are enjoyable and considered well composed and performed, the album severely lacks cohesion. More is missing a central theme and a sense of flow which greatly hurts the album overall. It’s lack of flow and cohesion makes it difficult to listen to it in full, while to songs individually is a quite enjoyable experience. Favorite Track: “Green Is The Colour” Rating: 4/10

9. The Division Bell Pink Floyd uses “space” and reliance of musical expression through mostly instrumental work to their advantage on this record. This generally serene, relaxed album shows that the band has moved passed releasing more complex works filled with political contempt and on to a calmer, more pensive approach, which works in the band’s favor. Although this new approach does not rise to the same level of success and liking of Pink Floyd’s albums, it does allow for some songs to stand out, while others to be easily forgotten. The serenity, yet changing song form of “Marooned” causes listeners to both be relaxed and captivated, while songs like “Poles Apart” are rather boring and easily forgettable. Considering that this album was released far past Pink Floyd’s peak in their career, it is a decent effort. Favorite track: “High Hopes” Rating: 5/10

8. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn Pink Floyd’s first studio release is a valiant effort, one marked both by the inspirations of the current popular music of the time and by each member’s artistic psyche. This album was released in 1967, which was during the peak of British break out bands like the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. This work has a very strong British Invasion feel, with its use of layered harmony vocals, twangy electric guitars, and a thick British accent peeking through strongly uttered lyrics. However, this album rises above ‘60s British pop music with its psychedelic approach. This can be explained by founding member Syd Barrett's heavy leadership on this work. Barrett was known in the public eye for his extremely erratic behavior and his later diagnosed mental illness which ultimately led to his departure from the band. The album mimics this eccentricity, which acts as a hit for some songs, a miss for others. For example, in “Interstellar Overdrive,” heavy riffage and rhythmic psychedelia is responsible for its iconic sound, while the disjointed nature of “Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk” leaves the tune sounding utterly confused. This work is a glimpse into what Pink Floyd will later release in their career and is a brilliant first effort. Favorite track: “Interstellar Overdrive”

Rating: 5/10

7. A Saucerful of Secrets The band’s sophomore album builds upon the psychedelic energy of the first, leaving behind the rhythmic and tonal confusion. Pink Floyd takes on a darker, more mysterious approach on this album due to the lower tones of the instruments. The band additionally takes advantage of the idea of “space.” This aspect of space is essential in later records which highlight the band’s career. While this album has standout tracks that are arguably some of the best of Pink Floyd’s career, some, if not more than half of the songs can be easily overlooked or forgotten due to their simplicity. Favorite track: “A Saucerful of Secrets” Rating: 6/10

6. Atom Heart Mother This is the first look into the Pink Floyd known as avant garde, theatrical, incredibly complex, yet singable and foot tap-able. The album, while only four tracks, still comes to fifty-two minutes. This is due to the title track which is a whopping twenty-three minutes, close to half of the album. The title track is packed with many layers of intricacies, including non-instrumental noise, a string and horn section, harmony guitar lines, various changes in dynamics and rhythm, and of course, the Pink Floyd signature of “space.” Even though it is easily the best track on the album and an incredible representation of musical showmanship, it does take away from the other tracks due to its enormous length. “If” and “Fat Old Sun” are both very rich acoustic tracks

that seem to get lost in Pink Floyd’s discography. This is Pink Floyd’s most complex and genius work yet, and is only a foreshadowment of what is to come next. Favorite track: “Atom Heart Mother” Rating: 7/10

5. The Wall Arguably the band’s most well known album, The Wall takes on a new musical and lyrical approach to songwriting that the band has not done before. The album is a personal account of Waters’ reinventing himself as a musician and reflecting on his experiences in life. “One of My Turns” explores Waters’ frustration with touring and interacting with fans, while “Is There Anybody Out There?” and “Comfortably Numb” explore the plagues of his mind. It also takes on a political stance, being less metaphorical than its predecessor, Animals. In “Mother,” Waters exclaims over an acoustic guitar “Mother should I trust the government?” and “Bring the Boys Back Home” includes themes directly related to the song’s title. While the lyrics are the most personal and impressive yet, the album fails sonically across a good amount of songs. Some songs are comprised solely of cheesy guitar melodies and an overuse of synth. With that being said, there are sonic elements to this record that are some of the best we have seen. The second guitar solo in “Comfortably Numb” is easily the best work we have heard from Gilmour. While this album has its strong points, it lacks overall in sonic complexity, revealing that is often overrated when considering Pink Floyd’s best works.

Favorite track: Comfortably Numb

Rating: 7/10

4. Meddle Meddle once again features a twenty-three minute song, but this time, the expertise of the production of this album is spread out more evenly across it. The album opens with “One of These Days,” a song that starts out quiet and calm, but builds into a unexpected yet extremely tasteful, heavy jam. This is the best opener to an album we have seen from the band yet, and it sets a very high expectation for the rest of the album, and Pink Floyd does not disappoint. The album progresses to a soft acoustic piece called “Pillow of Winds” and then to “Fearless,” a relaxed but ear catching tune. The album experiments with different styles of music including jazz, country, and blues, while all remaining acutely cohesive. The album then closes out with

the twenty-three minute piece, “Echoes,” which uses layered synth and guitars to truly emulate a sound reminiscent to its title. “Echoes” explores various dynamic and rhythmic changes but remains true to a solid song form. This album is often overlooked when considering the best albums Pink Floyd released, but decidedly deserves a spot on that list.

Favorite Track: “One of These Days”

Rating: 7.8/10

3. Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd’s follow up to their widely successful 1973 masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moondoes not disappoint. Floyd opening albums with long tracks is starting to become normalcy, as Wish You Were Here starts with the thirteen and a half minute track “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5)”. The track, while quiet and simple in the intro explodes into a vocal crescendo just before nine minutes in. This track explores some of Gilmour’s best guitar work and Waters’ most impressive vocals. The album then progresses to a dark but heavy hitting “Welcome to the Machine,” then to “Have A Cigar” that is quite catchy despite its simplicity and lack of Pink Floyd’s eccentric nature. The title track explores Pink Floyd’s acoustic side and becomes one of the band’s top hits. The album closes with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 6-9)” which unfortunately does not live up to the opening track. This album, while lacking the immense creative energy of its predecessor, is regarded as some of the band’s finest work. Favorite track: “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5)”

Ranking: 8/10

2. Animals The first and only Pink Floyd album to have every song title directly associated with the album title and cover art is definitely a clear sign of a concept album. The album’s opener, “Pigs on the Wing 1” is short and sweet intro the rest of the album, which packs a huge punch. The album is filled with heavy instrumentation, powerful lyrics, and immaculate song form. Each song, with the exception of the opener and closer, surpass the ten minute mark, but deserves every single second of it. Listeners are captivated by the haunting three-part guitar harmony in “Dogs” and the use of the talk box in “Pigs (Three Different Ones).” There is not a dull moment on this record. This is an exceptional example of Pink Floyd’s potential for creativity. Essential to its

categorization of a concept album, Animals takes a political stance, using the metaphors of animals to criticize British politicians and the state of the world. The enormous surge of creativity of Animals is proof of Pink Floyd’s amazing musical capability. Favorite track: “Dogs”

Rating: 9/10

1. The Dark Side of the Moon Every moment of Pink Floyd’s career has led up to this record. This brilliant, gorgeous, and carefully thought out album is a masterpiece. Each song, while having its own elements and intricacies that allow them to stand out, all connect to create this astounding work. Musically and production wise this album rises to the top of the list, but the importance of this album lies in its core themes of life: speaking, breathing, living, and dying, while also drawing attention to the faults and the inevitable behaviors of human nature: greed, drug use, companionship, and wonder. This is a concept album at its finest. The album would not be nearly as incredible if one song was removed or even changed. This album is the most important piece of work of the band’s career, and rightfully so. It has been ranked as number one due to its fantastic musical arrangement and production, carefully written lyrics, flow and rhythm, but most importantly, its incredible attempt to explain and capture what it means to live. Favorite track: “Time”

Rating: 10/10

Sources:

http://www.pinkfloyd.com/history/biography.php

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