Top 5 Pink Floyd Albums

Oh, no, this is an evil can of worms for me.

1. The Wall.
It's just barely here. Dark Side of the Moon was interesting and innovative enough to earn the number two spot, but being a big theatre guy and writer, I tend to love a good story, and told through music? (By the way, I hate most musical theatre; I'm not THAT kind of theatre guy) And told through PINK FLOYD? The emotional epic that is The Wall, not to mention the musical layering and variation, is excellent. Not only does each and every track add a nice new layer to the main character and his story, but they work well individually, as well, in most cases. (Empty Spaces is an exception)
Comfortably Numb? Best Floyd solo out there! Beautiful! Heart-wrenching. Absolutely superb. I recognize its weaknesses in regards to Dark Side of the Moon (which IS a better record, but not my personal favorite), but it remains a sentimental favorite to me.

2. Dark Side of the Moon.
The musical innovation on this record is staggering. Every track is engaging and adds something great to the overall piece. It's magnificent; a treasure, and one of the greatest records of all time. The only shortcomings are that it really only works as one part, sans "Money," "Us and Them," and "Breathe." The rest are great tracks, but don't work nearly as well alone. "Money" has a solo which everyone says is OLD because of the radio play. Well, I'm disadvantaged because I wasn't around way back then. I've heard it, covered it, and still love it. So...THAR.

3. ...Umm...well...it's...
THEFINALCUT.
THERE, I said it.
WHY? You ask? Well, didn't I mention earlier I was into theatrics? Yeah, well, that is why. In all honesty, I think the main reason people dislike it is because it isn't stylistically Pink Floyd. As a record under any other band, it's actually incredible. Again, it's a story about some guy and there's something about war going on. Whatever. The individual tracks work well, and as a whole it's great. It's epic. The emotion is gripping, actually, especially if you have the release with "When The Tigers Broke Free," which still brings tears to my eyes. 'And no one survived' is usually where it gets intense for me. xD
"Paranoid Eyes" is often said to be one of the mediocre tracks; I disagree. It adds depth in the weakness of the character. Insecurity. The strongest characters are always the weak ones.
"Not Now John"? The solo is great! Plus the 'Can't stop lose job mind gone silicon' etc portion is really slick.
Lastly, because I AM running long, the title track and "Southampton Dock." Both emotional epics. Both awesome.
It's just a great story. It's essentially a Roger Waters solo album, which DOES annoy the Pink Floyd maniac in me, but I'm also a fan of Roger's work, so that intervenes as well. First and foremost, however, I am a music enthusiast and critic. This part of me sees the true beauty of this record as a great addition to music. Stop throwing tomatoes.

4. Wish You Were Here
Not like I'd get even more fruits thrown at me if I didn't put this here. It's obviously a sad epic, which seems to be my weakness at this point. I love the story behind "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," how Syd's return brought Roger to tears. Usually, you have to bring up the war or his mum to do that! ;P The title track is wonderful, one of the icons of Pink Floyd. "Have a Cigar" is great as well, much akin to "Money." Overall, it's a really great record and one of the best (obviously) for Pink Floyd.

5. Meddle
This is very nearly tied with Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Meddle would be higher up if "Set Controls to the Heart of the Sun" was on here. This is the sound you think of when you hear the words "Pink" and "Floyd," if not in that order. The mellow, interestingly layered sound. Dark, intriguing, and innovative. None of that wishy washy The Who inspired stuff from the previous Saucerful of Secrets. An excellent listen.

Honorable mention:
A Momentary Lapse of Reason
I know no one likes this, but it was one of my firsts and, much like with The Final Cut, I tend to ignore the previous work when listening and enjoy it for what it is.
Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Syd was a disturbed genius. This stuff is just...ah...weird. But awesome.
Animals
Not as good as Wish You Were Here; I make the comparison because of similarities in the structuring. "Dogs," however, stands out as one of the band's best songs. Ever. Period. It's great.


THERE. *deep breath*

Yes, make what you will of that! wink wink

My top 5 in no order, because it can change daily!

Atom Heart Mother
Meddle
Obscured By Clouds
Animals
Dark Side

The wall/ its just so curiously interesting
Animals/ the guitar solos are just amazing and the sound effects add to the feel of the music
Division bell/ its piano and bass is simply the best of any album
Dark side of the moon/ Its just wild and the songs in it and some of the best Pink Floyd made
The final cut/ its just so sad and gloomy but has good solos on any instrument

Dark Side of the Moon
Wish You Were Here
Animals
The Wall
More/Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

The Wall
Animals
Wish You Were Here
The Final Cut
Meddle

1. DSotM
2. Meddle
3. Animals
4. The Wall
5. WYWH

Although, I've really come to appreciate


Dub Side of the Moon by Easy Star All Stars
The Doctored Remix of Dark Side of the Moon by some bloke who does some web radio
Some bootleg that I've got from 1973 (poss. '72) of DSotm

too.

To me, the top 5 albums of Pink Floyd are:

1)The Wall
2)The Dark Side of the Moon
3)A Momentary Lapse of Reason
4)Wish you were here
5)The Division Bell

1. Animals - This one pleased me the most when I was getting into the band. Only five tracks actually appeals to me for some reason. The guitar work here, like many have said, is incredible (especially the ending solo of Pigs, better than the Comfortably Numb solo in my opinion.) I also like the meaning of the lyrics and how the whole message can be even more relevant today. I also like the idea of picking your favorite track between the major three, since they are all special in their own way. Mine is pigs.

2. The Dark Side of the Moon - Classic. Great flow between the songs and I like it's message about life.

3. Meddle - The intensity of One of These Days, then the nice calming mood of the rest of the tracks, and then the masterpiece Echoes which is just awesome and unique.

4. The Wall - First time I listened to it I was blown away. I like the concept, and the hard rock elements it's got throughout. Very nice album.

5. Ummagumma - This one is purely for just being there. I probably will never touch it again, not because it's bad, but because it's just so scary at some moments that I feel like it shouldn't be touched. Very difficult to understand and very artistic, it really changed my image of Pink Floyd (in the good way).

I'm new to this forum and I've always wanted to discuss Pink Floyd without looking like I'm obsessed so.. this forum does the job.

1. Dark Side of the Moon/Wish You Were Here/Animals
4. The Wall
5. Meddle

I really can't separate the top 3. They're all brilliant from start to finish. 'The Wall' is a masterpiece. Meddle has such a great vibe and if it weren't for 'San Tropez' and 'Seamus' I dare say it'd pretty much be in the same league as the top 3.