Pink Floyd Albums Ranked
Here at Return of Rock we present you with some of the finest Pink Floyd albums of the past half century. The tunes on this list are sure to sound crisp and bring back memories when you spin the vinyl on your record player. Here are all of Pink Floyd’s albums ranked.
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15. Ummagumma (1969)
“While the live side of this album is amazing, the studio album of Ummagumma is one for the true fans. It can be quickly dismissed by many as “weird” or just not good but it is art in its finest form. It can be an acquired listen for some and others might just never like it. I love this audio album from Rick Wright to Nick Masons parts. All the members did a fine job, and if you regard that this album Was recorded around 1969, you’ll be baffeled to how some of the sounds on this album we’re created. Pink Floyd, music masters, really delivered on this wonderful album resmasted in 2016. Must have for a true Floydian.”
14. More (1969)
“Most people have not heard this. Even pink floyd fans. It is really excellent maybe better than ummagumma and animals. Almost 5 stars. Really give this one a listen. Criminally underappreciated due to the greatness of meddle, dsotm, wall, wish you were here.”
13. A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
“What a great find. Somehow I missed this Floyd release back in the day and am just now discovering it. This album / disc is fantastic! With the obvious cuts like Sorrow, Learning to Fly & On the Turning Away (I remember these from all the radio play). But the best tracks are gems like: Dogs of War, One Slip and my favorite Terminal Frost. This is must have for any Pink Floyd fan!”
12. Obscured By Clouds (1972)
“This album by Pink Floyd is amazing and Perhaps becoming my favorite album of theirs. The songs have a country influence to them that gives the album a relaxed feel centered around love type lyrics. All these remasters don’t disappoint as sound is concerned they all sound terrific on vinyl so far the ones I did get so far that being this one Meddle and Wish You Were Here.”
11. The Endless River (2014)
“I really like this record! The pre-publicity suggested it was a beefed-up version of an ambient chill-out mix from out takes from The Division Bell but it is much more than that. Essentially an instrumental record with only one vocal track. In a strange way this freed them from the latter day Floyd search for worthy lyrics and allowed them to focus on the music. And what music! Rooted in the sound of latter day post Waters Floyd but with numerous nods to their previous incarnations – the drums could be playing A Saucerful Of Secrets at one stage. It’s a bit ambient, a bit psychedelic, a bit rocky, a bit poppy, a bit AOR and altogether something wonderful unto itself. There are great dynamics from gentle piano bits to soaring ensemble pieces, loads of atmospherics and nothing is too long which helps it retain your interest. A fitting tribute to Rick Wright whose keyboards are always present in their usual supportive way. An interesting and different way to end the spectacular career of Pink Floyd.”
10. A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
“I really feel this album is a milestone and at the same time it is a transitional album. Why transitional? About half the album is guitarist Syd Barrett and the other half is guitarist David Gilmour. There are two distinctive Pink Floyd sounds here. You can tell which tracks belong to who without looking to see who wrote them. The start-off point is “Let There Be More Light” and while it is an awesome track you can tell this track has Gilmour. The title track is also a Gilmour-a rather spacey well-crafted tune. While “See-Saw”, “Jug Band Blues” and “Remember A Day” are with Barrett. This album is a true classic as are the rest of Floyd’s stuff. There are no bonus tracks whether you get the import or the domestic, but, still an amazing album.”
9. The Final Cut (1983)
“Most people really like to point to Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall when it comes to favorite Floyd albums, but personally this is my favorite album all around for a number of reason. The album has a way of telling stories of war with each song, during the Second World War. The album has several emotional pieces that will give you goosebumps if you listen closely, the story told by each song and the album as a whole is definitely worth writing about. Essentially if you want to listen to an alternative Floyd album compared to other more popular ones, this one is the one as it will take you on a wild journey of uplifting to rather emotional songs. It’s also worth mentioning that the sound of the record was crisp and not warped the record arrived in perfect shape.”
8. The Division Bell (1994)
“I guess this is in answer to Water’s statement that he IS Pink Floyd. And it an effective answer because it is a really good and consistent PF album. It sounds like PF all the way through and really proves the point, there are three other musicians making PF music and they can do it to a high level of excellence. It is nice to see Richard get some writing credit and Gilmore is the stalwart he always has been. It might lack a little of the stunning depth of Dark SIde but this version of PF developed a lot of material and selected the best for this album. A good listen, true PF experience. You get your money’s worth. Yeah I miss Waters. Groups are groups for a reason. The solo work of individuals rarely arises to the quality of the group working together and this is no exception. Roger continues to create and be relevant but PF continues under Gilmore’s guidance to be the mega-band it always was and even a little bit more accessible.”
7. Atom Heart Mother (1970)
“What exactly made the rock and roll of the mid 1960’s to the late 1970’s so exciting, experimental and sometimes monumental in scope, with masterpieces like “Pet Sounds”, “Abbey Road”, “Dark Side of the Moon”, “Physical Graffiti”, etc.? It’s actually not a big mystery although one might think so. The secret was simple: the record executives of the big labels of the day were older, came from a different musical generation and to them all of these bands were over their heads, so they measured their worth by word of mouth, live gigs or just plain chance. Now, music is broken down, analyzed, categorized and beaten to death before it ever gets out. Bands are thrown into certain genres, never to stray. Hence, many fans have been suckered into this trap too, and have become ridiculously intolerant of their favorite outfits stretching creative boundaries, trying new looks or anything else. It’s stupid, but society is oversimplified and demands strict regimentation while all the while deluding itself into thinking it’s free thinking and lives on the “edge”.”
6. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
“If you like music you should own this album. I could write some in-depth look into each of the songs, the impact this album has had on history, and talk about the rich background of each member but you don’t need that. What you need to know is that you are doing yourself an injustice by not owning this album. Ignore the ridiculous pre-Photoshop copy/paste album cover, this was probably a technical marvel for its time, but the music it holds is STILL a marvel. Timeless and classic.”
5. Meddle (1971)
“In my own opinion, this is the best Pink Floyd record, certainly my favorite. The songs are all great and are all varied, you hear One of These Days and then Seamus is on the same side of the record and it sounds like a completely different band. I love the way this album flows, One of These Days seguing into Pillow of Winds is just beautiful. Pillow of Winds is also one of my all time favorite songs and Echoes is right there as well. Echoes is a complete journey to listen to, taking you way into space then bringing you slowly back down to Earth towards the end of the song. It’s just a beautiful, tear inducing song. Excellent album and also really where the band developed into what they became on Dark Side and Wish You Were Here. They were confident, creative and played their respective instruments like no other on this record. If you’re a fan of Floyd, even if you have only heard Dark Side, get this album and enjoy it.”
4. Animals (1977)
“Incredibly important album that never got the love it should of because it wasn’t full of “radio friendly pop tracks” It speaks a social commentary that resonates even today. Great musicianship, and a strong message. You need to have this album. Yes, you do. Don’t argue. Just buy it.”
3. The Wall (1979)
“Classic Floyd that no music library should be without. Although Roger Waters basically dominated in the recordings, David Gilmour’s cuts are still my favorites. I definitely give Waters props for “Hey You”, but “Comfortably Numb” is still my favorite. As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I can say that the music was absolutely perfect for the time. But to me, it still resonates – maybe because America seems to be back in the 60’s all over again? Regardless, the music is the product of pure genius and well worth listening to over and over. Nothing better for a road trip.”
2. Wish You Were Here (1975)
“Dark Side of the Moon is probably one of the best albums ever recorded. Pink Floyd must have been under tremendous pressure to deliver a follow up that measured up. Wish You Were Here is in fact a better album than DSOTM. The album opens with Shine On You Crazy Diamond, a moving tribute the former Floyd member Syd Barret. The song is long, it is slow, but it is not boring. David Gilmour delivers a wonderful four note melancholy riff that will always remain one of my favorites. Roger Waters lyrics are not sentimental tripe. They are touching but honest. The CD continues with two songs, “Welcome To The Machine” and “Have A Cigar” which mock the very industry that made Pink Floyd superstars. Many bands have become over night sensations only to be forgotten within months. “Welcome To The Machine” may ring too true for such bands. “Wish You Were Here” and the end of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” continue to mourn Syd. All in all a wonderful CD to add to any collection.”
1. The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
“This iconic album is regarded as one of the best of all time for a reason. This isn’t just listening to songs for entertainment, listening to this is a journey that will leave the core of your very being in a different state than before. I as a fan will admit that the words are kind of difficult to understand, but the CD case includes a lyric pamphlet which solves that problem, but you don’t need to comprehend the words to feel the experience, you don’t need drugs either, although it is just as excellent both with and without.”
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