Introspection and Pink Floyd... Oh dear!

[Seth Anderson]

I was listening to Pink Floyd when I suddenly realized just how much my tastes had changed. Songs which used to be my favorites are now my least, and songs I hated I now love. Being 6am, and I can't sleep, I decided to explore why,,,It is very interesting to reflect on how my musical tastes have changed, and how my own personal experiences interact with those tastes. For example, looking specifically at Pink Floyd, my introduction to Floyd was not well received. I was probably 12 years old, or so, when my mother's boyfriend at the time, Rene, took it upon himself to "help" me do homework I had no intention of doing by forcing me to sit at the table for hours on end while listening to Pink Floyd so I could "calm down and concentrate." Frankly, I think he missed the point that the homework was not difficult by any means, nor was concentration an issue, I simply didn't give a damn about it... but that is besides the point. Anyways, within the first twenty minutes I got REALLY bored. I can't remember which album I was being forced to listen to, but it sure as hell didn't help my boredom at all. It was way too mellow for my hyperactive self.Fast forward a couple years and I had a reintroduction to Pink Floyd. I fell in love with the Syd Barrett albums. Strange, I know. Frankly, I really don't like those albums anymore. I only listen to them for nostalgia's sake. Anyways, I listened to Atom Heart Mother and Piper at the Gates of Dawn after I really started getting into British Invasion and Classic Rock, so it was a natural progression... Those were my more explorative years. I didn't really have any direction, and I hadn't chosen who or what kind of person I wanted to be. So, naturally, my choices in music were widely varied, from metal and industrial to spoken word and classical. I think this actually formed the basis of what would develop into my current eclectic tastes.But it didn't take long for that to change. First came Dark Side of the Moon. While I didn't appreciate it as much as I would later (when I started smoking pot for that short period in my life), it was a truly moving experience. I had listened to the complexities of music before that, but I never understood them. Dark Side of the Moon got me interested in musical theory, as opposed to playing with cool sounds. Dark Side of the Moon was the first album where I could put on my headphones, turn the volume all the way up, close my eyes, and do absolutely nothing else but LISTEN.What really caught my interest at the time, though, was The Wall. I was actually forbidden from listening to it, and from watching the movie, so me being me, I was determined to find out why. At the time, I had pretty much given up on school. I found that the only real challenge for me was finding creative ways of fighting back against staff members who clearly didn't like me. Basically, I was a pissed off asshole with a bone to pick with anyone whom I perceived as abusing their authority. When I listened to The Wall, and eventually watched the movie, I found something to relate to. I remember being with my friends (oh how I miss Sophie and Katrice), marching down the street chanting "HAMMER" in mockery of the rigid and colourless world which was thrust upon us. For those who need reference, the Hammer scenes of The Wall were an obvious nod to how the structures of modern society were eerily reminiscent of Fascist Germany.Before I was expelled from high-school, I finally realized that my anger would lead me to be someone who, frankly, was not someone I would like. So I started really self-medicating with psilocybin cubensis mushrooms, marijuana, tabacco, and music. Dark Side of the Moon became a favorite again, and really helped me understand, amongst other things, the complexities within myself. Now I know people say all sorts of bad shit about hallucinogenic drugs, but I'm going to be 100% honest: I don't do them now, and have no intention of doing them again... BUT I appreciate the fact that without them, I wouldn't have been able to deal with the shit I was dealing with back then, nor would have I been able to so closely introspect and analyze the problems within my life. Basically, I would still be an irresponsible, immoral, angry, self-righteous (ok, I'm guilty of that one sometimes still), asshole. Also let me tell you this: you have not experience Dark Side of the Moon until you ingest a "heroic dose" of mushrooms and smoke some pot before giving it a listen... Ah, nostalgia, you are indeed a close friend.Nowadays, The Division Bell has grown on me. I really appreciate how it has a bitter, retrospective, analytical sort of flavor to it, yet has the feel of moving forward and finally letting go... As if David Gilmoure was looking at the mistakes between he and Roger Waters which drove apart the band, laid them on the table, and finally walked away. It's a sort of sad progress. It's easily to relate to, for me, especially considering the course of my life over the past 8 or so years. I'm listening to it right now, as a matter of fact, and that precise movement forwards while looking backwards... Agh, sometimes words just can't describe the complexities...Well, for fear of repeating myself, I'll wrap this up. I hope someone enjoyed this, and will maybe inspire others to look upon their own tastes with an analytical eye. Cheers and have a good ni- er, morning.

[Rick Horton]

2 hits of acid and Mr. Bungle's Disco Volante changed me forever. Nuff said...