Pink Floyd - The Wall (1979)

Steve:

Pink Floyd's The Wall was quite an oddity when it came out. I was already a fan of the band's work, so I listened with interest. As a 10-year-old, I had trouble following the story being told in the album, so thankfully Dan gave me a rough summary. As this dense art rock album was making the rounds among excited Floyd fans, another strange thing was taking place: the hit single "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" was constantly on the radio, and the "we don't need no education" lyric became the equivalent of a "meme" for that era. It made for a strange juxtaposition - a serious, heavy concept album buttressed by a popular and danceable hit single. If nothing else, that song ensured that virtually everyone knew about The Wall in one way or another.

When the movie of The Wall came out in 1982, Dan took me to see it, and it was my first R-rated movie. Given the cinematic treatment, the album's themes of insanity, violence and misanthropy were presented in a shockingly nightmarish way to my young eyes and ears, and I do remember being frightened by certain scenes in the film. This did nothing to dull my adoration for the album (and the film), as it only added to the gravity and intensity of the story told in the songs.  

Although most Pink Floyd fans rate The Wall highly in the Floyd's discography, the virtues of its narrative structure and heavy subject matter are still a matter of debate. For example, although few can find fault with the excellent first side of the album, which flows exceptionally well and has no weak spots, by the time sides three and four roll around some people find the album a little tedious - especially the melodramatically orchestrated "Trial" that Pink, the protagonist, subjects himself to. It's one of the parts of the movie that scared me, thanks to Gerald Scarfe's grotesque animations.  

But in the final analysis, a classic album is still a classic album. The Wall is deeply entrenched in rock history as well as popular culture, and any flaws it has are all part of the package, take them or leave them. Besides, the relatively slow and less accessible portions on the second half of the album are appropriate, given that at this point in the narrative, Pink has "gone off the deep end". And even in the depths of his demented murk, the Floyd offer two of their most-loved songs, "Comfortably Numb" and "Run Like Hell". Of course, you also have to swallow the horrifying fascist nightmare of "In the Flesh" and "Waiting for the Worms". Not an easy listen, but that's the nature of the beast. If given the chance, I wouldn't change a thing.

Dan: 

Having now been busted for taking impressionable underage children to see The Wall movie, I feel somewhat guilty to put Steve through it. It wasn't just Steve but his friend Tim as well. Poor kids - warped for life! But I jest. I thought the experience would be good for three (including me) Pink Floyd fans to see, but I admit that the film goes a bit too far and could have been less graphic. Mea culpa. 

Diehard Pink Floyd fans should be accustomed to Roger Waters' need to vent his every emotion. I gather he was not fond of school or World War II, and he had issues with parents and bandmates. The Wall's extreme dramatization of such issues is a bit grandiose, but I'm willing to tolerate any serious artist's need for expression. That is, as long as David Gilmour gets to play chorus after chorus of "Comfortably Numb." 

Other bits I like: the nostalgic bow to Vera Lynn, a British singer known for her patriotic songs during World War II; the shocking opener "In the Flesh?" (not the fascist nightmare song without the question mark); and the finale "Outside the Wall," which acknowledges the pain inflicted on all the bleeding hearts and loved ones who support "mad buggers" like Pink.

All alone or in twos

The ones who really love you

Walk up and down outside the wall

Some hand in hand

And some gather together in bands

The bleeding hearts and the artists make their stand

And when they've given you their all

Some stagger and fall

After all it's not easy

Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall