Best Pink Floyd Albums

It's so hard to pick one best album by Pink Floyd, but I think this one's gotta be it. I kinda wanted to pick Animals though, but it almost seems unfair because there's not many songs on it, so it's JUST a few amazing songs, almost like Close to the Edge by Yes. DSotM is a much better experience when you play it as a whole, however. The only songs that really work very well on their own are Time and Money. Every song is top-notch, but they all sound infinitely better when played together as a whole, since it then becomes about the experience and not just the individual songs. When it comes to Pink Floyd and especially this album, you either get it or you don't. You may not understand what the big deal is about this album, and if so, that's fine, since it's your personal opinion. However, you really should give it more of a chance if you're willing to. There's a reason why this is commonly seen as one of the best rock albums of all time.

Probably the greatest album of all time. If not, then it's 2 or 3. This album is so universelly loved, and no one really knows why.

Speak To Me - Sets up the album perfectly with the cash register sounds from money, the laugh from Brain Damage and, of course, the heartbeat.

Breathe (In The Air) - A calm and hypnotic track great lkap steel guitar and fantastic lyrics written by Waters and sung by Gilmour.

On The Run - A song that really captures the stress of travel with it's fast paced drumming and the sounds though-out the song.

Time - Starts of with an arrangement of clocks ticking and ringing, followed by mysterious drums (expertly played by Mason) and simple guitar. Then comes the verse, with Gilmour's aggressive vocals and relatable lyrics. The chorus with Wright's vulnerable vocals and Waters' lyrics sum up most people's feelings about the passage of time. And of course the solo, one of Gilmour's best, and that's saying something. It is just so ...more

There's a reason why this album has sold millions of copies. It's had arguably as big of an influence as any Beatles or Zeppelin album, but more importantly it's themes and feel hold up just as much today, 40+ years on, as they did in 1973. You can't argue with this album, meticulously pieced together by some of the best musicians, conceptualists and audio engineers of all time (who, not to mention, liked to bicker with one another). It's sad, uplifting, heavy, thought-provoking, complex, intelligent, concise, and downright beautiful. And by no means is it overrated.

This was my first experience with Pink Floyd. I actually heard from watching the Wizard of Oz synched with it on Google videos. The second time I watched it, I just came back to listen to the music; needless to say, I liked it. The chord progression in Breathe is sort of eri, thanks to Rick Wright, and David Gilmour's slide guitar solo over it is so perfect, like any of his other solos. The organ that bursts at the start of the second verse adds so much to its character. Any Colour You Like actually does make me see colors in my head (in fact, the whole album does: colors of the rainbow plased over black- pretty much like the album cover, but on completely different levels). Brain Damge and Eclipse are the most uplifting songs ever written. They're so moving that I actually get goose bumps from listening to it. The verses of Brain Damge make me feel like I'm flying and the chorus (as well as all of Eclipse) overwhelms my heart. They couldn't have ended it any better than that. Best ...more

Personally, I think this album is undeniably their best. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is one of the most quintessentially Floyd songs there is. Every song is unique, but the album never loses its cohesiveness. For me "Wish You Were Here" is an exploration of loss, ennui, and classic Pink Floyd cynicism...

And then there's the title track -- there's something about "Wish You Were Here" (the song). It's over five minute run time feels too short, and I find myself hanging off of every note and word. It's so sad, and so simple, and so poignant. Maybe one the greatest songs of all time and without a doubt Pink Floyd's greatest achievement.

I don't need 9 votes. This album is the best. Dark Side is amazing and a close second for sure, but this album if perfection to the highest degree. I love that it's a dedication to their friend and it really comes off in tracks like Shine On You Crazy Diamond and the title track. The production is even better than Dark Side, and its use of synths on every song definitely helps it with me. Welcome to the Machine is an amazing synth song with great singing from Gilmour and it's a powerful atmospheric jam. Have A Cigar is an intensely groovy song with fantastic lyrics and a great guest vocal performance. This also has great synth from Wright parts but this time in competition to the incredible playing from Gilmour, Waters and Mason. The transition into the title track is my favorite of all time with the radio. I get chills when the acoustic riff begins in Wish You Were Here. The melody and delivery from Gilmour is gorgeous and has real emotion and care. The lyrics seem to be about Syd, ...more

1) Shine on you Crazy Diamond parts I-V: Everything about the atmosphere of this song sets up the rest of the album perfectly, while still being an amazing song on its own. Gilmour's guitar solo cannot be praised enough.

2) Welcome To The Machine: The lyrics are the standout of this song. One one hand, you have a beautiful tribute to who Syd Barrett truly was. On the other, a biting review of our society by "putting him in the system."

3) Have a Cigar: Some of Pink Floyd's most Scathing political songs (and that's saying something); Not to mention the riffs, the vocals, the message; all coming together perfectly.

4) The pinnacle of the album. Stripping back all of the bells and whistles; just guitar and a singer, and a bit of hinting brass. You can feel Waters' and Gilmours' and Wright's emotion bleeding into this song. The ultimate tribute they gave to Syd. Floyd's most emotional and moving song.

5) Shine On You crazy Diamond Parts VI-IX: The guitar notes. ...more

Where The Wall had deeper meanings and Dark Side Of The Moon had progressive mastery, Wish You Were Here had both of those and something more meaningful and important: Wish You Were Here had emotion and rebellion. The album's more emotional tone gave us songs such as the acoustic melody of Wish You Were Here and the epic and tear-jerking ode to Syd Barret, Shine On You Crazy Diamond. It also had a hint of rebellion against the music industry. The song Welcome To The Machine spoke from the point of view of a music executive as they welcome a young man to the music industry by manufacturing a generic background and making the man just another cog in the business machine. In Have A Cigar, another music executive welcomes another newcomer by bringing him in and telling him how to make the most money as opposed to making quality content. All in all, Wish You Were Here is leaps and bounds ahead of any Floyd album before or since. The pinnacle of the band's career, it may not hold the ...more

All though Dark side of the moon seems to be the Favorite among Pink fans, I have to tip my hat to The Wall as their hands down best album. The pure genius in this release is so epic in scale as to be untouched by any thing like it. Which really isn't that hard because there simply isn't anything like it. Every track on the release knocks it out of the park and what a story! Mother, Waiting for the Worms, The Trial...there are just no words... Sorry DSOTM Fans, This ones better and in my opinion it's not even close. Movie anyone? The Berlin Wall? Truly Historic in proportion!

Wow. This album is amazing. The songs do not stack by themselves as much as a lot of other top albums. (With the exception of Comfortably Numb and Hey You) But as a full experience... Wow. The album makes you feel. Which is probably the biggest compliment I can give it. It really hits you on an emotional level and by the end leaves you in aww. The story telling is amazing. Like I said though I don't think the songs individually stack up to albums like Led Zeppelin 1V or any Beatles album past 1965, but as a full experience... Wow

Sure, The Dark Side of the Moon is groundbreaking. Sure, Wish You Were here is enjoyable. Sure, Animals is timeless. Sure, all of their albums are masterworks, but none succeeds in giving you true music like "The Wall", the brainchild of then-frontman Roger Waters. This 26-track rock opera gives you an incredible story while also some of the best melodies you'll hear in your life. However, they go by so quick you can't enjoy them, but then comes another! Superb, and the lyrics aren't half-bad, either.

The assembly of diverting, emotional pieces of music makes this album a unique masterpiece. Each song sounds wonderful and still has this certain electrifying, psychedelic character, that Pink Floyd is so well known for. The entire Album is a journey. It's like falling into numerous layers of emotions, comprehending Pinks feelings. I've never felt like this about any other album.

Considering the "concept album" definition, this is the best they made.

I can hear an isolated song from "Dark Side", "Wish You Were Here" or "The Wall", but I cannot listen to just one isolated song off of "Animals". I always need to hear the entire album...

I still consider "The Dark Side of the Moon" the best Pink Floyd's album, but I'm voting for "Animals" because of the "concept album" definition. It really blows my mind.

I think that Animals is Pink Floyd's best album. It says that there are three types of people in this world: Pigs, Dogs, and Sheep. The dogs are really cruel cut throat type people. Sheep are regular people who are herded by the dogs. Pigs are people who think they are so great, but are just pigs. The lyrics are just great, and the instrumentals and singing are amazing.

No question that true Floyd fans will find this album to be the best, followed just behind by Dark Side. I used to fall asleep to this album almost every night back in college. It has an amazing ability to put the listener at peace and take your mind to another realm. At least that's what it did/does for me. And no, I was not high while listening to it. The music was drug enough.

In my opinion, the most unappreciated Pink Floyd album. People use the phrase "concept album" when referring to "Animals", and there is no better word; Thematically, musically, and lyrically, no other Pink Floyd album has the same cohesiveness. The only reason this isn't their unequivocal best work is because the song "Sheep" isn't quite on the same level as the other three songs.

This album and The Wall are tied for my favorite Pink Floyd album. To anyone debating whether or not to get this masterpiece, here are my personal song ratings below. (Just my opinion).

One of These Days: 5/5 - One of the best instrumentals I've heard to date, it's a great way to start the album.

Pillow of Winds: 3.7/5 - A hauntingly beautiful and calming tune.

Fearless: 4.5/5 - One of Pink Floyds most underrated songs, this 6 minute track is very catchy and calming. It also includes a very satisfying guitar riff.

San Tropez: 3/5 - This short little tune is very catchy and upbeat and delightful to listen to. I would give it a higher rating, but its only about 3 minutes long.

Seamus: 2.5/5 - This is Pink Floyds attempt at trying to bring southern/country elements into their music. While it doesn't work too well, they still pulled of a strange yet somehow catchy tune.

Echoes: 5/5 - I cannot describe in any amount of words how truly beautiful ...more

Meddle is in a class of its own. There is so much depth and subtly in this album -- I've listened to it dozens of times and I'm still picking up on new things. There's no filler -- lighter songs like Seamus and San Tropez provide an interlude between the heavier and more complex opening and closing tracks. And of course, there's Echoes, Pink Floyd's magnum opus. While the themes in albums like Dark Side and The Wall may be more apparent and accessible, the subtlety and nuances in Meddle make it a masterpiece.

Easily my favorite Pink Floyd album. I didn't care for it much when I first heard it, preferring DSotM and Animals, but now I absolutely love the album. Still love Animals and DSotM as much, if not more now, but Meddle has risen above the other albums faster than any other album I've grown to love.

My old rating of the album (March, 2018):
One of These Days: 7/10
A Pillow of Winds: 6/10
Fearless: 8/10
San Tropez: 8/10
Seamus: 7/10
Echoes: 7/10
(Overall): 7.2/10

My current rating of the album:
One of These Days: 10/10
A Pillow of Winds: 7/10
Fearless: 9/10
San Tropez: 10/10 (My favorite Pink Floyd song)
Seamus: 7/10
Echoes: 8/10
(Overall): 8.5/10

It's one of my favorite albums of all time and the only album I know of that's able to bring a tear to my eye out of joy

Sure, Darkside may be perfection and their magnum opus, but this one is very calming and has some lovely hidden treasure tracks like Fearless, A Pillow of Winds and San Tropez as well as the 20+ minute progressive rock symphony Echoes. Definitely worth a listen once you are familiar with their more popular albums and can get into the right mindset for the Floyd because this album is really something wonderful and can put you into trance.

One of their VERY BEST. Syd was a poet and really excelled through painting images in your mind through lyrics. The guitar riffs and how spacey the whole album is adds quite a sense of wonder and fun. Its no wonder its one of their most acclaimed

Astronomy Domine : 2/5 I know a lot of people like this song, and I think it's a great way to start an album, but I personally just do no like it that much.
Lucifer Sam 2.5/5 Better than the first track, though not by THAT much. I like the music in this one.
Matilda Mother 2.5/5 A pretty good track. The singing in this one is pretty good.
Flaming 3/5 My personal favorite track on the album. Very catchy, and with some creative lyrics and music.
Pow R. Toc H. 1.5/5 Just a bunch of weird noise and some groovy piano playing. Nothing too interesting.
Take up thy Stethoscope and Walk 1/5 Worst song on the album. the lyrics are senseless trash, the music is pretty bad, too.
Interstellar Overdrive 2/5 One of PF'S signature tracks doesn't cut it for me.
The Gnome 2/5. A pretty good track, nothing too interesting.
Chapter 24 2.5/5 I LOVE the music and lyrics in this one.
Scarecrow 2/5 Very simple song, but I like it.
Bike 2.5/5 Wow, what song. Its playful, peppy, ...more

This album goes beyond any "psychedelic" Gilmour guitar riff you can find in basically the rest of the Pink Floyd catalog. Don't get me wrong, the rest of the albums are pure masterpieces. However, there is a reason why Syd Barrett was so looked up to. His power to create something groundbreaking cannot be underestimated. This album really defines what experimentation is. Most of the songs in here have a childish taste to them and are so well-crafted with multiple layers of very basic instrumentation that, as a whole, sounds incredibly unique and melancholic. The lyrics are meaningful and poetic, and the production is astonishing. The best Pink Floyd album.

P.S: Listen to the mono version!

It's so trippy and nostalgic. Syd was an underrated genius and this has to be one of the coolest psychedelic albums ever, ranging from pop songs like Astronomy Domine to long instrumental trips like Interstellar Overdrive to fairytale stories like The Gnome or Matilda Mother. It might not be for everybody buy you can't deny it's one of the most unique albums.

Let's get this straight, had the album featured Roger Waters with the same melodies and the same lyrics, almost nobody would be complaining. I think that everything in this album is amazing. The cover itself is a work of art and tells exactly the story of Pink Floyd and the concept of the album: Two people (Waters and Gilmour), with opposite personalities (notice how the dark side of the left face faces the bright side of the other) fighting each other to achieve success (Look how their mouthes are pointed to the factory which simbolizes money). However, when these two people join forces, they become one and single face: Pink Floyd.

This album brought them back to their 70's progressive / psychedelic / spacy sound. While the lyrics (though good) are still not up to what Waters used to write, the music is just wonderful with lots of guitars, keyboards and drums "A la Pink Floyd". You get the feeling that they're finally releasing all the ideas that didn't make it in the previous albums after Waters took over. The thing is, I love Richard Wright. He adds so much to the music and this was the first album in which he was really involved since Animals or even Wish You Were Here.

This album is amazing. If you listen closely to the lyrics, it tells an amazing yet sad story. This is how it goes:
Cluster One: Nothing

What do you Want from Me: Fights star up between band members.

Poles Apart: Roger Waters Leaves the band and looses the ''light in his eyes."

Marrooned: Because Roger Waters left, the band doesn't know what to Do, therefore they are "Marooned."

A Great Day for Freedom: Pink Floyd is back and knows what they're doing.

Wearing the Inside Out: Richard Wright who was kicked from the band by Roger Waters is invited back into the band.

Take it Back: The Band is now back together and is avoiding division everyway possible, although they are still divided.

Coming Back To Life: Gimour wants to reconnect with Waters so he goes back to help him, while thinking of the fun they had together in the past.

Keep Talking: Gimour is shy and is afraid to talk to Waters.

Lost for Words: Gimour and Waters ...more

The Division Bell is one of their best albums. People gave it a hard time because Roger wasn't in it. In which, I agree, that will bring the albums rep down a tone because Roger is a genius songwriter. However, the musicianship, the guitar, the band effort, and the heart that The Division Bell has, brings it to life. The lyrics, while not as good as Waters, are still genius, deep and interpretative. It is a fantastic album.

Atom Heart Mother is a wonderful album.
Atom Heart Mother Suite is a wonderful, emotional, unique and unpredictable song.
If is a great song, with a vocal style you would not expect for a Pink Floyd album, very soothing.
Summer '68 is a classic catchy song, but not the most refreshing.
Fat old sun is a underrated, very calming song.
Alan's psychedelic breakfast has nice calming elements and eating noises, which repeat, making it a weird song.

#8? It may not be their best work, but it's pretty darn good compared to More, Ummagumma, and Momentary Lapse of Reason...

My top 10 Pink Floyd Albums:
1. Dark Side of the Moon
2. The Wall
3. Wish You Were Here
4. Meddle
5. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
6. Atom Heart Mother
7. The Division Bell
8. A Saucerful of Secrets
9. The Final Cut
10. The Endless River

The first song is possibly the most psychedelic track they ever composed, atom heart mother suite, but still awesome when not on acid. The album as a whole is not bad, but the first song is one of my favorite Floyd Songs

Atom Heart Mother is a good album, definitely deserves better than 12th.

Atom Heart Mother: 4.5 out of 5
If: 5 out of 5
Summer '68: 4 out of 5
Fat Old Sun: 2.5 out of 5
Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast: 3.5 out of 5

Arguably the most personal album Roger wrote for the Floyd, certainly the most lyrically emotive and contains some of the best songs from their entire catalogue. If you're looking for an album concerned with honesty of expression and breaking new ground rather than over-produced musical trappings, this is one of the Floyd's very best. And with no exaggeration, you'd have trouble finding a more intimate vocal performance than Roger's from any singer in the world.

A truly under-appreciated album. The guitar solos are amazing, and the lyrics is cutting.

I especially love the title track and The Gunner's Dream.

This one for me, but for reasons I don't quite understand it messes with my head. My mind takes me to places that I'd rather it didn't.

Sweetheart sweetheart are you fast asleep? Good.
'Cause that's the only time that I can really speak to you.
And there is something that I've locked away
A memory that is too painful
To withstand the light of day.

Dammit.

Gets my vote for number one. When I first heard it, it wasn't a favourite. Then over time I began to like then love Southampton Dock and Final Cut as two absolute classics (the live versions are arguably better). More recently I realised that 'When the Tigers ran Free' is in a class of its own. All the other tracks add to the brilliance of FC.

This album is greatly underrated. I never hear anyone talking about it but it is just as good as meddle or atom heart mother. It has a lot of great songs like, when you're in, the gold its in the, wots uh the deal, childhoods end, free four and stay. When I heard this album I knew that I had heard when you're in, the gold its in the, and stay on the radio before. Overall, this album really deserves more credit for the masterpiece it is.

In my opinion, this is the most underrated Pink Floyd album. What Gilmour did here is pure rock n' roll made in only one recording session, because is both brilliant and simple... and by far the Pink Floyd album that I will never get tired of listening, and my perfect sountrack for a travel by car.

This album is underrated because it came between two great albums, Meddle and DSOTM. This album is less prog rock and more straight rock. I still think it's a great album and its packed with awesome songs.

This is better than a lot of the albums that are ranked higher on the list, like Piper, Meddle, AHM. Seriously, the only reason that it's not in the top 7 at least is because Dark Side came out a year later.

This album doesn't get the respect it deserves. When She left, Pink Floyd was still just as good. Now that Roger is gone, why can't they still be great? When I first listen to A Momentry Lapse of Reason, I thought it was pretty good but not comparable to stuff like Dark Side or WYWH but then, I got into the Division Bell. I listened to Momentary again and now I'm in love with it. It's equal to the great albums like Dark Side or WYWH. They're still just as Pink Floyd as they were in the 70s.

I really like 'Wish You Were Here' and 'The Division Bell' as well, but 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' takes the gold as Pink Floyd's greatest album. It has an awesome 80's vibe and sounds great. Almost jazz-like with more of a keyboard sound. Lastly, I personally prefer David Gilmour over Richard Waters.

This album is much much better than given due... Just because roger waters is not on the credit list... Some people love to hate it... But if we remove that prejudice... This is a great album... Please give some credit to poor glamour too... Great album...

I don't get what's so bad about this album. A lot of Pink Floyd fans rank it as one of the worst albums by Pink Floyd but to me, it's actually great. It doesn't feel the same without Roger Waters but David Gilmour is a good singer too.

More has some of the best songs that Pink Floyd ever recorded. Cirrus Minor, The Nile Song, The Crying Song, Green Is The Colour, and Cymbaline. Not to mention Quicksilver as well. This album also has some of the best lyrics that Pink Floyd ever wrote in their pre-Dark Side Of The Moon era. Listen to the songs I suggested (besides The Nile Song or Ibiza Bar) if you want to go to bed, if you're stressed out, or if you want to calm down. Hope you enjoy it.

Isn't my favorite album but doesn't deserve to be at the bottom. Cymbaline is amazing!

Amazing album. One of the best soundtracks ever. I don't believe that it's 21.

This album has an incredible variety of music.

Disc one is an AWESOME live disc with songs even BETTER than the originals. Disc two is each of the members doing their own pieces. Wright does an amazing piano piece that really shows off his talents. Waters' songs are probably my least favourite, because they are pretty quiet and weak. Part one of Gilmour's piece is a warm acoustic song with no lyrics. Part two is extremely psychedelic filled with a dark looming guitar riff and weird spacey sounds. Part three is probably the most "normal" of all the songs on the album, being more of a straight up rock song with piano. Mason's piece starts and ends with lovely flutes and horns. In the middle is some drumming with trippy effects. I think this is a masterpiece and deserves more attention.

You people just don't see the art Ummagumma. I think disc 2 is better because that is the album right there and disc one is just some live stuff (which is amazing as well). In Pink Floyd's early stuff, they would every once and a while have a song that is nothing but arty sound efects and I just love that. This is pretty much all of Ummagumma.

Some people say that Grandmaster Meadows is the only real song on the album because it sticks with one continuous riff and the others are just a bunch of noise. But, they Don't see the art and the fun behind it all. It's experimental music and it's supposed to have songs like that. Every song on this album including Sysaphus, The Grand Viziers party, Narrow way, and even Several Small Species are just as much as a song as Grandmaster Meadows.

I actually like a good chunk of this album. And that chunk isn't just the live stuff. Actually the live stuff is only about as good as their studio counterparts with "Saucerful of Secrets" being slightly more listenable than the studio version and "Careful With That Axe Eugene" is good if not a lot a bit weird. The studio side actually does more for me than the live side. I absolutely love "Grantchester Meadows". It's a very beautiful song by Roger Waters (something I didn't know he had the ability to write). And "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict" is cool if you take into account that it was all Roger Waters making those sounds with his voice.
6.3/10

Good 2 disc album but disc 2 wasnt that good because of sysphus and several furry animals. Disc 1 was all good. Astromny Domine, Carful With That Axe Eugene, Set Controls, and Saucerful was even better than the originals because they were longer and more relaxing. The only one I like a lot of disc 2 was granchester meadows and the grand vizer. My favorite album is the divison bell. Ummagumma was better than meddle.

A decent album of great Pink Floyd songs. Good for new listeners just to understand what Pink Floyd music is really like. A foot in the door is more just hits and radio favourites.

This just isn't fair
Who added this? Duh the best of album is going to be the best album

In my opinion, better than the previous two albums (except High Hopes), as it has so many good little tunes and range of keyboard effects, it's a really great album.

Very good instrumental/ambient album. Great way for the greatest band ever to go out. Louder than words is a genius song!

I am praying that David Gilmour will change his mind an go on a tour with nick. A Pink Floyd tour would be beyond amazing.

HIghly underrated. One of my favourite Pink Floyd albums. Sounds a lot like shine on, I could listen to this forever.

I don't count this one as necessarily their BEST album only because only studio albums should really qualify for that and live albums are kind of unfair in how good they are since the band plays mostly just their best songs from multiple albums, giving the album an unfair advantage. However, I felt like I had to take the time (pun intended-I'm referencing the song Time) to say how great this album is. Many of their songs are legitimately played better here than on their studio albums, and the ones I think are better here are Brain Damage/Eclipse, Breathe, Comfortably Numb, and Astronomy Domine, just to name a few. If you disagree, however, that's fine, since we all have different preferences and tastes in music that we can't really control. Either way, the bottom line is that this album sounds AMAZING.

I wish if I was there in the PULSE live how... I think that was probably the best live show ever!

Pulse is why I would want to travel in time!

Pulse is what got me into Pink Floyd.

Some songs from piper at the gates of dawn, and Syd Barret singles. This is the ultimate album for die hard Pink Floyd fans.

This is where it all starts, brilliant obscure cuts from the 60's era Floyd. Greatest Hits Volume 1. Fantastic stuff.

I love Relics... The greatest greatest hits compilation ever made...

I wish it had point me at the sky and it would be so nice. then it would be perfect

Best concert of all time... And no audience.