Re: Pink Floyd (August 2010 Band of the Month)
A little personal input (which I encourage from everyone who has fond memories attached to the mind-blowing music of Pink Floyd).
The first time I heard "Ummagumma" I was 16 years old. And dabbling with mind-blowing crazy substances that I don't deal into. I remember crawling in bed after everyone else in the house was long sleeping, and figured I may as well put some music on and try to relax. I was jittery, cold, and generally rather uncomfortable from my head being on another planet. I was certain Pink Floyd would do the trick, and back in those days I still used CDs (I can't stand them now, because of my vinyl love) so I flipped through everything I had newly acquired from a friend of my mother's.
Everything about the album was terrific. Melodic, hush, hypnotic, and absolutely otherworldly. Not only was my head on Mars, my body followed and my soul floated amongst the sound. Until there came a song I'd later learn was called "Careful With that Axe, Eugene". The first few minutes were a delight as the music that came before, until, out of nowhere, this blood-curdling scream sent me absolutely flying. I literally rolled out of bed, out of sheer surprise. I still cite it to be one of the greatest musical moments I've ever experienced.
I had just turned 18 when I started college. It was quite a long walk, since I didn't (and still don't) trust the taxi or the transit. About three miles. Every morning I'd walk up there to be in class by 8. This was when I discovered the magic of the "Echoes" compilation, and that (as well as Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours") became a staple of my walking experience. Just next to the college is a medium to vast stretch of grass and trees with a walkway. Every time I hear "See Emily Play" I think of traveling said walkway, and how the sound of the music echoed the sight of the area, which is one of the oldest areas of town (and was once inhabited by Native Americans). The song still fills me with a whimsical heart full of love whenever I hear it, just for the connection my mind makes between it and the feeling of being one with nature and the spirits that were undoubtedly dancing amongst me.
During that time I had also went out and bought my first Pink Floyd album on disc: "The Dark Side of the Moon". My parents thought I'd completely lost my mind because all I wanted to do was chill and listen to that album day in and day out. They thought I was on drugs! Later on in life I bought the album on vinyl (as well as "Wish You Were Here", "The Wall" and "Ummagumma") but actually, admittedly, hadn't played it until this evening.
I bought three of my Pink Floyd LPs while residing in Cincinnati with a now-ex. He was the one that actually got me hooked during that time, and, not surprisingly, the one I lost my innocence to - while "Echoes" was playing. The song fills me with nostalgia to this day.
Also during that time, I gained my first taste of "The Wall". I was insanely stoned at the time, and the whole thing left me with eyeliner streaming down my cheeks. It was a completely overwhelming experience. Shortly before I moved to Minnesota, I was cruising down the interstate on a moonlit drive when "Comfortably Numb" came on the radio. I rolled the windows down and drove 10 under the speed limit. I don't think I've ever felt half as chill since.
I tried out Pink Floyd on my most recent ex, because though he's almost 30 years old, he'd never heard their music. I was appalled and introduced him to the album that started it all for me (stated above). Much to my dismay he was too much of a cretin to actually appreciate the wonder in the music. I was disgusted, and disappointed.
I'm sure there are many other situations in which their music was present, that I don't remember anymore. Also, in honour of Pink Floyd being the band of the month, and this being the only BOM thread I've written for the forum so far I'm also planning to write 1-2 album reviews during the course of this month.
Now that I've got all that out of my system, I encourage, right now, for anyone else reading to contribute their fond memories of Pink Floyd or some other kind of personal input. Do it for the love of music.
Once again great job! 
