Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

What can anyone say about The Dark Side of the Moon that hasn't already been said? I am always astounded when I hear people say that they do not like this record. This LP is in my top two Floyd records.  I can say that I have a near mint Canadian pressing from the 1980s, complete with stickers and posters. I purchased it in a record store in Guelph, but I can't recall which one. If you have never heard this, you are missing out. 

Pink Floyd: Meddle (1971)

My copy of the band's sixth LP is the Canadian fourth pressing. It contains some of my favourite Floyd tracks, like Fearless, San Tropez, and Echoes. 

The album's title Meddle is a play on words: a medal, and to interfere. Storm Thorgerson of the art-design group Hipgnosis originally suggested a close-up shot of a baboon's anus for the album cover photograph. He was overruled by the band, who informed him via an intercontinental telephone call while on tour in Japan that they would rather have "an ear underwater". The cover image was photographed by Bob Dowling. The image represents an ear, underwater, collecting waves of sound (represented by ripples in the water). Thorgerson later expressed dissatisfaction with the cover, claiming it to be his least favourite Pink Floyd album sleeve: "I think Meddle is a much better album than its cover".Thorgerson's colleague Aubrey Powell shared his sentiments, saying: "Meddle was a mess. I hated that cover. I don't think we did them justice with that at all; it's half-hearted." The gatefold contains a group photograph of the band (Floyd's last until 1987's A Momentary Lapse of Reason). [source]

I agree that this cover is awful. The tunes are great, and much better than anything the band had released prior and loser to what came next.

Pink Floyd: A Nice Pair (1973)

A Nice Pair is a compilation album that collects Pink Floyd's first two records, those being The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and A Saucerful of Secrets. About the scandalous cover art:

The cover is by Hipgnosis, who designed many other Pink Floyd covers, and consists of four grids of nine small images including some proposed but previously unused album cover designs. Several images depict a well-known phrase or saying in the form of a visual pun; for instance, the centre right-hand panel on the front depicts "a fork in the road", while the bottom right represents "a fine kettle of fish". Another picture presents two puns on the album title: a nice pear, and an image of a woman's pair of breasts; the latter is censored with a black bar on some copies, while other US copies opted to cover it with a purple and white sticker over the shrink wrap. Initial copies had a picture of a Mr. W.R. Phang's dental surgery on the cover (a genuine business photographed in Hammersmith, west London), but Dr. Phang objected because NHS dentists were not permitted to advertise, and the picture was replaced with one of a gargling monk. US editions from the 1980s restored both the nudity and the W.R. Phang photo. The selection of band photos on the inside cover also varies, with some copies including a photo of a shirtless, disturbed-looking Syd Barrett from The Madcap Laughs cover photo session, while others replace it with a photo of a smiling Barrett sitting by a car. [source]

My copy is a Canadian pressing, and I would guess it's from the 1980s (but it might be an earlier copy), though Discogs does not have a date for mine. It has the restored images that had been censored by pecksniffs in the past. 

This is really a good collection to have because early copies of the first two Floyd records -- even from the 1980s -- are a challenge to find for a good price and in reasonable condition. Of course, Dark Side of the Moon was released earlier in 1973, and it represented a radical departure in sound, moving away from psychedelia to a prog rock sound. So, this was kind of a call back to earlier days. I have to assume that the record label decided to cash in on the success of Dark Side of the Moon by releasing this compilation. 

Pink Floyd: Relics (A Bizarre Collection of Antiques & Curios) (1971)

Wikipedia has a wealth of information bout this release, such as:

The release of Relics occurred because the band's record company, EMI, were concerned that they had gone into the studio to record what would become Meddle without any songs or ideas, effectively starting from scratch. This, combined with their ever-increasing touring schedule, made EMI realise that no new product would be released for some time, possibly not until well over a year after completing their previous album, Atom Heart Mother. In order to issue some more "product" for fans, they decided to release a budget priced LP on their Starline label, combining early singles, B-sides, album tracks and one unreleased song, "Biding My Time". The compilation contains material from the first three albums: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, A Saucerful of Secrets and More. [source]

So, I guess for completists, this is important as it was the only way, until then at least, to have Biding My Time on vinyl. I do not love that song, but Relics is a really good collection of early material.

I have a 1981 Canadian pressing. You could probably find a copy of this pressing for $20-$25.

Pink Floyd: Atom Heart Mother (1970)

Atom Heart Mother is my least favourite PF record. I prefer side two. Somehow, I have an unofficial release, which I have to assume is sourced from a digital file. I guess this is what happens when you cannot wade through hundreds of releases on Discogs to try to figure out what version it is. It sounds OK, but I would rather have a real pressing. 

Pink Floyd: Ummagumma (1969)

Now, here is where I need to mention that I sold some of my record collection back in the day when CDs came onto the scene. I bought a few records as replacements in later years, but I am still angry with the decision to part with some of these records. My copy is a 1983 Canadian repressing. 

From Wikipedia:

"The album's title supposedly comes from Cambridge slang for sex, commonly used by Pink Floyd friend and occasional roadie, Iain "Emo" Moore, who would say, "I'm going back to the house for some ummagumma". According to Moore, he made up the term himself." [source]

I had no idea. Also, from Wikipedia:

The first disc consists of live recordings from concerts at Mothers Club in Birmingham and the College of Commerce in Manchester that contained part of their normal set list of the time, while the second contains solo compositions by each member of the band recorded at Abbey Road Studios. The artwork was designed by regular Floyd collaborators Hipgnosis and features a number of pictures of the band combined to give a Droste effect. It was the last album cover to feature the band.

From Discogs:

Pink Floyd's first release on Harvest Records.
Originally released on October 25, 1969.

The First Disc (SHDW 1) is a Live Album.
Sources of the original studio recordings:
- A1 ‎– "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn"
- A2 ‎– "Point Me At The Sky" Single
- Side B ‎– "A Saucerful Of Secrets"
(Total Duration: 39:15)

The Second Disc (SHDW 2) is a Studio Album.
At 16 words, track C3 has the distinction of having the longest name ever carried by a Pink Floyd song.
(Total Duration: 48:44)

Cover Design Trivia;
- Album's cover utilizes infinity mirror effect.
- The album, whose package is shown on cover (over the band's name) is MGM's Gigi - Original Cast Soundtrack Album (which was released 11 years earlier) was removed on US Vinyl Pressings.

My copy also has a black album jacket. I think this is better than the reviews suggest.

Pigbag: Sunny Day (1981)

 

Oddly the title track on this 12" single is Sunny Day, when it should be Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag. The latter song means a lot to me as it was once the the music for the TV show The New Music, which was my favourite show for years and years. I refused to go out on some nights, if it meant that I would miss the show. I also hated it if the house was noisy. I was glued to every word and I discovered a lot of new music through this show. 

Picastro: Become Secret (2009)

From Discogs: "Picastro is an experimental indie rock band formed in 1998 in Toronto, Canada." 

From Wikipedia: "Picastro is a Canadian slowcore and rock music band based in Toronto, Ontario. The band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Liz Hysen, and currently includes cellist Nick Storring, synth and guitarist Matthew Ramolo (Khora) and drummer Germaine Liu. Past members included Evan Clarke, Rachel McBride, Owen Pallett, Stephanie Vittas, Kurt Newman, Alex McLeod and Zak Hanna."

I have seen this band in concert. I like this.