10 Greatest Classic Rock Albums You Need To Hear Before You Die
3. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
At the start of the 70's, bands were starting to move away from the 3-minute single and into more progressive territory. Bands like King Crimson and Yes were popping up to expand the range of rock music, but no one brought this complex music to the masses quite like Pink Floyd.
Though many would consider Dark Side of the Moon to be the band's artistic masterpiece, Wish You Were Here shows a more authentic version of Floyd to the world. After being on the road and in the corporate cycle of the music business, the band was burned out. Not only had they been through the ringer of touring, but the stress of the industry cost them their founding member Syd Barrett, who left just before losing his sanity.
With the band becoming more distant with each other, they chose to pour their frustration into their music, which would serve as both a critique of the industry as well as a touching tribute to Barrett. From the title track to the epic two part "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," this album is one of the most harrowing sonic expericnces the band had ever attempted. Though many dream of being rockstars, this album shows the more authentic headspace of what happens when you become part of the machine.