Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years

by Martin Popoff

Take a deep dive into one of the best-selling albums ever on the 50th anniversary of its release with this beautifully produced and authoritatively written slipcased edition.

Veteran rock critic Martin Popoff leaves no stone unturned in taking apart  Pink Floyd’s generation-spanning masterpiece, The Dark Side of the Moon , while exploring each of the album’s 10 tracks and their themes of madness, anxiety, and alienation. Chapters Popoff also takes you on side journeys examining each band member, session players , prog rock , the Live at Pompeii concert and film, Waters’ singular writing technique, Dark Side collectibles , awards, and more. There’s even a brief discography  and complete LP tour dates .

Presented in a 10.5" × 10.5" slipcased book, Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon is illustrated with stunning performance and candid off-stage photography as well as rare memorabilia .

The result is a richly presented celebration and your ultimate tribute to the prog-rock masterpiece.

Genres: Music

176 pages, Hardcover

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

At approximately 7900 (with over 7000 appearing in his books), Martin has unofficially written more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting. He was Editor-In-Chief of the now retired Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Canada’s foremost metal publication for 14 years, and has also contributed to Revolver, Guitar World, Goldmine, Record Collector, bravewords.com, lollipop.com and hardradio.com, with many record label band bios and liner notes to his credit as well. Additionally, Martin has been a regular contractor to Banger Films, having worked for two years as researcher on the award-winning documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, on the writing and research team for the 11-episode Metal Evolution and on the ten-episode Rock Icons, both for VH1 Classic. Additionally, Martin is the writer of the original metal genre chart used in Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey and throughout the Metal Evolution episodes. Martin currently resides in Toronto and can be reached through martinp@inforamp.net or www.martinpopoff.com.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.

PINK FLOYD and THE DARK SIDE of the MOON: 50 YEARS by author Martin Popoff is a complete and detailed account of the legendary and record setting album that has the distinction of having been in the Billboard top 200 albums, as the author notes, for an astounding 961 weeks at the time of this writing.

Author Popoff has probably reviewed more albums than anybody, and I’ve enjoyed other books by him including “ANTHEM: RUSH IN THE ‘80s” and “PINK FLOYD: ALBUM BY ALBUM” that I’ve also reviewed and recommend.

Excellent documentation of the times leading up to the albums making that tells of the band playing unreleased songs from the album well in advance of the recording and release of it.

Recording details and equipment used along with technical information are covered with commentary, and makes use of interviews with others involved in the time period of the recording (most notably Alan Parsons) and a brief but essential description of the origins and history of the band leading up to and following the release of the album.

Highly recommended to all interested in the band and specifically this album, I’d also recommend listening to the songs as you read along, it really helps me to visualize the writings by the author by doing so, something I’ve really enjoyed doing the past several years.

5 stars.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an incredible book! I started reading it and was enjoying it so much I didn't put it down until I was done. It took me a few hours, but it was so worth it. The pictures, timeline, descriptions, and information about the albums/songs were all exactly what I was hoping for. I am not a personal fan of the group BUT I have friends who are. After reading this I am better able to have conversations with them about the group. I will be gifting the book to all the Pink Floyd fans I know as it is a perfect book to have sitting on your table/shelf to just pick up and look through.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Motorbooks, for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The author details the creation of the album. He includes information about the band's early years and the time leading up to the album. There are also sections on the different band members. Throughout the book are numerous photographs, posters and flyers, and album covers. This is a great book for anyone who is a fan of the band and/or album.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Quarto Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book on the history of one of rock music's best bands, and the important album that made them.

Growing up I never really got into music. A combination of living in a small town, being driven around by parents whose tastes were more jazz or AM radio selections, and my only realy audio device being a clock radio or a old vinyl player that I would lister to The Story of Star Wars on. It was not until after middle school, with both the advent of MTV and a cooler selection of nerdy rock music fans that I began to take an interest in music outside of the Casey Kasem Top 40 list. Rush's Grace Under Pressure, and Pink Floyd's Animals were albums I could say changed my life. The music, the lyricism, the long songs, the playing, everything hit me all at once and blew me away. And I began a relationship with music that really has lasted ever since. Martin Popoff, author, podcaster, music reviewer and fellow fan in thinking Animals was Pink Floyd's greatest album has written a book on the album that made the band, and broke sales records, and minds. Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years is a history of this momentous album, the band, their influence and more in honor of the album's 50th anniversary.

The book begins with a history of the band, with brief biographies on the band members, the departure of one, the addition of another, and the albums and soundtracks the band had produced. Readers are introduced to some of the ideas the band had decided to try with their latest album, road testing in concerts, working on lyrics, placement, even names of the album and songs. There are plenty of sidebars in the book, which is lavishly illustrated with photos and art, that describe the music scene, the history of progressive rock, and goes more in depth in the band members and their history with the band. The studios are discussed, along with words from the producer Alan Parsons, additional musicians, recording secrets, a tech guide and more. The book ends with a look at the tours, sales history and the legacy of the band and it's players, and their numerous problems with each other.

Martin Popoff is a phenomenal music writer, a person who has forgotten more about music than most people even know. I've long been a fan of his, reading most of his band biographies, including the the three part trilogy on Rush, which is a must for fans of music. Popoff can write about the music, lyrics, touring, band royalties and residuals, recording, tape effects and the music of the times, effortlessly, educating, and entertaining readers equally. Popoff's discussion on the individual songs is really intriguing and even songs which I either never got into Us and Them, or have tired of Money, now sound fresh and interesting again. Best to read this with the album playing just to soak in the ambient feelings as one reads along.

A great book on a great album that I can't believe is as old as it is. The sound, the songs seem so fresh, the recording better than the speakers any phone or Airbuds can give them justice. I highly recommend anything by Martin Popoff, and a book on one of my favorite albums is icing on the cake. Read the book listen to the album, and enjoy.

[Lachlan Finlayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Pink Floyd is a British rock band that formed in London in 1965. They are well known for their psychedelic sound and innovative use of technology in their music. The band's lineup has changed over the years, but the most well-known members are Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright.

Their album "Dark Side of the Moon" was released in 1973, some 50 years ago, hence this book marking its anniversary. The record is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and features innovative use of equipment and production techniques. The album's design was created by the design studio Hipgnosis and features a prism on the cover.

The band toured prior to recording the album, introduced the new songs from it to their live shows. Subsequent to its release, touring and promotion and massive world-wide success, the band faced unsurprisingly faced tensions and changes in direction. They continued to be active in one way or another, both musically and in other interests and pursuits.

"Dark Side of the Moon" sold over 15 million copies worldwide and topped the charts in various countries. The album won several awards and accolades, and continues to be popular among rock fans of all generations. There are over 1000 iterations of the album in all formats, including issues, reissues, and packaging unique to some countries.

In addition to their music, Pink Floyd is also known for their album cover and artwork design, as well as their collectibles and tour merchandise. The band has a long history and is considered one of the most prominent and successful rock bands of all time.

Anyone interested in the history and making of the "Dark Side of the Moon" album will greatly enjoy this book. It provides new insights and information on the band's history, recording and touring, as well as the album's genesis, production, and engineering. It also includes details on the band's song structure, meanings and metaphors, as well as the band dynamics, tensions and direction. Additionally, the book features abundant contemporary and recent photos of the people, equipment and events associated with the band, touring and recording. Also featured are variations of album and single covers from around the world, touring and promotional material, and abundant other graphics, beautifully presented and reproduced; a treasure trove for fans. It also includes multiple sidebars on Syd, Hipgnosis, album designs, pre and post band activities , solo recordings, touring, album cover and artwork design.


A comprehensive index wraps up nearly 90 pages of text and graphics. Overall, this book will be a delight to any Pink Floyd fan and will provide a comprehensive and in-depth look at the band and one of their most iconic and loved albums.

I wish the author and publishers all the very best with this book.

[Terence Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thorough examination of Pink Floyd's epic album is a lushly illustrated coffee-table book. Breezily written and good for dipping in and out of. It gives as a brief history of Pink Floyd and then dives in to every nook and cranny about the making of DSotM.

It's chock full of some great archive photos - it really goes for the deep cuts. Although I'm sure that die-hard fans will have seen a lot of these, there's plenty to keep you entertained.

That said, some of the photos veer into "filler" territory. Do we really need photos of the "Allison Research TR804 Kepex (Keyable Program Expander)? Looking for all the world like any another box of electronics covered in switches. Or a modern photo of the outside of Abbey Wood studios?

The writing is informal - occasionally being a little repetitive. But it is full of cited interviews - both modern and contemporaneous - which drill down into how the perception of the album and its creation have evolved. There are also potted biographies of the band members

It also delves into some of the peripheral players in the story. Hipgnosis, the studio which designed the album cover gets half-a-dozen pages full of photos of their (non-PF) work. That may or may not be of interest to you.

I know they say writing about art is like dancing about architecture, but Popoff does an excellent job of recreating the excitement of listening to the album for the first time. He captures the thrill and frustration of making music - as well as a critical analysis of how the tracks fit together.

If you like trivia, large photos of prog-rockers, and a commitment to squeezing out every detail about an album, you'll enjoy this book.

Weirdly, it kinda peters out at the end. But, then, I suspect you're meant to flip the book over and start reading it again 😉

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the advance review copy. The book is released on the 14th of February 2023.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon. This book does a great job celebrating the history of this classic album with just as much care put into the writing as the pictures selected. Martin Popoff is a great writer and this book is no exception. He provides a brief history of Pink Floyd up into 1972, details the tour where the songs were practiced, the recording of the album, the album packaging, the albums legacy and of course, every song on the album is discussed in full detail.

My favorite part of the book , are the between chapter writings (on pink pages of course), that discuss topics that help give even more context to the album but are not necessarily in need of a full chapter. These include Live at Pompeii, a brief history of album designers Hipgnosis, the syncing of the album with The Wizard of Oz, the session musicians that contributed to the album and the immersion box set.

The pictures in the book completely match the text discussed, and the book can almost be looked at as a powerpoint lecture on dark side of the moon. Almost all of the reading has an image to provide additional context. This is the first of likely many books and articles I will be reading about “The Dark Side of the Mood” this year, but it will be hard to top. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the album, the author, or music books that prioritize content and good photos.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years by Martin Popoff is both an attractive coffee table book and an informative dive into the making and reception of the iconic album.

My introduction to Pink Floyd was shaky at best, a friend played a couple of albums for me when I was in junior high school (middle school for all you young whippersnappers) and the only one I bothered to go out and buy was Meddle. Then came Dark Side, and I was hooked. This book brings me back to those days and reminds me of the joy that could be found in exploring albums rather than cherry-picking singles.

The photographs in this volume are wonderful and, thankfully, include more than just the usual ones. I like the behind-the-scenes pics as well as the space devoted to those who contributed, especially Clare Torry. What makes the pictures even more impactful is their placement in the text that serves to explain what was going on. While thumbing through initially will be a wonderful flashback, reading the book and looking at the photographs more closely is like reliving some of those times.

This is definitely made for the Floyd fans, though any lover of rock history will enjoy it. This is definitely one I will add to my collection, and it may well get a permanent place on one of my display tables/shelves.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[MicheleReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention Pink Floyd fans - this book is for you. It's been 50 years since The Dark Side of the Moon was released. This is one of those staple albums that is still worth listening to.

Martin Popoff's Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years is not only about this seminal album, as it also includes a short history of the band including its early days of psychedelic rock created primarily by Syd Barrett. While Barrett's early departure from the band changed its musical direction, it was a huge loss that the band reflected in future songs.

Filled with lots of interesting photographs and artwork, the book goes into detail on each of the songs on the Dark Side album as well as info on the equipment used, the album design and much more. It's filled with lots of nostalgia. And the book addresses the story about syncing up the album with The Wizard of Oz (if you're a fan, you know all about this.)

Since it is a coffee table book, this seems like a great gift for the right music fan.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Motorbooks for an advance digital copy.

(Note - I have been disappointed and saddened by the political views of Waters in recent years and have tried to separate those feelings with the talent of the band, especially being a huge Gilmour fan.)

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I received this book, I began reading it right away, and now I realise that I forgot to do a review. First, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have listened to this album from the time it was released, I was thirteen and walked into a record store because my mother was next door buying something else, and yes, back then it was much different. The people behind the counter were playing a new album that had been released, and after hearing a few songs, I had to have it, so I bought it and have been a huge fan since. Here, though, you have a book that takes you through the making of the record. How the band progressed to what it became, the records before this one, how they came up with the artwork, even the engineering for the album, along with pictures, you get everything. This is a fantastic book, at least I thought so, and very much worth reading.

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a ridiculously huge Pink Floyd fan, and I can still tell you exactly where I first heard the full album, back in 1978 at the tender age of 15.

My love for this album has only grown in the 45 years since.

So, when Popoff gives a good lead in to the band building to this album, how the cover and album imagery came about, then a song-by-song walkthrough, and then the subsequent tour and life of the band and album, I'm all in.

And Popoff does a spectacular job. A great book for any lover of Floyd, and especially of this album.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon: 50 Years by Martin Popoff is both an informative and detailed account of the making and reception of the iconic album.

An absolute must for any Pink Floyd fan!

Highly recommended to all interested in the band and specifically this album, I’d also recommended to people with a interested in rock history.

[Gerrod Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using a psychedelic holographic slipcase, Pink Floyd And The Dark Side Of The Moon: 50 Years is a stunning book. Within it’s pages, Popoff is able to celebrate Pink Floyd’s opus through a strong narrative and a vast collection of photographs. Digging deep into the cultural significance of The Dark Side Of The Moon, half a century later, Popoff is able to capture the excitement that surrounded Pink Floyd in 1973.

[JCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real treat for any Pink Floyd fan. Martin Popoff thoroughly explores the many aspects of this iconic album in an engaging and informative style. The vast array of illustrations and photographs just add more to this wonderful tribute to a legendary album. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Gary Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book about Pink Floyd's seminal album that turned 50 years old. Covers the lead up to the recording, the release itself and the subsequent tour and what came after. Plenty of pictures and sidebars covering most involved. There's a couple of minor mistakes and omissions, but nothing major.

[Neville Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

An history of the making of one of the top selling albums. Well written with lots of photos. Martin Popoff is an excellent reviewer of music and this book is no exception.
I received this book from Quarto publishing group and Netgalley for a review.

[Nicholas Serio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an incredible writing about one of the greatest albums ever made. Martin is one of the best rock writers there is and this does not disappoint. Beautiful book for any Pink Floyd fan.

[Maria Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mah, edizione dimenticabile.
Belle foto però

[Cindy Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully done! Martin Popoff's knowledge of the music/rock industry is immense. This book, Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon, is a tribute to the album. "Dark Side of the Moon" was released in 1973, some 50 years ago. The record is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and features innovative use of equipment and production techniques. The book flows perfectly from a brief history of Pink Floyd up into 1972, through details of the tour where the songs were practiced, the recording of the album, the albums legacy and every song on the album is discussed in detail.
The addition of interesting photographs and artwork are inserted with delightful tidbits of nostalgia. Highly recommended to all fans of Pink Floyd and, also, to anyone with an interested in rock history.