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Lunacy: The Curious Phenomenon of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, 50 Years On
After Syd Barrett departed Pink Floyd, the band that he had co-founded and fronted became a rudderless ship, releasing a series of nebulous (though highly inventive) jam albums and taking on touring expenses that nearly bankrupted them. Their eighth album was a make-it-or-break-it proposition, and its timing could not have been better. Released in March of 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon quickly topped the US Billboard charts and took up residence there for over 700 weeks, selling over forty-five million copies to date. In Lunacy, award-winning music biographer John Kruth ("A fantastic writer"—Jim Jarmusch) delves into the making of this iconic record and considers why it continues to speak to generation after generation of music lovers around the world. Placing the album in its full cultural and musical context, Kruth provides an illuminating look at the ingredients of its great "sonic stew"—a mixture of musical styles from avant-garde electronic to jazz to classical, all of them contributing to its timeless originality. Lunacy features in-depth interviews with musicians, artists, DJs, and many others who have deeply personal relationships with the record, including a passionate astrophysicist, a leading brain surgeon's nurse (who has performed surgery while "Brain Damage" plays), and a woman who gave birth while screaming along to the Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky." Packed with behind-the-scenes details and unexpected insights, Lunacy is not just another rock history rehash, but a celebration of a unique time and the music that made it great.
264 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 24, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Rowan & Littlefield for an advance copy of this history of both an era, an album, and the synchronicity of creativity that lead to it.
There is a time when the tides are right, the suns aligned and ready to be eclipsed by the moon, a time when technology, actions, fashion, politics, drugs and creativity all intermingle and take new forms. This intermixing of so many things creates an epoch when anything and everything can happen, and will. This was England, London especially where musicians, artists, business types, dreamers, schemers and scenesters begin to create visions and soundscapes that would change lives, and blow minds. There were many bands who played better, many bands trippier, even a few bands with more desire, but none of them combined art, skill, drive, and a love of technology, and a need for success like the band Pink Floyd. A band who could create sounds, and songs with great meaning and feeling, shred members who couldn't hack it, and would experiment with their sounds and visions in front of crowds until they had it right. John Kruth, writer, historian and performing musician has in Lunacy: The Curious Phenomenon of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, 50 Years On written about the creation of a fantastic album, one with many influences both from the band, but also from the scene they were a part of.
The book begins with an overview of the scene, a short history of England after the Second World War, austerity, life in Cambridge for the members of the band, and their growing interest in music. The various music types are looked at the Skiffle scene, the interest in jazz and the blues, in which the band took their name from. The rise of the UFO club as a meeting point for like-minded people, artists and creatives, which gave the band a chance to play, and gain a following. Drugs and its effect on the people and the music, especially it's influence on the life and legacy of Syd Barrett, and his leaving the band, by simply never getting picked up for a gig. And of course the album that made the band, made the power dynamics change in the band, and less than ten years later cause them to breakup are of course explored.
The book is a look at a time, a place and confluence of people, events and ideas that will probably never come this way ever again. This is far more than a book about an album, this is about the entire music scene, what life and music was like, and how the band influenced and was influenced by the world around them. I enjoyed the history as much as I enjoyed the information on the band. As both a writer and a performing musician Kruth has a unique few of music, both live and in the studio, and how songs are created. Regurgitating the same stories would be easy, but Kruth goes deep finding and interviewing people outside of music, or people whose stories are new to readers. Kruth has a real gift in sharing stories and insights that just seem new and different, which is rare about a band that seems so private but has so many books written about them.
Recommended for fans of the band of course, but also for people who enjoy book on music history, or for those who enjoy books on the Swinging Sixties in England. A very well written, different story about an album that really changed a lot of things.
There is a time when the tides are right, the suns aligned and ready to be eclipsed by the moon, a time when technology, actions, fashion, politics, drugs and creativity all intermingle and take new forms. This intermixing of so many things creates an epoch when anything and everything can happen, and will. This was England, London especially where musicians, artists, business types, dreamers, schemers and scenesters begin to create visions and soundscapes that would change lives, and blow minds. There were many bands who played better, many bands trippier, even a few bands with more desire, but none of them combined art, skill, drive, and a love of technology, and a need for success like the band Pink Floyd. A band who could create sounds, and songs with great meaning and feeling, shred members who couldn't hack it, and would experiment with their sounds and visions in front of crowds until they had it right. John Kruth, writer, historian and performing musician has in Lunacy: The Curious Phenomenon of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, 50 Years On written about the creation of a fantastic album, one with many influences both from the band, but also from the scene they were a part of.
The book begins with an overview of the scene, a short history of England after the Second World War, austerity, life in Cambridge for the members of the band, and their growing interest in music. The various music types are looked at the Skiffle scene, the interest in jazz and the blues, in which the band took their name from. The rise of the UFO club as a meeting point for like-minded people, artists and creatives, which gave the band a chance to play, and gain a following. Drugs and its effect on the people and the music, especially it's influence on the life and legacy of Syd Barrett, and his leaving the band, by simply never getting picked up for a gig. And of course the album that made the band, made the power dynamics change in the band, and less than ten years later cause them to breakup are of course explored.
The book is a look at a time, a place and confluence of people, events and ideas that will probably never come this way ever again. This is far more than a book about an album, this is about the entire music scene, what life and music was like, and how the band influenced and was influenced by the world around them. I enjoyed the history as much as I enjoyed the information on the band. As both a writer and a performing musician Kruth has a unique few of music, both live and in the studio, and how songs are created. Regurgitating the same stories would be easy, but Kruth goes deep finding and interviewing people outside of music, or people whose stories are new to readers. Kruth has a real gift in sharing stories and insights that just seem new and different, which is rare about a band that seems so private but has so many books written about them.
Recommended for fans of the band of course, but also for people who enjoy book on music history, or for those who enjoy books on the Swinging Sixties in England. A very well written, different story about an album that really changed a lot of things.
March 6, 2023
Published on the 50th anniversary of the release of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, Lunacy delivers on its promise to place the seminal album in its proper context -- in every possible context, it turns out, from the details of how it was conceived and recorded, to its place in the band's history, and alongside every social, political, and cultural current in which the band's history took place.
If you're looking for a detailed deconstruction of every last note and sound effect on the album, that has been done elsewhere in various media, no need for music critic John Kruth to rehash it, though he does recount much of it, as he should. In fact, broad swaths of it are not even about Dark Side, perhaps as much as 50%, and a sizable chunk is not even about Pink Floyd, except for whatever loosely related tangent inspired Kruth to go off on his freely associative asides.
I guess it's a matter of degree. I was looking forward to a broad contextual analysis of Dark Side's place in music and cultural history, but I wasn't expecting this much of it. Bottom line, it depends on whether the tangents are of interest, which of course will differ depending on your own interests. Even those I was pleased to see -- the Incredible String Band, Holy Modal Rounders, Jorma and Janis's Typewriter Tapes -- what relevance do they have to Dark Side of the Moon?
I'm a fan of Gary Lucas, but really Gary, are you a good enough of a guitar player to criticize David Gilmour? Stan Schneir got it exactly right in praising his "economical" approach -- keep your shredders, no one gets more out of every note than Gilmour. And extended meditations on subjects like Dada, Edgar Varese, and Louie Louie, to name just three, were not worth more than a mention -- is it filler, name dropping and humble bragging, or all of the above?
There were also more than a few errors that made me wonder what didn't I catch, suspicious of what I didn't know. Getting the name of the Grateful Dead before they were Grateful Dead wrong (why is that even relevant?), saying a 1988 onstage incident was the inspiration for The Wall (released about a decade earlier!), and so on (I didn't take notes, but there's more).
And mischaracterization, like the aforementioned Gary Lucas critique or singling out Floyd for the 2-5 structure of Any Colour You Like as an overused Floyd trope when in fact 2-5 songs are a ubiquitous mainstay of psychedelic rock, one of the first things beginner campfire jammers go to.
But, now that I got all that out, this was still a worthwhile read. It's really just a matter of focus -- I wanted the balance to tip more heavily to Pink Floyd and Dark Side rather than Zappa (who I love but who belongs elsewhere) and other non-Floydian subjects. And to finish the book off with Johnny Rotten and his I Hate Pink Floyd T-shirt -- oh no, here I go again.
Still, I'd give this 3 1/2 stars if I could -- very good but with some flaws. I'll round it up to 4 stars out of sheer love for the subject matter and a recognition that I can be a curmudgeon.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for this too-honest review.
If you're looking for a detailed deconstruction of every last note and sound effect on the album, that has been done elsewhere in various media, no need for music critic John Kruth to rehash it, though he does recount much of it, as he should. In fact, broad swaths of it are not even about Dark Side, perhaps as much as 50%, and a sizable chunk is not even about Pink Floyd, except for whatever loosely related tangent inspired Kruth to go off on his freely associative asides.
I guess it's a matter of degree. I was looking forward to a broad contextual analysis of Dark Side's place in music and cultural history, but I wasn't expecting this much of it. Bottom line, it depends on whether the tangents are of interest, which of course will differ depending on your own interests. Even those I was pleased to see -- the Incredible String Band, Holy Modal Rounders, Jorma and Janis's Typewriter Tapes -- what relevance do they have to Dark Side of the Moon?
I'm a fan of Gary Lucas, but really Gary, are you a good enough of a guitar player to criticize David Gilmour? Stan Schneir got it exactly right in praising his "economical" approach -- keep your shredders, no one gets more out of every note than Gilmour. And extended meditations on subjects like Dada, Edgar Varese, and Louie Louie, to name just three, were not worth more than a mention -- is it filler, name dropping and humble bragging, or all of the above?
There were also more than a few errors that made me wonder what didn't I catch, suspicious of what I didn't know. Getting the name of the Grateful Dead before they were Grateful Dead wrong (why is that even relevant?), saying a 1988 onstage incident was the inspiration for The Wall (released about a decade earlier!), and so on (I didn't take notes, but there's more).
And mischaracterization, like the aforementioned Gary Lucas critique or singling out Floyd for the 2-5 structure of Any Colour You Like as an overused Floyd trope when in fact 2-5 songs are a ubiquitous mainstay of psychedelic rock, one of the first things beginner campfire jammers go to.
But, now that I got all that out, this was still a worthwhile read. It's really just a matter of focus -- I wanted the balance to tip more heavily to Pink Floyd and Dark Side rather than Zappa (who I love but who belongs elsewhere) and other non-Floydian subjects. And to finish the book off with Johnny Rotten and his I Hate Pink Floyd T-shirt -- oh no, here I go again.
Still, I'd give this 3 1/2 stars if I could -- very good but with some flaws. I'll round it up to 4 stars out of sheer love for the subject matter and a recognition that I can be a curmudgeon.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for this too-honest review.
January 25, 2023
Lunacy by John Kruth is not only a wonderful look at the album but a history that situates it in the midst of what came before and what came after.
If your main reason for coming to this book is the album itself, you won't be disappointed. The tracks are analyzed, including the equipment and technology. If you remember when this was released, like I do, you will be transported back in time. This was the second Pink Floyd album I bought, Meddle being the first. Like many, I bought their next few albums immediately when released. But what really takes the reader back is not just the deep dive into the album but the history within which the making of the album is placed.
From England's recovery after WWII to 60s youth trying to claim their own space, Kruth brings everything into focus using this album, and the scene into which it was born, as the centerpiece. And what a centerpiece it is. You'll come away with not only a deeper appreciation of the music but a better understanding of what made this era of music, and popular culture more broadly, so important and influential for later generations.
One of the real fun aspects of this book is the way connections are made across time and genres. I found myself looking up songs that are mentioned in the text, wishing I had started jotting them down from the beginning. Imagine my surprise (and how hard I kicked myself for not thumbing through the book first) when I came to the playlist at the end. So, for those of you who, like me, tend to make any book into a multimedia experience, go to the playlist and as you read, play some of the tracks. It makes the connections Kruth makes more evident and it just makes the overall experience that much more fun. And, who knows, maybe you'll find a few gems you didn't know or had forgotten about.
On the same topic of added interest, there is an excellent bibliography in the back that gives several different directions for your future reading.
While certainly recommended for Floyd fans this will also be a wonderful read for those interested in music (especially rock) history and cultural history of the mid-1900s. The writing is wonderful and intersperses the different elements throughout, so you don't get bogged down in any one area.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
If your main reason for coming to this book is the album itself, you won't be disappointed. The tracks are analyzed, including the equipment and technology. If you remember when this was released, like I do, you will be transported back in time. This was the second Pink Floyd album I bought, Meddle being the first. Like many, I bought their next few albums immediately when released. But what really takes the reader back is not just the deep dive into the album but the history within which the making of the album is placed.
From England's recovery after WWII to 60s youth trying to claim their own space, Kruth brings everything into focus using this album, and the scene into which it was born, as the centerpiece. And what a centerpiece it is. You'll come away with not only a deeper appreciation of the music but a better understanding of what made this era of music, and popular culture more broadly, so important and influential for later generations.
One of the real fun aspects of this book is the way connections are made across time and genres. I found myself looking up songs that are mentioned in the text, wishing I had started jotting them down from the beginning. Imagine my surprise (and how hard I kicked myself for not thumbing through the book first) when I came to the playlist at the end. So, for those of you who, like me, tend to make any book into a multimedia experience, go to the playlist and as you read, play some of the tracks. It makes the connections Kruth makes more evident and it just makes the overall experience that much more fun. And, who knows, maybe you'll find a few gems you didn't know or had forgotten about.
On the same topic of added interest, there is an excellent bibliography in the back that gives several different directions for your future reading.
While certainly recommended for Floyd fans this will also be a wonderful read for those interested in music (especially rock) history and cultural history of the mid-1900s. The writing is wonderful and intersperses the different elements throughout, so you don't get bogged down in any one area.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 6, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Lunacy: The Curious Phenomenon of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, 50 Years On. However, I found myself pleasantly surprised by this book, which provides a fascinating deep dive into the making of one of the most iconic albums of all time.
What I appreciated most about this book was its historical context--Kruth does an excellent job of situating Dark Side within the broader cultural and political landscape of the time, including the social and economic upheavals of the 1970s, as well as the various musical and artistic influences that shaped the album.
Kruth also provides plenty of interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes and interviews with the band members and other collaborators, which gave me a newfound appreciation for the album's technical and artistic achievements. I found myself listening to the album with fresh ears after reading this book.
What I appreciated most about this book was its historical context--Kruth does an excellent job of situating Dark Side within the broader cultural and political landscape of the time, including the social and economic upheavals of the 1970s, as well as the various musical and artistic influences that shaped the album.
Kruth also provides plenty of interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes and interviews with the band members and other collaborators, which gave me a newfound appreciation for the album's technical and artistic achievements. I found myself listening to the album with fresh ears after reading this book.
February 19, 2023
So much fun! I remember the 60's, but have forgotten so much about them over the years. This gave me a trip down memory lanr I enjoyed so much. I'm not a huge fan of Pink Floyd, but have enjoyed some of their material, And , of course, SId Barret has always been an interesting figure. His early contributions to the band were interesting to read about. The stories behind the band as it developed in 1960''s England was entertaining. I loved reading about other musicians take on the band and the venues they palyed at before , and even after, they became famous.
I think any fan of the time period, not just Pink Floyd fans, can enjoy this book. It was a informative, well written, and entertaining read!
I received a Kindle copy from Netgalley in exchange for for a fair review.
I think any fan of the time period, not just Pink Floyd fans, can enjoy this book. It was a informative, well written, and entertaining read!
I received a Kindle copy from Netgalley in exchange for for a fair review.
May 8, 2023
Some interesting history and factoids for Pink Floyd and Dark Side fans, but I started skipping around a bit when the author sometimes went too deep into a topic, and there was a lot of random tangents taken out of nowhere throughout the book.
October 1, 2024
It’s hard to imagine, but Pink Floyd was a rudderless ship that had one shot to make it. How it got to the Dark Side of the Moon—and its improbable reception—is at the heart at this tale. Full of facts in jumbles, a reader also becomes numb—for the most part, comfortably—at the scale of this tale.
February 9, 2024
Smoothly written and with a lot of background about the origins of this epic album.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews