From the other side of the wall, a lone voice cries out from the dark, is there anybody home? The words of a lost rock star echo in the chambers of his own self-fulfilling loneliness, as he stares down the final days of a prophecy once foretold. However, much of Roger Waters’ personal experiences are the direct influence of the story that is The Wall. The album not only tells the story of a young soldier lost at war, who leaves behind a single mother to raise a young Roger Waters. The main plot of the album follows a musician’s spiral into rage and madness, as a direct result of the depths of his own isolation. The album also explores themes of society which depict social norms such as human conditioning, and the idea of people being used to unknowingly serve a sinister force. Many critics had mixed reviews of the album upon its release due to the harsh topics and experimental audio production. However, the public opinion would serve the truth, as Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 would quickly become a certified platinum single in multiple countries. The gamble paid off; as the album topped the charts worldwide and would later be adapted for its true format as a feature film in 1982. The film depicts the full album on screen, with visuals released as music videos.
Driven to the brink by their raucous sea of fans, Pink Floyd found themselves raised upon a pedestal which they never asked for. As they brought their Into the Flesh tour to a close, the final straw upon the camel’s back would fall when Roger Waters lashed out at a fan in the crowd, spitting on him in disgrace. The moment would pass in a matter of seconds, but the lasting effect would carry with Waters and the band for years to come, as this symbolized the final brick in the wall. The wall is based on the metaphorical barrier that Roger Waters had created between himself and the mass of people that swarmed to the band’s arena shows. Whereas, early on the band would pen lyrics such as, “Strangers passing in the street / By chance two separate glances meet / And I am you and what I see is me.” The album covers topics that remain true to the morals of the band, while pushing boundaries by navigating the mental breakdown of a rock star, all seemingly based within their own experiences. Intertwining the last destructive moments of his career with flashbacks to his youth, and visions of what great industrial machine society has become. The production value exceeds expectations, from children’s choirs, symphonic instrumentals, and the classic audiophile sound effects that Pink Floyd is known for. The album remains true to the roots of the band, while continuing to support the morals of individualism, freedom of speech, expression and creativity. With multiple hit singles, several iconic guitar solos, and even the sound of a crying baby, this is without a doubt Pink Floyd’s most iconic album and one that would cement them in rock history forever. The poetic tragedy as recited by Waters, is graced by the savant of slide that is David Gilmour, as they co-narrate a story that would eventually lead to the end of Pink Floyd altogether.
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