Pink Floyd is a legendary band for a reason. From 1967 to 1977 they recorded five of the greatest albums in rock history and these are those five albums. If you are a fan of rock music (in particular psychedelic rock music) then you must have these five albums in your collection. Until you do, your collection is not complete.

1967 - Piper at the Gates of Dawn

Pink Floyd's debut album was their only album with original lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Syd Barrett at the helm and because of it that it sounds unlike anything else the band ever recorded. If you don't know Barrett's story then I recommend that you look into it as it is truly fascinating.

But you don't have to know his life story to enjoy this incredibly creative music that was extremely influential not only on the future incarnation of Pink Floyd (which would enjoy far greater commercial success) but also many other musical artists. To this day many are inspired by the unique music contained on this psychedelic masterpiece.

From bizarre eccentric "pop music" (I use that phrase in the most loose way imaginable) like "Bike" to the incredible psychedelic freak-out "Interstellar Overdrive" this is an album that truly takes it's listener on a ride. If you are a Pink Floyd fan but haven't heard their origins then you must give this album a listen.

1971 - Meddle

After Barrett was kicked out of the group up until The Dark Side of the Moon album the band seemed to be searching for an identity somewhat. During this period I believe that Meddle was their best album. It's probably most famous for the 20+ minute space rock epic "Echoes" that ends the album (and that is supposedly meant to be synchronized with the last segment of 2001: A Space Odyssey.) "Echoes"actually makes up the entire second half of the album. But the first half of the album is great too. Particularly the awesome opening track "One of These Days" and the beautiful "Fearless."

1973 - The Dark Side of the Moon

Some love to claim that this album is "overrated." They are wrong. Some things are just great and this is one of those things. Just because a lot of people like something doesn't mean there's necessarily something lacking in the artistry (although admittedly that is usually the case.)

This album is about as perfect as an album can get. Every second of it seems to be perfectly placed within the whole. And yet it doesn't have a labored sound to it. It manages to remain fresh and alive despite it's overwhelming perfection.

1975 - Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd was certainly at the top of their game during this period. If you do enjoy the longer instrumentals then this album's opening and closing cuts ("Shine On You Crazy Diamond") will certainly have you enjoying yourself.

But then there's the three songs in between and they are all fantastic as well. "Welcome to the Machine," "Have A Cigar," & "Wish You Were Here" are each among the band's greatest songs.

1977 - Animals

Animals, to me, isn't quite as easy to get into as the other four albums I've listed here but it definitely has it's rewards once you are able to "get it." It's got a dirtier, noisier sound than we hear on the previous three albums listed here (Piper at the Gates can't even really be compared as it's from a different world.)

Where's The Wall?

You may be asking where's The Wall? I'm not a big fan of the album actually. It's got some great songs but overall it sounds very overproduced to me. You know how I said Dark Side of the Moon doesn't sound labored to me? This does. This sounds like there was almost too much thought put into it (that's not exactly what I mean but it's hard to convey in words sometimes why something doesn't get you the way it should.)

The band's '80s output I find pretty disappointing compared to what they were doing in the '70s. I don't really listen to The Final Cut, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, or 1994's The Division Bell. They just do not hold my interest. But the five albums listed here certainly do. I highly recommend them.