Classic Albums: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

One thing I've come to understand about the members of Pink Floyd is that they can go off on some seriously screwed up, self-important stream of consciousness rants and raves when left unchecked, but under the eye of an efficient editor they come across as unbridled geniuses. Live in Pompeii is a startling example of the former, with the drugged-out bandmates going on and on about themselves like a real-life version of Spinal Tap, while this brief almost-hour-long documentary is evidence of the latter. Interspersing the best nuggets of the band's commentary with insightful sound bytes from critics, peers and the men behind the soundboard during taping makes for a winning combination that had me falling in love with this classic album all over again. Roger Waters is especially moving in his careful explanation of the themes and lyrics behind "Time," and there's something hypnotic about watching David Gilmour lovingly recreate the guitar solo from same song without any backing musicians. A magical, magnificent look at one of my favorite albums; my only complaint is that it wasn't any longer.