Echoes (track)
by Pink Floyd

It might sound a bit silly for me to say a track from 1971 may have helped inspired the post rock genre, but I've never heard anyone else make that comparison before so I'll be the first to say it (*especially* the last half of the track, from about the 15:00 mark onwards). Hopefully by now we all know what a fantastic track this is and how absolutely essential it is to Pink Floyd's catalogue, but if you don't, be sure to clear the next 25 minutes in your schedule and prepare for one of the most epic songs of the 1970s. Personally, I enjoy the live versions more because the guitar solos are a bit more energetic, though the last half can sometimes get sloppy in live recordings. For my favorite two live versions, I'd point anyone to David Gilmour's version live at Gdańsk, and of course the Pink Floyd live at Pompeii version. But no matter which version you listen to, it will be a spectacular listen.

It's interesting to note that this track came out only three days before Led Zeppelin released "Stairway to Heaven," and both songs are these epic crescendos that build from nothing into very melodic and huge guitar solos. Anyone who was a music fan in 1971 was absolutely spoiled for great music, and it was probably one of the greatest years in music to date. There's a version on their Early Years box set that replaces the guitar solo with a saxophone solo for those who are curious to hear a different take on it, but I will always stick with the guitar solos instead as I think they're some of David Gilmour's greatest work.

P.S. In the off-chance that there are some older Floyd fans reading this comment and wish to hear a few other newer tracks that capture a similar vibe to the crescendo section of the last half of Echoes, I will recommend three further songs to check out as an introduction to post rock:

1) "Mladic" by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
2) "Six Days at the Bottom of the Ocean" by Explosions in the Sky, and
3) "Varúð" by Sigur Rós

Across The Universe pinkfloyded

my favorite song of all time

Another example of songs lining up with movies is with, 2001 a space odyssey. Just a epic space journey of a song. Probably there best ending song to a album, a true masterpiece my Wright and Gilmour. It’s just a shame this was one of the final few songs that Wright would provide vocals for.

One of the best songs ever, especially for not being that well-known today. Shame that it's a 93 rating rather than a 94 now.

From Jboy56 11/08/2021 21:04

Echoes gives an lifelong experienece. I love the organ vs guitar talkback

This is one of those songs that no other band could pull off. This might be the most impressive song in all of Pink Floyd's catalogue. The synth solo in the middle always makes me feel like I'm about to have a bad trip on acid but then it leads into one of the most epic guitar riffs in all of Rock and suddenly I feel like I'm transcending human consciousness. When people talk about space rock, it's this and Space Oddity by David Bowie that always come to mind.

It's not my favourite Pink Floys track but I have to say this: Sometimes I listen to bands influenced by Pink Floyd and they have some great moments. Some capture The Wall sound, others Animals, others DSOM... but none will ever make a piece like this.

Nothing speaks to me the way this song does. When the music starts building up again after the screeching middle part I always get overwhelmed by emotion and teary-eyed. If it isn't the best song of all time, it's pretty darn close.

Incredible song--prefer the Live in Pompeii and David Gilmour in Gdansk versions better, as they better amplify the guitar solos. Never gets old and indeed is some of the best the Floyd ever came up with.... Too bad we will not hear it again from surviving members--David G. said he will not play it after Rick's death.