Before they went to the relative normalcy of the Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd traveled to Pompeii for one last blast of the old, weird band.  

Expertly remixed and markedly improved by Steven Wilson and released as the soundtrack to the restored “Live at Pompeii” concert-without-audience film, Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII finds Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason and David Gilmour trimming the last of Syd Barrett’s tendrils and turning toward the melody-based approach that would dominate the balance of Floyd’s career. 

Split into two parts, “Echoes,” and to a lesser extent “One of these Days” are bright foreshadows in retrospect. 

The gurgling, mumbling psychedelia of “Careful with that Axe, Eugene,” which appears twice in similar iterations, “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” and “A Saucerful of Secrets” find the Floyds looking over their shoulders as the kaleidoscopic sun sets and the dark moon breaches the horizon. 

An important document in any event, Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII is crucial listening for fans of the post-’72 group looking to expand their sonic pickin’s.