It's time to set the controls for the heart of the imagination. Thirty years after The Dark Side Of The Moon, Pink Floyd's finest hour, was unleashed on an unsuspecting world, EMI has re-released it in full mind-engulfing 5.1 surround sound.

Thanks to Roger Waters' timeless lyrics and David Gilmour's majestic, aching guitar, this dazzling masterpiece remains as fresh and as important today as it was in 1973. Although the shadow of the legendary Floyd founder Syd Barrett - everyone favourite's psychedelic casualty - looms large in Waters' words (notably the chilling Brain Damage), the album is free of Syd's surreal evocation of a Merrie England that existed only in his head. Driven by Gilmour's peerless guitar and Richard Wright's swirling organ, and underpinned by Nick Mason's disciplined drumming, The Dark Side Of The Moon was the moment when the post-Barrett Floyd found their true voice. It is a pity they've mislaid it since, but tracks such as Time, Breathe, The Great Gig In The Sky (with Clare Torry's seductive vocals) and the wonderful Us And Them are a most welcome and emotional reminder of a band at the height of their very considerable powers.

Updated: 09:29 Thursday, May 01, 2003