Review Summary: This live album is quite likely one of the most spectacular concerts ever recorded by Pink Floyd, and one of the best live albums of all time.
Pink Floyd... who doesn't know these guys? Since their underground psychedelic revolutionary album Piper At The Gates Of Dawn these men have come a long long way to stardom, with earth-shattering records along the roads, mind-numbing solos, technical skill, concept albums, angry bassists, rows, everything. You name it, this band's done it. Their studio albums have been nothing short of classic in most cases and although they were sometimes a little over-the-top progressive, they have written songs thirty years that still stand as classics of the psychedelic, progressive, and rock genre today.
This live DVD that has been remastered features almost all of their best songs in a two-part concert. The album Dark Side Of The Moon, arguably their most famous album (albeit not their best; I feel that Wish You Were Here tops DSOTM regardless) is played live in its entirety, famous classics like "Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2", "One Of These Days", "Comfortably Numb", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" are all included. The one song that I feel is missing is Welcome To The Machine, but with such an all-star cast of songs, you can't have everything you want, now can you?
The special effects begin with the menu. The creative way in which the menus switch is only a sample of the visual intelligence of this band, who are known for their outrageous amount of laser shows, pyrotechnics, and whatnot. The live Pink Floyd are just as good as they are in the studio, reproducing most songs with nearly divine accuracy whilst retaining the feeling of a live concert. How they manage this is beyond me. It is that I was five when they quit playing, because I really want to see these guys in action. The studio album pur sang Dark Side Of The Moon is played nearly flawlessly, with David Gilmour delivering some excellent vocals even at his age.
One Of These Days, off the album Meddle, incorporates the oh-so-famous inflatable pigs into the live concert. Apart from the live attributes, there is a wide array of instrumental attributes on the stage: have you seen Nick Mason's drum kit? Just... wow! If he lifts a single finger he would hit three drums. David Gilmour plays electric guitar, but also acoustic guitar, and something that looks like a guitar fretboard on a table (I dunno what it's called, but it sounds awesome when he uses it.)
Of course the famous ring showing video clips is on the background, giving the live concert an extra dimension for those who can't be bothered to see some old guys playing their stuff once again.
In my opinion the best song on the album is Comfortably Numb, with an extended Gilmour solo that is just enthrallingly divine. No words can come close to describing the genius of this song, and the effort Gilmour puts into his guitar work. If I wanted music in heaven, it would be this.
In short, if you like whatever Pink Floyd has done in the past, get this; you're in for a real treat. If you want to know what these guys sound like; get this. If you don't like Pink Floyd; get this. It will change your mind forever. In short, get this album. It is probably one of the best, if not the best live album ever released.
Sorry if this sounded fanboyish, but seriously, this concert is pure genius, and I really think people should get this album.
