The death of the CD will be upon us soon. Just like 8 track. Just like cassette. Just like vinyl. Most people (including myself) now listen to their music in the digital format. It's cheaper, it's easier, and it's much more convenient. I like having immediate access to thousands of songs right at the click of a mouse. If I want to hear five different songs from five different bands, I no longer need to dig out the albums, take them out of their sleeves, and stick them on a turntable. Or (if I have a cassette), fast forward to the song I want to hear. In this regard, digital has the clear advantage. Purists, and grumpy old people, will complain about "the death of music", but these people just need to get with the times.
The music industry realizes that sales of physical CD's are soon going to be non-existent, so now, in a last ditch effort to make some money, they are putting out some pretty cool box-sets from major artists. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and my personal favorite, Pink Floyd have recently put out new remasters of old albums, with tons of rare, unreleased material.
Pink Floyd put out what they call "Immersion" box sets of their best three albums: "Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here," and "The Wall." Each box includes the original, remastered album, and several additional discs with live tracks and demos. They both include DVD's and Blu ray discs of videos and concert footage.
The price is a bit steep. Over $100 for each box. Although now you can get "Dark Side of the Moon" for 50% off at Amazon. Since "The Wall" is my favorite Floyd album, that is the only box set I have purchased so far (I will likely get the other two when the price comes down).
"The Wall" includes 7 discs. 2 discs for the remastered album. 2 discs of the remastered "Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980-81" 2 discs of "demo recordings" and a DVD of videos, concert footage, documentaries and interviews.
You also get a lot of "swag", much of it totally unnecessary. It has two booklets filled with pictures only. No essays or any written material whatsoever. You also get reproductions of concert tickets and backstage passes, a poster, a Gerald Scarfe print, 3 marbles (!), a scarf, and coasters for your drinks. I would have gladly passed on the marbles, scarf, and coasters for a reduction in price for this set. Totally freakin' unnecessary. Take out most of the "swag" and you've got about a $50 box set here.
As for the music....not much more can be said for how great the album is. It's a masterpiece. I can't really tell much different from this new remaster compared to the 1994 remaster, but that's just me. The demos are the real treasure here. There are 64 in total, starting with Roger Waters home demos, David Gilmour home demos, and then full band demos. Many of the songs are radically different. Some of the demos ended up on future albums. Here, you get the Pink Floyd version of "Sexual Revolution", which would end up on the Roger Waters solo album "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking." And "Teacher Teacher" would become "The Hero's Return" on the next Floyd album "The Final Cut." For me, this is the best part of the box set.
The DVD is a major letdown. Apparently, Pink Floyd filmed several performances of "The Wall" in concert at Earl's Court in London in 1981. On the DVD, you get a mere one song from that performance (The Happiest Days of Our Lives). The 50 minute documentary, "Behind the Wall", shows numerous clips from that concert as well. The quality looks pretty good, so why not just include the entire show? What they have here amounts to a tease.
So there you have it. Is it worth $100? No, not at all. I think by Christmas of this year, you will see this one at half-off as well. So unless you are really into marbles and coasters and scarves, just wait a while.
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