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Patchy but compulsive account of definitive Floyd release...
After Dark Side Of The Moon, The Wall is perhaps the Floyd’s best known release. Chart success, a hit single, enormous stage production and film, it had it all.
The album also dug the band out of a financial hole, and was also perhaps the beginning of the end; the whole album (bar Dave Gilmore’s ‘Comfortably Numb’) was presented to the band by Waters as a near complete concept. The other concept presented at the same time was The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking, which would later surface as a Waters solo album.
This critical review, featuring snippets from producers, rock journos and the like, and takes history of the album going back to the previous album Animals, detailing the financial problems and writing processes.
There are also clips from the film, stage show, the band etc, but all limited in length (usually 30-60 seconds max at any one time) to get round the licensing costs. That said, it is a classic album and this insight and compilation is worthwhile and interesting, if a little haphazard.
The second disc features a compilation of clips from radio interviews, including producer Bob Ezrin.
A little unnecessary are the covers, including by Mostly Autumn. But as they’re signed to Bob Curruthers’ Classic Rock Productions (Bob compiled this set and wrote the enclosed book/liner notes) then it’s another cheap option.
Faults aside, it is interesting, fascinating and intriguing. There are very few bands or albums that deserve such insight. And as a double disc digipak with book, it’s a well presented package too.
***½
Review by Joe Geesin
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