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I will not further contribute to the thousands of words which have already been written about the content of this album. Wiki and elsewhere will tell you all you ever need to know. What I propose to discuss here is the success, or otherwise, of the remastering process. The Wall was in the first batch of CD releases in the 1980s when record companies jumped on the lucrative bandwagon of rehashing old material on the new shiny silver discs, in the hope that we’d all go out and re-purchase the same albums we’d already bought on vinyl. As such it’s not unfair to say that the sound quality of these early rushed jobs was not as good as punters had hoped. There were two reasons for this: firstly most early CDs were made from analog master-tapes which had been tonally mastered to accommodate the limitations of vinyl. Secondly, 1980s analog to digital conversion hardware was relatively primitive. Even accepting the technical limitations of 16 bit 44.1kHz digital audio, 1990s and 21st century technology facilitates a higher fidelity of capture from the analog mastertapes than was possible in the 80s. So what will you notice with this remaster? Partly, that depends on the calibre of your replay equipment. I don’t mean to sound snobbish, but if you plan on listening to this on an MP3 player with earbuds, or worse still, with your laptop speakers, I really don’t think you’re going to hear any benefits at all. For the rest of us (few in number though we may be), what you can expect is quite remarkable: on par with upgrading a single piece of your HiFi equipment. From the moment Nick Mason's thundering drums spring to life in 'In The Flesh?' you’re left in no doubt that this is a quality remastering job. Gilmour’s guitar rips through the mix, but resists sounding searing or tiring. Thrills aplenty in the famous title-track: drums and bass pounding like never before, and again the clarity of the lead guitar and vocals is what makes this remastering stand out. But it’s not all about bang. Suddenly the accoustic guitars on 'Goodbye Blue Sky' sound like they’re in your living room. Even the voice of young Harry Waters at the start of the track seems more lifelike. 'Don’t Leave Me Now' has an ethereal presence which makes the song more sinister than it ever was. I think this is due to the newfound clarity in the mix, layered on a deadly quiet backdrop with no noticeable tape-hiss or noise. Waters’ voice is full of emotion, and for the first time during this song and the preceding 'One Of My Turns', you feel you really are listening to the crazed ravings of a potential psychopath. I could very easily work my way through the album, track by track, and in the process run out of superlatives. But it’s probably just as effective to say that no track is anything less than enlightening. Each song sounds revived and fresh, like a veil has been removed from the speakers which you didn’t even know was there. Mixing aficionados will be happy to learn that there is little undue dynamic compression on this album, beyond that already used during its original mastering (the loudness-war had yet to start). The quiet bits sound quiet and the loud bits are appropriately loud. The big question is should you buy it? That depends what you want to achieve. If you still possess a proper HiFi system and you want to hear this album as good as you are likely to ever hear it short of a HD DVD release, the answer has got to be an emphatic 'yes'Read full review
I used to listen to Pink Floyd incessantly but haven't properly for ages so decided to but this CD. It is as awesome now as it was 30 years ago. I did not want a digitally re-mastered version but wanted the 'original' so it sounded exactly the same. The product arrived in good time and is top quality.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A must have classic album, a brilliantly produced bit of rock story telling by Pink Floyd I am more of a fan of all their earlier albums up to this, maybe even the final cut. But this album is a great double Lp if you like Floyd or/and Roger waters , I love all His Lps too then this is a must have. I’ve had the wall on vinyl video and cd but have lost them all over time and was glad to get this back In my collection. Sit back and Enjoy the story, music and production. Brilliant 🤩
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control. Hey teacher, leave the kids alone.... They don't write em like that any more. This CD is a rare treat for old gifs like me - growing old disgracefully is de rigeur...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great cd had it in 1979 on record got the cd because i threw all my records out years ago great cd some really good tracks on it more waters than gilmour on this 1 which is a shame because i think gilmour is well better than waters but still a great cd to add 2 ur floyd collection :)
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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