Pink Floyd Album: “Wish You Were Here (Gold Disc)”

Considering the ridiculous expectations Pink Floyd had to reach after Dark Side of the Moon, it's hard to imagine that they could have done better than Wish You Were Here. Although far more personal than any other Floyd work to date, this album bristles with anger, self-loss, confusion, and hope. Finally confident in their own ability as artists, the group sought to tackle the demons of its troubled past. "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" is probably the best song Floyd ever produced, as it attempts to pay tribute to the group's original front man Syd Barrett, who was at one point the most important member of the band. This song also aims to make a public statement about Barrett's tragic decline into madness. The use of the word "piper" in reference to the subject of the song is a clear allusion to Barrett in that it conjures up memories of Floyd's debut album, "Piper at the Gates of Dawn," of which Barrett deserves most of the credit. The music perfectly suits the feeling of the song which, all at once, expresses its gratitude and appreciation for what Barrett did for the group, while also explaining why they couldn't have possibly continued making music with him as their leader. "Welcome to the Machine" can also be applied to Barrett, in that it tells the story of a child prodigy who was seemedly groomed from childhood to become a rock star (this isn't Barrett's exact story, but the common theme of a person not ready for fame and pressure is relevant). While "Machine" is certainly not one of Floyd's better pieces of music, it works well with the rest of the album. "Have a Cigar," on the other hand, is a superb song in which lyricist Roger Waters unleashes some of his most venemous sarcasm seen as of yet. The song is a speech by a fast-talking record executive out to make a quick buck on a hot new musical act. Waters was unable to lend his vocals to this one due to the fact that he had ruptured his voice while singing the demanding "Shine on." Guitarist David Gilmour wouldn't sing it either because he felt the lyrics were too complaining. So, the band brought outsider Roy Harper in to give a voice to Water's angst in an episode that foreshadowed the horrible tension that would exist between Waters and Gilmour during the making of subsequent albums. With "Wish You Were Here," though, the band experienced no such problems. The perfect contrast to "Cigar," "Wish You Were Here" was originally conceived as a poem by Waters. Gilmour then wrote a great piece of music to compliment Water's words, and an instant Pink Floyd classic was born. This song also marks the first time Waters would use the group's music to make a personal inventory of his own character. Though the words are relatable to Barrett, this is more about the absence of one's better nature. What Waters is saying here is that he has become too controlling and too meglomaniacal and wishes to make a quick return to his older, better self. Most Floyd fans (and even non-fans) would agree that the result of the lyricist's soul-searching is one of Floyd's most beautiful ballads. The album is rounded out well by the second version of "Shine on." This album is clearly not as strong as Dark Side of the Moon, but then again, what is? Wish You Were Here is a great album, however, and should be considered among the best 20 or 25 in rock history. The album flows remarkably well and, though most of the songs stand out well all by themselves, their effect when put together is a truly rewarding product, much like the songs on Dark Side.

I've also written a review for

set and am continuing this review in a similar vein.

Wish You Were Here (Immersion) brings together every important piece of the WYWH album. You have the 2011 remastered audio CD. Also included is a live CD (previously unreleased legally). The third disc is a DVD-Audio disc which includes the 5.1 surround mix from 2009, the 1975 Quad Mix, the 2011 stereo remaster in LPCM and two more versions of the multichannel audio in case your system can't support the higher bit rates of the other two versions. The fourth disc is the visual material (with LPCM stereo and 5.1); these are the "concert films" that played behind the band when they performed in 1975. This DVD also includes a 6 minute Storm Thorgessoon film.

The reason for me to purchase the set, however, is all on disc 5. You have all the audio and visual content from the 2 DVDs, however you get the quad and the 5.1 mix, along with the newly remastered (2011) stereo mix, in lossless with 96 Khz sampling rates. I'm not the same quality of fan as those that know every note of every song, so if you think it might be changed in a way you won't like, try to find someone who will let you listen first. It is remastered, not remixed as commenter states below and the remastering is subtle at best (this is a good thing).

For those of you familiar with Pleazurize Music's dynamic range tool (check it out on Google please), here are the numbers for Disc 1 (2011 remaster):

2011 Disc 1 - DR 12

1984 - DR 12

1992 - DR 12

2007 - DR 13 (this was from the Oh By The Way-Box according to the unofficial Dynamic Range Database)

So anyone who is worried about them screwing up the dynamic range on this to go for the artificial loudness of current day releases, FEAR NOT. This is just as good as, at the very least, the original CD release in 1984. The only thing with a better DR is the Oh By The Way Box, and I'm not sure the 1 level of difference would be worth buying the box for, but I leave that up to you).

For those wondering about the Dynamic Range on the LIVE CD (Disc 2), it comes out as DR 10. Since there isn't anything to compare it to unless you have a bootleg, I don't know if the number is meaningful. It certainly sounds good to me.

The physical extras are, as was the case with TDSotM, pretty much worthless. The books are pretty nice, but they could have been consolidated to a single book. The scarf won't keep you warm. The marbles this time out are completely clear, and again, seem pretty meaningless over all. I don't really care about the ticket stubs either. I do like the artwork on the coasters (anyone that pays the $120 for this set and uses the coasters must have lost their marbles, and not the ones in the box, if you know what I mean).

They did, however, fix a HUGE ISSUE from TDSotM box set. While the cardboard box still has hubs for 4 of the 5 discs, instead of shipping them to you on these hubs, they've kindly and smartly placed them in chintzy (but serviceable) cardboard sleeves so that you can place them on the hubs (or not) if you so desire. This will DEFINITELY cut back on the scratched discs issues from the previous TDSotM set. The Blu Ray disc still comes housed in another sleeve however and only 4 of the 5 discs can be used on the hubs on the bottom of the box. Not sure how they'd fix that for The Wall Immersion set coming next year.

So just as with TDSotM, the biggest reason to buy this is for the exceptional lossless audio on the Blu Ray. Since there is no SACD available for the quad or 5.1 mix, if you only have a DVD player it might still be worth picking this up for the unique experience afforded by multichannel audio. Unlike many of the quad mixes from the time, this one actually uses the rear channels to make for a unique experience that adds, not detracts, from the complete experience.

I still wish there was a way to treat the Blu Ray like a CD in that you wouldn't have to turn on the TV to use it, but they didn't license Pure Audio (Blu Ray's answer to CD like functionality). Not a huge deal and this comment did NOT affect my star rating of the set.

I gave this 4 stars because the only thing most people want is the music. The physical extras are OK (if you even care about them), but in reality not something anyone is likely to do much with at all. So ~$120 for the set, when all most people want is the audio, is high. If there were this Immersion set and another of just the discs and a booklet for $60, that $60 set would be where my money would have been spent. Since that set doesn't exist and this is the only way to get the multichannel and the lossless versions of the album, I bought this set.

Still, all told, a pretty high quality release over all.

I've been waiting for "Wish You Were Here" in 5.1 since I first bought an SACD player! This is a thoroughly amazing surround mix. I thought I knew every note of this album; now I'm hearing stuff like double-tracked guitar riffs that I never even knew were there.

If you love Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here, and surround-sound, this is a no-brainer. It's a bit pricey, but it's basically a hardcover book (the width of a CD case and a bit taller), a bunch of extras that were in the original LP release, and the disc itself. Well worth every penny - get it while you can.

**Spoiler alert for people who really know this album - the radio comes out of the right rear speaker....

I won't waste your time critiquing the album,if you're considering dropping this kind of money on it, you already know how brilliant it is. Like the DSOTM Immersion, I bought this for the Quad and 5.1 mixes. In the description I read of this set, there was no mention of the quad mix on the Blu-ray disk. Fear not, it is on there. I find the quad mixes of both Immersions and the recent Aqualung Anniversary addition to be fantastic. I don't mean to diminish the 5.1 mixes they are great as well, it's just a personal preference. You really get a better appreciation for the musical arrangement in multi channel. There is a lot more here musically when you listen in quad or 5.1. Bottom line, if you already love multi channel music or are interested in an introduction to it, this might be the perfect opportunity. Yes, it's pricey and that may turn away a lot of casual fans of Floyd but, if you have a room full of speakers a decent multi channel decoder and some disposable cash, you will enjoy this. You get some extra stuff, book, marbles(why?),coasters (again why?)etc. In the grand scale of things, this costs about the same as two tanks of gas but, you'll have it forever.

Wish You Were Here is a great album. I can also understand some of the comments on how it seems boring, overrated, etc. The truth is when I first got this album, I didn't like it, so I gave it up. I bought it again recently and now since I listen to a lot of progressive rock (Yes, Genesis, ELP, Rush), I've come to enjoy this. Most of the album moves at a relaxed and absorbing pace. Also the majority of it focuses more on instrumentation. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part One) is a very emotional piece. Both parts and the title track are dedicated to the original frontman, Syd Barrett. The ending of this part is somewhat sad and almost painful to listen to. Then it segues into the sheer creepiness of Welcome To The Machine. Very innovative use of the synthesizers on here. Listen to this on headphones and feel the vibrations. Have A Cigar is wickedly funny. It features some pretty daring lyrics. The title track is arguably the easiest listening on here and needs no explanation. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part Two), features some intense 12 minute jamming and once again, most of it is instrumental, featuring only one vocal section.

A true work of art. I now know what Pink Floyd is all about. Not a hard rock band, but a band that takes you on an emotional journey.