If you look through rock music history, there are loads of albums that are called ‘masterpieces’ or ‘necessary listening’ or ‘classics’ … but FAR fewer that actually deserve the accolades. One of those is certainly ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ by Pink Floyd. The 1973 recording is interesting musically, has plenty of thematic material that develops throughout the recording and has some fun and catchy songs.
Pink Floyd has been notoriously stubborn in their desire to limit digital downloads of individual songs, wanting listeners to hear the music in its full and original album format. As a result their material has appeared and disappeared from sites such as iTunes and Rdio.
But now it is back, and part of the re-release is a massive remastering effort that has resulted in the release of all 14 of their main recordings in ‘remastered’, ‘Experience’ and ‘Immersion’ forms. Basically the standard remaster is the original album, just better sounding than ever before. The Experience version adds some amount of live content, usually a full live playing of the album and perhaps additional audio and video. The Immersion version contains more concert material as well as DVDs with extensive coverage.
The first record to get this treatment is the classic ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. Here is the description from the ‘Experience’ version:
Originally released in 1973, The Dark Side of The Moon became Pink Floyd’s first number 1 album in the US, remaining on the chart for 741 weeks between 1973 and 1988. One of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed albums of all time The Dark Side of The Moon also introduced The iconic album cover artwork by Hipgnosis featuring a prism representing the band’s stage lighting, the record’s lyrics, and the request for a ‘simple and bold’ design. The new experience version presents the original studio album, digitally remastered by James Guthrie with bonus CD featuring a previously unreleased recording of The Dark Side Of The Moon performed live at Wembley in 1974. Also featuring a newly designed Digipak and a new 16 page booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson, including all lyrics.
CD1: The Dark Side Of The Moon digitally remastered by James Guthrie
CD2: The Dark Side Of The Moon performed live at Wembley 1974 (previously unreleased, CD2 is the same as disc 2 of the Immersion edition).
The Immersion version is a massive boxed set – grab it at Amazon.com
The Experience edition comes either as a 2-CD or digital download version:
Grab the Experience Edition CD version from Amazon.com
Grab the Experience Edition MP3 version from Amazon.com
Grab the Experience Edition ‘Deluxe’ iTunes version from the iTunes Music Store
The Remastered edition comes either as a CD or digital download version:
Grab the Remastered Edition CD version from Amazon.com
Grab the Remastered Edition MP3 version from Amazon.com
Grab the Remastered version from the iTunes Music Store
Dark Side of the Moon is definitely one of the true classics of the pop/rock genre and something every music fan should experience. With options ranging from $7.99 up to $108, there is something for just about everyone! No excuses – check out one of the best recordings in rock music, sounding better than ever. And get ready … because over the next several months ALL of the Pink Floyd records will get the same treatment!
