Pink Floyd
Pulse

One could say that this album is the last true testament of the "live" and vibrant music of Pink Floyd. Or at least I consider it as such because the various compilations released afterward: Echoes, The Best Of, the live of The Wall, Is There Anybody Out There?, I find them purely commercial operations (was there a need?! meh!) and they do not belong to recent history, while Pulse does, even though 10 years have passed since its publication. Obviously, a separate discussion needs to be made about their (brief) yet historical appearance at the recent Live 8 in London.

Live released shortly after the last studio album The Division Bell, which, I am sorry to say, was not much (except for a few highlights), this Pulse has an excellent collectible, emotional, and musical value for fans. The part concerning the manufacturing is well thought out, the booklet is really nice, complete with many photographs from the corresponding tour, and the typical "collectible" live packaging, made of cardboard that "ages" over time through use. In this aspect, however, I must admit, Is There Anybody Out There? is even more captivating.

Regarding the musical contents, what can be said that hasn't been said already? Excellent, although with slightly less flavor compared to the past, but what can you do, at the time of its release Pink Floyd already had a glorious past and nearly 30 years of career behind them, and this is certainly not the proof of their artistic consecration. Pulse is a double CD, and on the first, we find great hits of the group from Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Another Brick in The Wall and even Astronomy Domine, plus other tracks from the already mentioned The Division Bell. The second CD contains all (and I emphasize all) of The Dark Side Of The Moon performed live, plus Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, and Run Like Hell, which in recent years has undoubtedly become the song with which to conclude their concerts. The live versions obviously have a touch of modernity (except for the more recent tracks, which were practically born that way) due in part to the fact that we are in 1995 and that Pink Floyd is certainly not what they were in the '70s and in part to the richness of arrangements and musicians they carry with them, along with the inevitable and massive stage set that has always made their shows unique.

The live is perfect, and the corresponding video cassette entitled in exactly the same way, (recorded on 20/10/94 at Earls Court in London) delivers quite an emotional punch if you are devoted fans of these rock heroes, now 60-year-old gentlemen. Sure, watching vintage videos of the group certainly has another emotional effect, but this remains, as I said before, an excellent (and undisputed) testament to their artistic longevity.