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It drags along for too long and should be 20 minutes shorter. Had he worked with Bob Ezrin as producer this album would have become much more digestible and compact and would have appealed to a broader audience.
Aint it just the worst snare ever! I dont like the album, so i wont listen to it again. But if i did, I think I would need to hang myself before I got to Eclipse!
My most listened to album of Roger Waters is Radio Kaos. I should hate it. I hate that 80s production sound. But I just love it. The writing is just incredible. I'd love to hear a reworking too.
I always think the same with KAOS, I shouldn't like it, the story doesn't feel fully developed, and that 80s production is usually like nails on a chalkboard...but I love it.
Beck’s playing on ATD is sublime. An inspired choice of guitarist by Waters. I just heard DSOTM redux from start to finish in my car. Superb creative augmentation to the original album. Many will dislike it but they are usually fans that go to live concerts and demand that the sound and music be an exact replica of the original recording. I remember seeing Plant and Page live in Australia in the 1990s. A musical masterpiece experience with a middle eastern north African accompaniment. Yet after the concert I could hear fans mumbling “no stairway to heaven”. I never noticed because I was so enthralled with the performances on stage. I am glad musicians push stuff on stage and on record that is important to them. If you want to listen to the original recordings that is easy to do right?
I just can’t shake off the temptation to consider THE FINAL CUT an R.W. solo album; it is a work that would earn the number one spot in a ranking like this one if I were so inclined.
I think Amused to Death is the album where Roger's familiar themes all speak together in the most eloquent way, and the one that still speaks to the world we are living in now. Hard to believe it was released more than thirty years ago, even before the internet had properly taken hold. Were The Final Cut to be considered a Waters solo album, it would run it very close. As anti-war statements, I think bothe are probably stronger than The Wall. And just to note, the Redux album gets a plus vote from me.
Anyone who can integrate the word “ballyhoo” into a highly-articulate review is all right with me. 😁 Amused to Death is easily the best of the bunch. It had the most memorable tunes. Is This the Life…is my second favorite.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Radio Kaos and 'Home' I think is one of Waters’ finest. Agree that some kind of reworking of it would be great. A lot of artists I admire suffered with that 80’s production in trying to sound relevant. There was such a huge amount of technology introduced then, a lot of it didn’t age well. Andy Fairweather-Low’s mostly rhythm guitar input is absolutely superb, and I’ve always been a fan of Graham Broad’s drumming. While I favour Pros and Cons and Amused to Death, Radio Kaos, even with the DX7 and gymnastic lead guitar sheen, does have it’s charm.
I love Roger's music and I would have Radio Kaos much higher. The album doesn't feel 'un-Waters' to me at all. I love the non-musical sounds Roger always puts on his albums, whether it's a jet fighter, a Ferrari or Morse code. That element is definitely a Watersism! I love the concept in general and I listen to this album regularly. As for your order of the albums I would go along with it, with the above exception which I'd put much higher. Amused to Death is a masterpiece as is Pros and Cons in my opinion. I guess I'm just a huge Roger Waters fan and as such it's nice to see his solo work get some attention on your channel!
I agree. Radio KAOS is my favorite and while the production is very 80s, Waters' songwriting style and lyrics still shine through. Songs like Home, Who Needs Information, Me Or Him, The Powers That Be and The Tide Is Turning are all great.
Another great review. I loved his solo albums from Radio KAOS onwards but the one that truly stands out for me is amused to death. A masterpiece worthy of praise equal to the best best Waters led PF stuff. I also think Pat Leonard's keyboards and production was haunting and masterful. Oddly enough my favourite song 3 wishes has a keyboard arrangement and mood uncannily similar to Leonard's work on Madonna' Live to tell track, whom Leonard also produced. Not that I'm a huge fan of Madonna but I do really like this track. It was a theme to some movie Sean Penn starred in I believe.
The question about Radio Kaos, is that it tells a story of the 80's. The production values become part of the story telling, part of the background story. It was not the original idea, but that's what it became. But.... the thing with Waters and first rate guitar soloists is that they're not all that convincing . There's always the comparison lurking from the corner. Only in «Is This The Life...» he get's a relaxed, organic and unegotistic sound. I vote for a Radio Kaos box set with all the songs not in the original album., and why not, a bit of production reworking..... but not too much, or it looses it's 80s background.
As a Welsh lad who lives just a handful of miles from some of the places name dropped in Radio KAOS, I have a bit of an affinity for it (as do a lot of my Pink Floyd loving compatriots), I agree it could do with a "momentary lapse style" remix. I noted a few months ago Bob Ezrin made public some 'spicy political takes' Roger shared with him back in the day, first thing I thought was, This is revenge for Amused to Deaths "Each man has his price Bob, and yours was pretty low", funny how these things stay in the mind. Thanks for spending some time on these amazing albums.
Wonderful video. My ranking would probably be very much the same, but I miss the Waters' contribution with the Bleeding Hearts Band on the When the Wind blows soundtrack to Raymond Briggs terrific animated film about the nuclear war. Even though Waters only contributed to a single lp side on the album, I'd still love to see where you would put it on the list.
Personally I enjoy Radio Kaos a lot, Pros and Cons even more. I bought Kaos on vinyl when I was 15 - still have it. I was delighted that he did a couple of Kaos tracks when I saw him at the NEC in the early noughties. But the main event for me is Amused To Death - it’s vast, immersive, sounds amazing, and always moves me. I enjoyed Is This The Life…….there’s a lot of references musically to Animals, but if I could only keep one RW album it would be Amused To Death.
Amused to Death was mixed in “Q Sound” to give a spatial sound. I have it on CD, which the notes make a big thing of Q Sound, and it’s a mammoth listen, very immersive.
Definitely Amused To Death at the top - by far really, for me. I never quite realized the Michael Kamen link between The Wall, Final Cut, and this - but it makes sense, I've always sort of unconsciously grouped them together. Just a masterpiece. Have to also agree with you on Is This The Life - gripping disc. Pros and Cons never took for me, but I'll have to give it another listen with you and others rating it so highly. Radio K.A.O.S is a hard one - I really dug it in the day, but it is so 80's. Who Needs Information and Sunset Strip are great, but if you're mentioning tracks, what about The Tide Is Turning? I always loved that one - such a rare ray of hope and innocence for Roger.
I saw two of the Wembley Arena shows, brilliant concept and fantastic musicians. That Paul Carrack began the show with a solo performance of Squeeze’s superb "Tempted" made it a bit special too.
I have all of these records. My list is probably the same as yours. I prefer the remaster of ATD with the added solo on Being Out of Range and the "Stop Dave" dialogue from Space Odyssey, which Roger wanted to have on the original album but apparently couldn't. These were introduced on the In The Flesh live recordings and later adapted to the studio album. I completely agree that if anything should have a redux, it'd be KAOS. The Powers That Be is already done, from the current tour...just play the record live, regrooved and release the recording. Traditionally, live albums are cheaper to make than studio albums and so to have a live KAOS album, all rocked out, would be perfect for me. Although, as you say, stripped down might work. Or strip it down and fill in the naughty parts with new guitars or soundscapes. Either way, I've been begging for a rethought out KAOS album for years. Many people (and I agree) that an ATD show in its entirety would be most welcome. That said, if it were up to me, I'd sacrifice that for a KAOS repair job, 100%. ...ATD is my favourite rock album of all time but to have a timeless KAOS album on file, would be MOST welcome.
Honourable mention goes to his work with The Bleeding Heart Band on "When The Wind Blows". In a remixed "Radio Kaos" album, several of these cuts could be included, as they were recorded contemporaneously and are similar stylistically.
From a Roger waters fan since 1973: amused to death is far better than any other. Pros and cons and is this... are very good. Dark side redux... i woudn't have done it if i was him.
Molly’s song, Get back to Radio and Going to Live in LA are all tracks that got shunted off KAOS and are great tracks. Mollys song and Get back to radio are widely available as single b-sides to singles from the album. Molly’s song was performed live in the concerts that supported the album. Great stuff.
I didn’t include ‘When the wind blows’ because it is a soundtrack album that features other artists, therefore more of a compilation. Exactly the same reason I wouldn’t include ‘The Zabriskie Point’ soundtrack in a Pink Floyd ranking.
Right, and a lot of the tracks from "When the Wind Blows" were meant to be used as part of Radio KAOS' second of the double album that never came to be. @@frankshailes3205
Hi, I've become increasingly respectful towards your knowledge of music. This trip down Rogery Lane has proved my point. I have a deep seated envy of Waters, in that he writes with ease of the human condition. The waste that is war, the greed that is capitalism and the erosion of our freedoms. Very good vlog 😎☯️🌱
Fuck, Amused to Death is such an interesting album, I don't think it sounds as good as Is This the Life or even Pros and Cons but it might very well be the most sharply-written work Waters has ever done, both in terms of his solo work and maybe all-around in his entire career. It really merits more recognition than what it gets, really cool record all-around.
"Amused To Death" is my favorite Roger Waters Lp. Is real good! I also love Roger's collaboration with Eddie Van Halen on the song, "Lost Boys Calling". Gorgeous song!!❤❤
thankyou for this. having seen the dsotm redux a few weeks back, your review is well appreciated. Roger narrated the evening with charm and gusto. Cohen , Dylan and Waters are three artists that understand enough to know they are at a new artistic pass age 80. Amused to Death (listened to death) is by far his most interesting solo recording.
Interesting that there's no honorable mention of Roger's work in the film When the Wind Blows, as that also seems the perfect vehicle for his world view at the time.
I didn’t include ‘When the wind blows’ because it is a soundtrack album that features other artists, therefore more of a compilation. Exactly the same reason I wouldn’t include ‘The Zabriskie Point’ soundtrack in a Pink Floyd ranking.
"Is This The Life" edges it for me, I think, because it's far more accessible than some of Waters' more high-concept solo stuff, which can be accused of being concept over "choons." "Is This The Life" does both, and sounds more like a classic Floyd album than anything Floyd 2.0 pooped out post-Waters. I'm still wrapping my head around "Amused to Death" having obtained the Blu-ray audio version.
Amused to death is amazingly accurate in its study of how we are all desensitised by technology and information. Written just before the start of the internet . Very prophetic piece of work.
I played the Waters Redux album last night. Not expecting much really with all the negative reviews. I was pleasantly surprised and found it an enjoyable listen, very well produced and left me intrigued enough to spin it again in the future. Is it Waters best solo album - hmmmmm at the minute no, that still goes to Pros and Cons.
Amused to Death is his best solo work by a wide, wide margin. I've enjoyed ll of his albums since Pros and Cons at the time of release and thru the relative tours, but as the excitement of a new Waters release wore off in the moment, all of his albums apart from ATD went back on the shelf, rarely to be revisited again. The irony is that he didn't tour Amused to Death and it would have been the album that translated best live. To have seen What God Wants pt 3 live with Jeff Beck.
Amused to death is the best, well chosen, the redux I like vertical soundscape with its depth of space . A far cry from the multitude of mixed sounds in the original widescape
The first time Pink Floyd played the chords to "Breathe" was on 20 November 1971, last show of the Meddle tour. In this show, Rick Wright's equipment suffers some kind of malfunction during the opening number, "The Embryo," right after the vocals and the descending bass line. Unlike other times when this happened, the others in the band kept playing while Wright and the roadies worked on the equipment. This left the others improvising to fill the time. At one point, David Gilmour goes into the two chord sequence to "Breathe," which he plays for a minute or so, with Roger Waters (who kept dropping out, presumably to help fix the keyboards, as he was closer to Wright onstage than Gilmour was) joining in.
No, I think you are just a bit off here. ATD has too many musical rehashes of Floyd's hit albums woven in self-consciously to make it his best. Then to not mention "The Tide is Turning" on KAOS is seriously neglectful, as it is one of the most beautiful tracks he has ever done, especially as a solo artist. And Pros and Cons ranks at or near the top with Clapton's finest playing of the 80's, and stunning arrangements not found on the following solo Waters albums - as it was Kamen again who you do agree was a perfect arranger/producer for Waters intensity. Ps & Cs, and KAOS never feel or sound like rehash the way ATM does imo.
Fantastic review,couldnt argue with any of that,Amused to Death is a masterpiece up there with the Floyd classics in my opinion,love pros and cons,a wonderful insight into the mid life crisis and the struggle within,and Radio Kaos i think is underrated and as you say gets lost in the 80s production but some great music on there,Iand would be a classic if remastered,Is this the life sums up the world we currently live in perfectly,and the Redux i think is a very moving look back at a young mans ideas through an old man's eyes,nearly impossible to detach yourself from the original so its always going to be a difficult journey to discover the greatness in that one,what a back catalogue of amazing work though
Excellent rundown and I have to say i agree with your running order. Of all his solo works I find, as most of us will be on here, as an avid Floyd fan the Is The Life... album the most curious. Even still over his recent Redux opus. To me it sounds (and I am certian this was Rog's intention) like a PF work-in-progress album say circa 1978 and everything is now recorded pretty much. The drums, the bass, the keyboards, the rhythm guitars, the acoustic guitars and Rog's vocals. So its all sat there on tape (its '78 remember haha) and all they're waiting for now is Dave to turn up his Hiwatts and make his Strat scream....
Agree woth the list, woth the caveat that Is this the life is a very close second. It has some clunkers (picture that, smell the roses), but where it soars, i cant get enough. And thw last three.songs are the closest thing to love songs we ever got.from him (i kind of hate pigs on the wing pt 1 and 2), nutnit was worth the 50 year wait. O swear theae songs have improved my marriage. Deja vu is one the most poignant encapsulation of the modern world ive ever heard. Love your videos!
Great insights not sure that I like all of the screaming on The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking so I would place it fourth and DSOM redux second or third...BTW I do like the screaming on The Final Cut
Waters rarely makes his words rhythm - too contrived and predictable. YET in “Smell the roses” only Waters can find words to rhythm with “phosphorus” “Wake up and smell the phosphorus This is the room we keep a human heir Don't ask, don't tell, it couldn't be lost for us”
The powers that be from radio kaos needs a mention, and the less said about the dark side the moon redux the better, apart from that your rating of amused to death is spot on ,someone gave me a poor tape recording of this album telling me to listen to it …rogers songwriting on this album rivals any work he has done before and after . I like the commentary on perfect sense reporting on a war like you are at a baseball match or a ballgame . Great ranking barry. Sorry I can’t bring myself to rate dark side 😢
My favorite albums 1- Amused To Death. 2- Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. 3- Radio KAOS. I remember when the Radio K.A.O.S Album came out in1987, I didn't expect the type of music from Roger and in the beginen not like it, but more I listen to the Album became more interesting and more like it
In the period '68-'72 Pink Floyd did not quite know what to do musically. They made albums with a a view to touring the result until the material worked well live. I tend to see Water's 80's albums in a similar way, as something he composed so that he had something new to go on tour with. Which album from 'Pros and Cons' and 'Radio K.A.O.S.' onward has proved to be the most cohesive live experience? Which album provided the best live versions that undid awkward period production fixations?
100% agree with your number one, though I would rank Pros and Cons higher. I was blown away when I first heard Amused to Death, because it was with a high end sound system and was mastered in "Q Sound."
Some would argue The Final Cut is a Roger Waters album - with the members of PF guesting. He'd effectively steered the Floyd's direction from Animals through The Wall and Final Cut is Roger's baby.
@@peterchios9637 Absolutely agree. That's why many consider these 'Pink Floyd' albums rather humdrum. Without Roger's fiery input PF were rather tame, IMO.
I love Radio KAOS. Sure, it has the 80's production but it shows that Roger was capable of doing something different. He did a modern pop rock opera with such a great message in the age of MTV. It has a ton of great songs. The tour was so much fun to hear Paul Carrick sing with Roger and Andy playing funky versions of Floyd songs. Was it as good as Floyd or Pros and Cons, no, but it sure is a fun album and meaningful album.
I love Radio KAOS and would probably put that at #1. I know the production is dated, but I dug the album back then and saw that tour (2Xs). I realize that Amused to Death is probably better from artistic standpoint, and I love that record too, but it didn't connect with me in the same way that Radio KAOS did. So for me: Music From The Body Pros and Cons Is This The Life We Really Want Amused To Death Radio KAOS I put Is This The Life kind of on par with Pros and Cons. It's got some good tracks, but overall I hear him trying to connect with tones and subject matters he has in the past... lots of bands are doing this now. They are trying to create nostalgia within the music itself so that old fans will connect with the newer music. It put me off a little bit, but I still enjoy it to some degree.
I just realized that “Stop … Dave” is referring to Gilmore. I recall hearing that the original concept of ATD was about Pink Floyd. I feel Radio KAOS is brilliant, but it’s really hard to listen to the affected 80s production, mostly the keyboards. Underneath that production is a great album.
I'm a bit of an 80's fan boy, so actually still love Radio KAOS. I can understand why many don't though. Amused to Death is his masterpiece for sure though. Am I the only person that prefers the original over the remixed version?
Likewise about Radio KAOS. For one, Sunset Strip is probably his most joyful sounding song (Which is really saying something). Would love a redux/remastered/stripped back Radio KAOS with all the songs that were originally left off. I thought his concert for KAOS was far superior to the Floyd one at the time (I saw both a weekend apart at the same venue in Oakland, CA).
I keep coming back to Amused to Death , Becks playing is sublime , thoughtful and visceral . I like Radio KAOS too , but not keen on the new Dark Side mumble fest , although the production is amazing , Roger is Roger and long may he do what he does 😊👍
I don’t hate the redux like a lot of people do, but I agree it’s not his best work. It would be interesting if he reworked the Final Cut in this style instead
I know this video is almost a year old at this point, but I was wondering what your opinion is of Roger's (and the Bleeding Hear band's) work on the soundtrack for the movie, When the Wind Blows. I understand why it wouldn't be on this list, as Roger shares half the album with other artists, but it is an interesting bit by him that I rarely hear mentioned. Thanks and thanks for all the great content.
I've always had a soft spot for KAOS given the connection to the defunct KMET in LA. The narrator (Jim Ladd) and various other characters on that album we all part of my younger years listening to the Mighty Met. Yes, there are some production gimmicks and some outlandish themes, but it's a great listen anyway!
Now, once we saw you wearing a tshirt with Miles Davis name, please, do a ranking of his albuns. But please, include robbed musical pieces like Little Church and the many others. Check out about a real genius Hermeto Pascoal. Do that for the music!
@@classicalbum I like Miles as well, but first of all, I love music. Let's not to close our eyes. Just as we should not close our eyes to the Palestinian cause that has been suffering from theft, attacks and discrimination since 1948. Hama is not Palestine. Roger himself is an active voice in search of justice! Thank you!
Well i must say i like your ranking but on one point i differ. I would put the darkside of the moon redux on one. I think its brilliantly done. I don't understand the need of people to compare it with the 1973 version. They stand on their own with a 50 year different perspective. Bob dylan never plays a song in the same time twice. He is master in reconstruction of his own songs. No one complains about that. But with Waters it immediately leads to a controversy. Why? Time to listen to the lyrics i would say and the massage he is telling for so many years. I think its brilliantly done because in this time of life we live, the message about life and about empathy is more important the ever. And in this new version the emphasize on the lyrics is in my opinion strong and without escape. So Redux on one.
A well researched precis of considerations around Roger's oeuvre. I'm putting Dark Side ne place higher - it may yet climb further, I'm still not a fan of the production of Is this the life.......but nevertheless, a thoughtful and considered take on a really interesting and varied solo career, and I thank you for it. I saw Ca Iea on its' debut in Poland, and own one of six only quad sized posters produced for it that weren't stuck up around the city of Poznan. Sent Matt from Brain Damage one of the other ones.........
Another thing that has rarely been talked about...this shows release coincided with the writers and actors strikes...which means that there was. I promotional effort allowed from any of the actors, whether thru media, social media, anything. I feel that ramped down a good bit of the hype that would've been possible. Other issues for sure, the Disney effect, etc. But I never see this as an issue and I think it's a big one.
~~ Radio K.A.O.S. from 1987 was over-produced - and the opening track; "Radio Waves" was a rather ham-fisted & plastic-sounding attempt at a radio-friendly track - but there are still some very good songs on the record. So many records made in the mid-80's were plagued with too much Fairlight synth noise all over the place. Without all that - this record would likely be much better remembered today than it is ..
I’d also argue that you could have included the When the wind blows soundtrack. There’s certainly a lot more Roger on that album than on Music from the body and there are some cracking tunes on it. It’s the whole of the B-Side and about 20-25 minutes worth of Roger venturing down his, as a critic described it, “Armageddon Alley”. Definitely worth checking out if you haven’t.
I didn’t include ‘When the wind blows’ because it is a soundtrack album that features other artists, therefore more of a compilation. Exactly the same reason I wouldn’t include ‘The Zabriskie Point’ soundtrack in a Pink Floyd ranking. I have it on good authority that Roger is responsible for the loud trouser-browner at the start of 'Music From the Body' .... which means it has to make this list
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Glad to see Pro's & Cons is relatively high. It's a good album. So many dismiss it.
Amused To Death is a masterpiece and easily the best of the post Floyd albums.
Totally agree!!!! If you could have one fav album of all time..... A to D would be my choice 👍
In total agreement with you on this.
correct
defo agree with this as its water's best solo album
It drags along for too long and should be 20 minutes shorter. Had he worked with Bob Ezrin as producer this album would have become much more digestible and compact and would have appealed to a broader audience.
I wish Waters would or reworked Radio KAOS instead of Dark Side Of The Snare Drum.
LOL, yeah, agree 100%
Do a strip back of the production like they did with a momentary lapse of reason. I still like the album though
The Momentary Lapse remix was far better than I expected. Totally agree
The snare drum in redux sucks
Aint it just the worst snare ever!
I dont like the album, so i wont listen to it again.
But if i did, I think I would need to hang myself before I got to Eclipse!
My most listened to album of Roger Waters is Radio Kaos. I should hate it. I hate that 80s production sound. But I just love it. The writing is just incredible. I'd love to hear a reworking too.
I always think the same with KAOS, I shouldn't like it, the story doesn't feel fully developed, and that 80s production is usually like nails on a chalkboard...but I love it.
I love it too
Me too, great album.
Same here man. It is just so catchy and I give Roger a lot of credit for doing something different.
Love Jim Ladd's dialogue on that album too!
Beck’s playing on ATD is sublime. An inspired choice of guitarist by Waters.
I just heard DSOTM redux from start to finish in my car. Superb creative augmentation to the original album.
Many will dislike it but they are usually fans that go to live concerts and demand that the sound and music be an exact replica of the original recording.
I remember seeing Plant and Page live in Australia in the 1990s. A musical masterpiece experience with a middle eastern north African accompaniment.
Yet after the concert I could hear fans mumbling “no stairway to heaven”.
I never noticed because I was so enthralled with the performances on stage.
I am glad musicians push stuff on stage and on record that is important to them.
If you want to listen to the original recordings that is easy to do right?
I just can’t shake off the temptation to consider THE FINAL CUT an R.W. solo album; it is a work that would earn the number one spot in a ranking like this one if I were so inclined.
It is his best solo album
i agree@@pauleaster5832
It’s far less a solo album than A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
@@pauleaster5832I agree.
Pros and Cons is such an underrated album ! A real Rock Opera ! His voice is fantastic and the guitar and sax solos are just fantastic !
That album is proof that Roger Waters + Eric Clapton = a match made in heaven.
Amused to Death is an absolute masterpiece
Amused To Death is one of the greatest albums I've ever listened to, and still gets frequent play in my house.
Good ranking, articulated well.
Agreed
I think Amused to Death is the album where Roger's familiar themes all speak together in the most eloquent way, and the one that still speaks to the world we are living in now. Hard to believe it was released more than thirty years ago, even before the internet had properly taken hold. Were The Final Cut to be considered a Waters solo album, it would run it very close. As anti-war statements, I think bothe are probably stronger than The Wall. And just to note, the Redux album gets a plus vote from me.
Anyone who can integrate the word “ballyhoo” into a highly-articulate review is all right with me. 😁
Amused to Death is easily the best of the bunch. It had the most memorable tunes. Is This the Life…is my second favorite.
I do my best
Amused to Death is up there with the Pink Floyd classics! Top drawer
I’ve always had a soft spot for Radio Kaos and 'Home' I think is one of Waters’ finest. Agree that some kind of reworking of it would be great. A lot of artists I admire suffered with that 80’s production in trying to sound relevant. There was such a huge amount of technology introduced then, a lot of it didn’t age well. Andy Fairweather-Low’s mostly rhythm guitar input is absolutely superb, and I’ve always been a fan of Graham Broad’s drumming. While I favour Pros and Cons and Amused to Death, Radio Kaos, even with the DX7 and gymnastic lead guitar sheen, does have it’s charm.
I love Roger's music and I would have Radio Kaos much higher. The album doesn't feel 'un-Waters' to me at all. I love the non-musical sounds Roger always puts on his albums, whether it's a jet fighter, a Ferrari or Morse code. That element is definitely a Watersism! I love the concept in general and I listen to this album regularly.
As for your order of the albums I would go along with it, with the above exception which I'd put much higher. Amused to Death is a masterpiece as is Pros and Cons in my opinion. I guess I'm just a huge Roger Waters fan and as such it's nice to see his solo work get some attention on your channel!
I agree. Radio KAOS is my favorite and while the production is very 80s, Waters' songwriting style and lyrics still shine through. Songs like Home, Who Needs Information, Me Or Him, The Powers That Be and The Tide Is Turning are all great.
Another great review. I loved his solo albums from Radio KAOS onwards but the one that truly stands out for me is amused to death. A masterpiece worthy of praise equal to the best best Waters led PF stuff. I also think Pat Leonard's keyboards and production was haunting and masterful. Oddly enough my favourite song 3 wishes has a keyboard arrangement and mood uncannily similar to Leonard's work on Madonna' Live to tell track, whom Leonard also produced. Not that I'm a huge fan of Madonna but I do really like this track. It was a theme to some movie Sean Penn starred in I believe.
The question about Radio Kaos, is that it tells a story of the 80's. The production values become part of the story telling, part of the background story. It was not the original idea, but that's what it became. But.... the thing with Waters and first rate guitar soloists is that they're not all that convincing . There's always the comparison lurking from the corner. Only in «Is This The Life...» he get's a relaxed, organic and unegotistic sound. I vote for a Radio Kaos box set with all the songs not in the original album., and why not, a bit of production reworking..... but not too much, or it looses it's 80s background.
As a Welsh lad who lives just a handful of miles from some of the places name dropped in Radio KAOS, I have a bit of an affinity for it (as do a lot of my Pink Floyd loving compatriots), I agree it could do with a "momentary lapse style" remix. I noted a few months ago Bob Ezrin made public some 'spicy political takes' Roger shared with him back in the day, first thing I thought was, This is revenge for Amused to Deaths "Each man has his price Bob, and yours was pretty low", funny how these things stay in the mind. Thanks for spending some time on these amazing albums.
Wonderful video. My ranking would probably be very much the same, but I miss the Waters' contribution with the Bleeding Hearts Band on the When the Wind blows soundtrack to Raymond Briggs terrific animated film about the nuclear war.
Even though Waters only contributed to a single lp side on the album, I'd still love to see where you would put it on the list.
Personally I enjoy Radio Kaos a lot, Pros and Cons even more. I bought Kaos on vinyl when I was 15 - still have it. I was delighted that he did a couple of Kaos tracks when I saw him at the NEC in the early noughties. But the main event for me is Amused To Death - it’s vast, immersive, sounds amazing, and always moves me. I enjoyed Is This The Life…….there’s a lot of references musically to Animals, but if I could only keep one RW album it would be Amused To Death.
Amused to Death was mixed in “Q Sound” to give a spatial sound. I have it on CD, which the notes make a big thing of Q Sound, and it’s a mammoth listen, very immersive.
Definitely Amused To Death at the top - by far really, for me. I never quite realized the Michael Kamen link between The Wall, Final Cut, and this - but it makes sense, I've always sort of unconsciously grouped them together. Just a masterpiece. Have to also agree with you on Is This The Life - gripping disc. Pros and Cons never took for me, but I'll have to give it another listen with you and others rating it so highly. Radio K.A.O.S is a hard one - I really dug it in the day, but it is so 80's. Who Needs Information and Sunset Strip are great, but if you're mentioning tracks, what about The Tide Is Turning? I always loved that one - such a rare ray of hope and innocence for Roger.
I’m a fan of KAOS and would move that up the list. I saw that tour and loved it.
Same here. Though I agree with a lot of the criticism of it I still think its a better album than given credit for.
I saw two of the Wembley Arena shows, brilliant concept and fantastic musicians.
That Paul Carrack began the show with a solo performance of Squeeze’s superb "Tempted" made it a bit special too.
I have all of these records. My list is probably the same as yours. I prefer the remaster of ATD with the added solo on Being Out of Range and the "Stop Dave" dialogue from Space Odyssey, which Roger wanted to have on the original album but apparently couldn't. These were introduced on the In The Flesh live recordings and later adapted to the studio album.
I completely agree that if anything should have a redux, it'd be KAOS. The Powers That Be is already done, from the current tour...just play the record live, regrooved and release the recording. Traditionally, live albums are cheaper to make than studio albums and so to have a live KAOS album, all rocked out, would be perfect for me. Although, as you say, stripped down might work. Or strip it down and fill in the naughty parts with new guitars or soundscapes. Either way, I've been begging for a rethought out KAOS album for years.
Many people (and I agree) that an ATD show in its entirety would be most welcome. That said, if it were up to me, I'd sacrifice that for a KAOS repair job, 100%. ...ATD is my favourite rock album of all time but to have a timeless KAOS album on file, would be MOST welcome.
Honourable mention goes to his work with The Bleeding Heart Band on "When The Wind Blows". In a remixed "Radio Kaos" album, several of these cuts could be included, as they were recorded contemporaneously and are similar stylistically.
From a Roger waters fan since 1973: amused to death is far better than any other. Pros and cons and is this... are very good. Dark side redux... i woudn't have done it if i was him.
Molly’s song, Get back to Radio and Going to Live in LA are all tracks that got shunted off KAOS and are great tracks.
Mollys song and Get back to radio are widely available as single b-sides to singles from the album. Molly’s song was performed live in the concerts that supported the album. Great stuff.
When the Wind Blows should be in this list. Stuff like Folded Flags would fit KAOS well.
waters should but out a delux version out of this album with those tracks on it kaos is a great sounding album
I didn’t include ‘When the wind blows’ because it is a soundtrack album that features other artists, therefore more of a compilation. Exactly the same reason I wouldn’t include ‘The Zabriskie Point’ soundtrack in a Pink Floyd ranking.
Right, and a lot of the tracks from "When the Wind Blows" were meant to be used as part of Radio KAOS' second of the double album that never came to be. @@frankshailes3205
Well, that kind of thinking is just wrong in my humble opinion. Yet I appreciate your work here nonetheless, Thank you, sir. @@classicalbum
Hi, I've become increasingly respectful towards your knowledge of music.
This trip down Rogery Lane has proved my point. I have a deep seated envy of Waters, in that he writes with ease of the human condition. The waste that is war, the greed that is capitalism and the erosion of our freedoms.
Very good vlog
😎☯️🌱
can't believe i've been listening to amused to death for 31 years... excellent run down
Fuck, Amused to Death is such an interesting album, I don't think it sounds as good as Is This the Life or even Pros and Cons but it might very well be the most sharply-written work Waters has ever done, both in terms of his solo work and maybe all-around in his entire career. It really merits more recognition than what it gets, really cool record all-around.
"Amused To Death" is my favorite Roger Waters Lp. Is real good! I also love Roger's collaboration with Eddie Van Halen on the song, "Lost Boys Calling". Gorgeous song!!❤❤
thankyou for this.
having seen the dsotm redux a few weeks back, your review is well appreciated. Roger narrated the evening with charm and gusto.
Cohen , Dylan and Waters are three artists that understand enough to know they are at a new artistic pass age 80.
Amused to Death (listened to death) is by far his most interesting solo recording.
“I'm dead, Roger. Get over it.”
~ Roger Waters' Dad
'Keep laying the poppy wreaths' ~ kind old King George
Good video👍 How about a Gilmour solo ranking next?
Amused to death is awesome. The lyrics on it are just amazing. Three wishes, Amused to death and Watching tv are the high points there.
Interesting that there's no honorable mention of Roger's work in the film When the Wind Blows, as that also seems the perfect vehicle for his world view at the time.
I didn’t include ‘When the wind blows’ because it is a soundtrack album that features other artists, therefore more of a compilation. Exactly the same reason I wouldn’t include ‘The Zabriskie Point’ soundtrack in a Pink Floyd ranking.
@@classicalbum Hilda's Hair is the saddest piece of music I know.
"The memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime." - Roger Waters
He has ruined Free Four for me as well.
"Is This The Life" edges it for me, I think, because it's far more accessible than some of Waters' more high-concept solo stuff, which can be accused of being concept over "choons." "Is This The Life" does both, and sounds more like a classic Floyd album than anything Floyd 2.0 pooped out post-Waters. I'm still wrapping my head around "Amused to Death" having obtained the Blu-ray audio version.
Amused to death is amazingly accurate in its study of how we are all desensitised by technology and information. Written just before the start of the internet . Very prophetic piece of work.
Just picked up amused to death and was impressed 👌
Yes. You'll find yourself listening more AND more..
I played the Waters Redux album last night. Not expecting much really with all the negative reviews. I was pleasantly surprised and found it an enjoyable listen, very well produced and left me intrigued enough to spin it again in the future. Is it Waters best solo album - hmmmmm at the minute no, that still goes to Pros and Cons.
Amused to Death is his best solo work by a wide, wide margin. I've enjoyed ll of his albums since Pros and Cons at the time of release and thru the relative tours, but as the excitement of a new Waters release wore off in the moment, all of his albums apart from ATD went back on the shelf, rarely to be revisited again. The irony is that he didn't tour Amused to Death and it would have been the album that translated best live. To have seen What God Wants pt 3 live with Jeff Beck.
he did play what god wants part 1 and 3 with jeff beck live once. It's on youtube in case you want to check it out
@@gwimbly519 Didn't realize that. Will dig for it.
Amused to death is the best, well chosen, the redux I like vertical soundscape with its depth of space . A far cry from the multitude of mixed sounds in the original widescape
I've always weighted the positives of KAOS much higher than I take away from the negatives to find it enjoyable. It is what it is and I'm ok with hit.
The first time Pink Floyd played the chords to "Breathe" was on 20 November 1971, last show of the Meddle tour. In this show, Rick Wright's equipment suffers some kind of malfunction during the opening number, "The Embryo," right after the vocals and the descending bass line. Unlike other times when this happened, the others in the band kept playing while Wright and the roadies worked on the equipment. This left the others improvising to fill the time. At one point, David Gilmour goes into the two chord sequence to "Breathe," which he plays for a minute or so, with Roger Waters (who kept dropping out, presumably to help fix the keyboards, as he was closer to Wright onstage than Gilmour was) joining in.
I always liked Radio Waves.
Some interesting items here! I haven't got some of these recordings! Interesting stuff will investigate!
Radio KAOS could certainly do with that remix. Interesting there might be more songs in the can from that period. I never knew that.
Excellent review and I largely agree. Radio KAOS remains stick in 87 for me. Others have aged well.
The last 3 tracks of Radio Kaos are on par with any of his Floyd work. They are incredible.
Oh I forgot to add, as some others have suggested, where is The Final Cut? ;)
Thanks
Thank you for your generosity
Jeff Beck is phenomenal on ATD, but Eric on Pros & Cons is brilliant in a different way
Both are outstanding performances by artists whose solo work does little for me. They absolutely SHINE on those albums.
It appears as though without Pink Floyd these albums by themselves would never have gotten any traction albeit maybe 'Amused to Death'.
Amused to Death is definitely his best solo work, no doubt about it. I just wish he was a bit more prolific.
He’s had a huge hand in creating at least 9 masterpieces…he’s prolific 😊
@refinedrapture_ 9? There are 8 solo albums and that's if we count Music from the Body. Only Amused to Death is (arguably) a masterpiece.
@@russellthechemist8291 his contributions while a mentor PF count as well
No, I think you are just a bit off here. ATD has too many musical rehashes of Floyd's hit albums woven in self-consciously to make it his best. Then to not mention "The Tide is Turning" on KAOS is seriously neglectful, as it is one of the most beautiful tracks he has ever done, especially as a solo artist. And Pros and Cons ranks at or near the top with Clapton's finest playing of the 80's, and stunning arrangements not found on the following solo Waters albums - as it was Kamen again who you do agree was a perfect arranger/producer for Waters intensity. Ps & Cs, and KAOS never feel or sound like rehash the way ATM does imo.
Fantastic review,couldnt argue with any of that,Amused to Death is a masterpiece up there with the Floyd classics in my opinion,love pros and cons,a wonderful insight into the mid life crisis and the struggle within,and Radio Kaos i think is underrated and as you say gets lost in the 80s production but some great music on there,Iand would be a classic if remastered,Is this the life sums up the world we currently live in perfectly,and the Redux i think is a very moving look back at a young mans ideas through an old man's eyes,nearly impossible to detach yourself from the original so its always going to be a difficult journey to discover the greatness in that one,what a back catalogue of amazing work though
Excellent rundown and I have to say i agree with your running order. Of all his solo works I find, as most of us will be on here, as an avid Floyd fan the Is The Life... album the most curious. Even still over his recent Redux opus. To me it sounds (and I am certian this was Rog's intention) like a PF work-in-progress album say circa 1978 and everything is now recorded pretty much. The drums, the bass, the keyboards, the rhythm guitars, the acoustic guitars and Rog's vocals. So its all sat there on tape (its '78 remember haha) and all they're waiting for now is Dave to turn up his Hiwatts and make his Strat scream....
Agree woth the list, woth the caveat that Is this the life is a very close second. It has some clunkers (picture that, smell the roses), but where it soars, i cant get enough. And thw last three.songs are the closest thing to love songs we ever got.from him (i kind of hate pigs on the wing pt 1 and 2), nutnit was worth the 50 year wait. O swear theae songs have improved my marriage. Deja vu is one the most poignant encapsulation of the modern world ive ever heard. Love your videos!
Radio KAOS is my favourite even if Roger hated it. I love the story, very relevant in the eighties
Pros and Cons of Waters
I like kaos, don’t mind the 80’s production at all, his last album is also really great
Great insights not sure that I like all of the screaming on The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking so I would place it fourth and DSOM redux second or third...BTW I do like the screaming on The Final Cut
I still love radio KAOS
Yes it is Roger’s best very underrated amused to is a masterpiece like Darkside of the moon
Would also love to hear Radio KAOS re-mastered, didnn't like Dark Side Redux but Lockdown sessions sounds great on Vinyl
i do hope roger reads this and sees all the love for "chaos" as many say it needs a "REDUX".
I'd love to know where you'd rank the final cut in the mix. Not a solo but may as well be
I have done a Pink Floyd ranking and a stand alone video on The Final Cut
Waters rarely makes his words rhythm - too contrived and predictable.
YET in “Smell the roses” only Waters can find words to rhythm with “phosphorus”
“Wake up and smell the phosphorus
This is the room we keep a human heir
Don't ask, don't tell, it couldn't be lost for us”
The powers that be from radio kaos needs a mention, and the less said about the dark side the moon redux the better, apart from that your rating of amused to death is spot on ,someone gave me a poor tape recording of this album telling me to listen to it …rogers songwriting on this album rivals any work he has done before and after . I like the commentary on perfect sense reporting on a war like you are at a baseball match or a ballgame . Great ranking barry. Sorry I can’t bring myself to rate dark side 😢
My favorite albums 1- Amused To Death. 2- Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. 3- Radio KAOS.
I remember when the Radio K.A.O.S Album came out in1987, I didn't expect the type of music from Roger and in the beginen not like it, but more I listen to the Album became more interesting and more like it
In the period '68-'72 Pink Floyd did not quite know what to do musically. They made albums with a a view to touring the result until the material worked well live. I tend to see Water's 80's albums in a similar way, as something he composed so that he had something new to go on tour with. Which album from 'Pros and Cons' and 'Radio K.A.O.S.' onward has proved to be the most cohesive live experience? Which album provided the best live versions that undid awkward period production fixations?
Amused to death is proof that RW was the genius of PF.
100% agree with your number one, though I would rank Pros and Cons higher. I was blown away when I first heard Amused to Death, because it was with a high end sound system and was mastered in "Q Sound."
I love Radio KAOS, and especially loved that live tour.
So where does dark side of the moon 🌚 redux fit in to your top eight ? .Or don’t you like it 😂interesting stuff thanks 🙏
Agree with the placement of Amused to Death! The others are more or less right with me.
pros and cons is better than life we really want its just tough to get into but when the penny drops it becomes superb. ATD is just perfect.
Some would argue The Final Cut is a Roger Waters album - with the members of PF guesting. He'd effectively steered the Floyd's direction from Animals through The Wall and Final Cut is Roger's baby.
Same as MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON and DIVISION BELL Dave's babies with special guests ...
@@peterchios9637 Absolutely agree. That's why many consider these 'Pink Floyd' albums rather humdrum. Without Roger's fiery input PF were rather tame, IMO.
I love Radio KAOS. Sure, it has the 80's production but it shows that Roger was capable of doing something different. He did a modern pop rock opera with such a great message in the age of MTV. It has a ton of great songs. The tour was so much fun to hear Paul Carrick sing with Roger and Andy playing funky versions of Floyd songs. Was it as good as Floyd or Pros and Cons, no, but it sure is a fun album and meaningful album.
Agreed on Amused To Death, his best solo work. I would have rather had an update on this than Dark Side Of The Moon.
The remix re released on a 2 X LP set of ATD is the best version.
I love Radio KAOS and would probably put that at #1. I know the production is dated, but I dug the album back then and saw that tour (2Xs). I realize that Amused to Death is probably better from artistic standpoint, and I love that record too, but it didn't connect with me in the same way that Radio KAOS did.
So for me:
Music From The Body
Pros and Cons
Is This The Life We Really Want
Amused To Death
Radio KAOS
I put Is This The Life kind of on par with Pros and Cons. It's got some good tracks, but overall I hear him trying to connect with tones and subject matters he has in the past... lots of bands are doing this now. They are trying to create nostalgia within the music itself so that old fans will connect with the newer music. It put me off a little bit, but I still enjoy it to some degree.
I just realized that “Stop … Dave” is referring to Gilmore. I recall hearing that the original concept of ATD was about Pink Floyd.
I feel Radio KAOS is brilliant, but it’s really hard to listen to the affected 80s production, mostly the keyboards. Underneath that production is a great album.
I'm a bit of an 80's fan boy, so actually still love Radio KAOS. I can understand why many don't though. Amused to Death is his masterpiece for sure though. Am I the only person that prefers the original over the remixed version?
Likewise about Radio KAOS. For one, Sunset Strip is probably his most joyful sounding song (Which is really saying something). Would love a redux/remastered/stripped back Radio KAOS with all the songs that were originally left off.
I thought his concert for KAOS was far superior to the Floyd one at the time (I saw both a weekend apart at the same venue in Oakland, CA).
The remix on Vinyl flows so much better over four sides and when played through a surround sound system on Vinyl, it sounds superb.
I keep coming back to Amused to Death , Becks playing is sublime , thoughtful and visceral . I like Radio KAOS too , but not keen on the new Dark Side mumble fest , although the production is amazing , Roger is Roger and long may he do what he does 😊👍
Totally a fan of "Amused to Death".
Radio Kaos is a very good album, no matter what Roger says
I don’t hate the redux like a lot of people do, but I agree it’s not his best work. It would be interesting if he reworked the Final Cut in this style instead
I know this video is almost a year old at this point, but I was wondering what your opinion is of Roger's (and the Bleeding Hear band's) work on the soundtrack for the movie, When the Wind Blows. I understand why it wouldn't be on this list, as Roger shares half the album with other artists, but it is an interesting bit by him that I rarely hear mentioned.
Thanks and thanks for all the great content.
I shall re do this video when his new album comes out
I think you have got it right, Amused to Death is as good as any Floyd album,
I've always had a soft spot for KAOS given the connection to the defunct KMET in LA. The narrator (Jim Ladd) and various other characters on that album we all part of my younger years listening to the Mighty Met. Yes, there are some production gimmicks and some outlandish themes, but it's a great listen anyway!
Now, once we saw you wearing a tshirt with Miles Davis name, please, do a ranking of his albuns. But please, include robbed musical pieces like Little Church and the many others. Check out about a real genius Hermeto Pascoal. Do that for the music!
Seconding this, would love a Miles ranking too!
As much as I like Miles, this would be out of my comfort zone and would feel out of my depth
@@classicalbum I like Miles as well, but first of all, I love music. Let's not to close our eyes. Just as we should not close our eyes to the Palestinian cause that has been suffering from theft, attacks and discrimination since 1948. Hama is not Palestine. Roger himself is an active voice in search of justice! Thank you!
Amused to Death was the only one that was remotely listenable to me, even then I made a 35 minute edit of the parts that I liked.
Well i must say i like your ranking but on one point i differ. I would put the darkside of the moon redux on one. I think its brilliantly done. I don't understand the need of people to compare it with the 1973 version. They stand on their own with a 50 year different perspective. Bob dylan never plays a song in the same time twice. He is master in reconstruction of his own songs. No one complains about that. But with Waters it immediately leads to a controversy. Why? Time to listen to the lyrics i would say and the massage he is telling for so many years. I think its brilliantly done because in this time of life we live, the message about life and about empathy is more important the ever. And in this new version the emphasize on the lyrics is in my opinion strong and without escape. So Redux on one.
A well researched precis of considerations around Roger's oeuvre. I'm putting Dark Side ne place higher - it may yet climb further, I'm still not a fan of the production of Is this the life.......but nevertheless, a thoughtful and considered take on a really interesting and varied solo career, and I thank you for it. I saw Ca Iea on its' debut in Poland, and own one of six only quad sized posters produced for it that weren't stuck up around the city of Poznan. Sent Matt from Brain Damage one of the other ones.........
Another thing that has rarely been talked about...this shows release coincided with the writers and actors strikes...which means that there was. I promotional effort allowed from any of the actors, whether thru media, social media, anything. I feel that ramped down a good bit of the hype that would've been possible. Other issues for sure, the Disney effect, etc. But I never see this as an issue and I think it's a big one.
~~ Radio K.A.O.S. from 1987 was over-produced - and the opening track; "Radio Waves" was a rather ham-fisted & plastic-sounding attempt at a radio-friendly track - but there are still some very good songs on the record. So many records made in the mid-80's were plagued with too much Fairlight synth noise all over the place. Without all that - this record would likely be much better remembered today than it is ..
I’d also argue that you could have included the When the wind blows soundtrack. There’s certainly a lot more Roger on that album than on Music from the body and there are some cracking tunes on it. It’s the whole of the B-Side and about 20-25 minutes worth of Roger venturing down his, as a critic described it, “Armageddon Alley”.
Definitely worth checking out if you haven’t.
I didn’t include ‘When the wind blows’ because it is a soundtrack album that features other artists, therefore more of a compilation. Exactly the same reason I wouldn’t include ‘The Zabriskie Point’ soundtrack in a Pink Floyd ranking.
I have it on good authority that Roger is responsible for the loud trouser-browner at the start of 'Music From the Body' .... which means it has to make this list
Ha ha ha! That’s brilliant. Will have to dig it out again and have a listen.
Who did the artwork better, Lateralus or Music from the Body?
I love your order here and agree with someone else, he should have redone KAOS instead of trying to finger paint the Monalisa.
I think ‘When the wind blows’ soundtrack by Roger Waters and the Bleeding Heart Band should be included in the list.