P-U-L-S-E

Tonight I'm going to see a show of Pink Floyd music, and the name of the Finnish tribute band happens to be PULSE! That's why I chose to make this review. In fact, the DVD of the same name and contents is quite dear to me (and naturally I've reviewed it already), whereas the CD version of P-U-L-S-E means next to nothing to me personally. But just for the heck I'll give my unnecessary thoughts focussing on the set list.

This nearly 2½-hour show is from the time when Division Bell was new (and when there certainly wasn't to be expected any collaboration between the Gilmour-led band and Roger Waters...). So it's pretty understandable how much Division Bell material there is in the set list. It is a stronger album than A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), but now I realize I actually haven't listened to either of them for ages as complete albums, even if both would contain some interesting material excluded from this concert. When watching the DVD, songs such as 'What Do You Want from Me' and 'Coming Back to Life', not to speak of the rather worn-out hit 'Learning to Fly' from the earlier album, tend to bore me. 'Keep Talking' is very effective as a live number, and 'A Great Day for Freedom' and 'High Hopes' truly deserve to be included. The Lapse song 'Sorrow', stretched here to ten minutes, is a strong choice too.

On the 2nd disc, The Dark Side of the Moon is performed completely. Count me among those who prefer this live version over the original 1973 album, sonically speaking. Of course on some places Roger's vocals are missed, but the large line-up does its best to compensate that. The rest of the set is a relatively thin and narrow selection, concerning the whole Pink Floyd discography. Apart from the obvious Wish You Were Here and The Wall outings, there is 'Astronomy Domine' from the 1967 debut. This is a brave and respectable move from Gilmour, who even wasn't yet in the band back then. It certainly works!

It's hard for me to evaluate this as a live CD. The set list has its pros and CONS, and the possibilities of what COULD have been included also is vast. The performances are well crafted and often perhaps a bit clinical. Three lame stars.

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