SHINE ON

For those too lazy to buy every FLOYD studio album individually in 1992, "Shine On" was their answer. By purchasing this now out-of-print 9 CD collection, you essentially got half the FLOYDIAN catalogue in one shot. Since a collection like this really only appeals to the hardcore fan and collector, I never did understand why this release didn't contain the entire studio set. The albums missing from this collection are: "PATGOD", "More", "Ummagumma", "Atom Heart Mother", "Obscured By Clouds" and "The Final Cut", as well as "The Division Bell", which hadn't yet been released in 1992.

I recommended that this Box Set be added to the Archives primarily because of "The Early Singles" bonus CD that it comes with. This CD, while similar to the "Relics" or "Works" compilation albums, is entirely unique to this set, and therefore quite a collector's item. It contains four unreleased songs that digitally are almost impossible to find (legally). Two of the songs: 'Apples & Oranges', and 'Candy and A Currant Bun' are typical SYD BARRETT songs in their whimsical nature, comical lyrics and musically would feel right at home on "Piper At The Gates of Dawn" The other two unreleased songs were made just after Syd's departure, and show the reborn FLOYD in its infancy. 'It Would Be So Nice' (written and sung by RICK WRIGHT) and 'Point Me At The Sky' (sung by DAVE GILMOUR, written by GILMOUR/WATERS) are wonderful early FLOYD gems, being very playful, English poppy songs.

The music found on the 'other' 8 CD's is 'Classic FLOYD' (containing the full studio versions of monster albums like DSOTM, WYWH, Animals, The Wall etc), and easily earns a 5-star 'masterpiece' rating. However, the price of this boxset (often surpassing 150 quid/250$ US or more to the right buyer) means "Shine On" is primarily for the rich collector type. The average music listener is just as well off buying the regular, studio releases for a fraction of the price. But for those of you who own a copy of this box set, lock it away. It will be worth a mint one day.