ECHOES - THE BEST OF PINK FLOYD

This compilation is by no means bad - the only problem is that I don't really like compilations - in almost EVERY circumstance I've encountered, hearing a song in its original context is preferrable to hearing it in a compilation. There are exceptions, but these are generally when the time juxtaposition is used to artfully create a new work with new or refined meaning, instead of simply lumping the "best of" for easy fan-access.

I probably shouldn't be writing this review with such a massive byass, but I own the album and listened to it in my youth, so it's fair game for revisionist old-man syndrome.

Someone could argue that this album IS a new take that provides new context - after all, the songs segue into each other! Wow! However, this effect, while making it seem more "classic Floyd," doesn't really serve any artistic purpose. The album is still basically a compilation.

One thing: it is nice to see some of the early singles available here, as well as "When the Tigers Broke Free."

Most of the rest, however, were superior in their original context. There are frequently space-saving edits, making this a good "sampler" for young Floyd fans, but largely redundant for someone with most of the albums. In other words, buy this if you want to hear some non-"main sequence" Floyd without buying the slew of albums that entails, but consider yourself warned if you were thinking of eventually buying them anyway.