Pink Floyd – Delicate Sound of Thunder (2020) (Album Review)

Pink Floyd is a legend when it comes to Rock bands: they have made music history and are a piece of that history, as well. The Brits started the band in 1967 – that is over five decades ago! Sure, they have disbanded and reunited a couple of times, but they still have an impressive resume and have managed to create an outstanding legacy that will be passed down from generation to generation. 

All of this said, Pink Floyd is back to offer up a piece of that aforementioned history with a brand new re-release of their Grammy nominated film and live album, Delicate Sound of Thunder (2020), recorded at Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum in August 1988. Warner Music delivers the 2CD package to North American fans on November 20, 2020, while Sony Music handles distribution in Europe.

For collectors, it’s important to note that Delicate Sound of Thunder (2020) is available not only in the 2CD format, but also on Blu-ray, DVD, 3LPs, as well as a 4CD deluxe edition. Restored and re-edited from the original 35mm film and enhanced with 5.1 surround sound, the collection contains actual footage from the show, bonus material, and much more. And with 23 tracks, this album lasts for well over two hours. The audience in the background infects the listener with their excitement and passion, allowing the overall vibe of the concert to fill the room. Calm and yet powerful, Pink Floyd performs their music and it goes without saying that all of the songs are timeless and impressively performed. In this, there is no way to ignore this music or let it fade into the background while listening.

Indeed, the sound has been completely remixed from the original multitrack tapes by longtime Pink Floyd engineer Andy Jackson with Pink Floyd’s own David Gilmour, assisted by Damon Iddins, and the remastered recordings of these arrangements that are over 30 years old will leave listeners stunned. The vocals are brilliant and even the long instrumentals are a pleasure that never seems too much throughout popular songs like “Signs of Life,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2,” and “Comfortably Numb.” Even younger listeners are likely familiar with all of the above tracks, all noteworthy additions to the band’s oeuvre and deserving of a sing-along. But these are not the only tracks: Delicate Sound of Thunder (2020) is filled with songs that will move each listener.

In fact, painstaking care was taken with the setlist to carefully balance the then-new material with Pink Floyd classics, including songs from The Dark Side Of The Moon (“Time,” “On the Run,” “The Great Gig in the Sky,” “Us and Them”), the entirety of A Momentary Lapse Of Reason (“Learning To Fly,” “On the Turning Away,” “Sorrow”) and, of course, The Wall (“Run Like Hell”). But they also toss in other offerings, such as “Money,” “One of These Days,” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts 1-5,” and this is only the 2CD edition of the collection! The 4CD Deluxe/Box Edition contains five extra tracks for your listening enjoyment.

Directed by Wayne Isham, the film itself has been painstakingly restored and transferred to 4K, and completely re-edited by Benny Trickett from the restored and upgraded footage, under the creative direction of Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis. With 21 tracks brought back to life in vivid color, it’s a must for Pink Floyd fans.

In short, Pink Floyd has released yet another gem, one that is not only a nice Christmas present for fans but for every music lover, as well. An impressive record of the creative power of David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright at their finest, Delicate Sound of Thunder (2020) is an engrossing and uplifting event, to be enjoyed by any Rock music fan. A must-have, Cryptic Rock gives the album 5 out of 5 stars.