Roger Waters: 'Amused to Death' - Classic Album Review

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

I love spending time with you....you really go deep. it's fun.

[@yesacoustic]

Yes, it was a good deep review

[@dvdbytes4348]

The best Pink Floyd album that is not a Pink Floyd album. Waters best solo album.

[@mikebull1972]

Absolutely, agreed.

[@jalalodinsalehi5639]

Imagine if it was actually a Pink Floyd Album. If pinkfloyd wouldn't have torn apart after The Wall It would've been wonderful

[@patriotpizzaman]

I prefer all three of the Pink Floyd albums released after Roger's departure over this one although, I must admit that Endless River is mainly due to my admiration of Dave and Nick framing Rick's playing as a tribute to him and the loving care they took in preserving Rick's contributions to later days Floyd via the redone Momentary Lapse Of Reason and the fine Division Bell.

[@drumsybatabamboom8022]

The whole album is one of my favorites, but What God Wants-pt.3 brings me to tears, with Jeff Beck's emotional guitar solo.

[@Prod-23]

Damn right. Beck on this album is stupidly good.

[@sizzlechest69]

That guitar solo is legendary.

[@philfyphil]

I would have loved to see Roger’s face when Jeff finished that part and he listened to it the first time.

[@siroswaldfortitude5346]

agreed, the highlight of the album for me

[@slumdogjay]

I actually prefer Amused To Death to any Pink Floyd album. Jeff Becks guitar is haunting as is the general sound across the album.Very powerful songs too.

[@MIB_63]

Great review of my favorite post-Floyd album. If it had been recorded by Floyd it would have become a big hit.

[@troydonwainwright6375]

To me this album is a masterpiece on the same level as The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon.

[@tonyparkes9467]

Absolutely agree!

[@nunomuacho446]

100%, funny just the other day said the same thing to a friend

[@johnwalters5410]

I really loved his most recent, Is This The Life We Really Want.

[@nimzyzamzam431]

Over the years I’ve struggled with finding a connection to Water’s solo material, much like the disconnect I feel when listening to post-Water’s Floyd. I’ll be honest, the deterioration in Roger’s voice is also a stumbling block I find difficult to traverse. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve given this album a proper listen. I think I’m going to do just that on this quiet Sunday morning. On a personal note, as I was watching this video my wife walked by and heard your voice and asked, “Is that your friend?” I said “Yes. I suppose it is.” Cheers!

[@classicalbum]

Thanks for watching and commenting. On a personal note I like to think there is a connection with many people who watch my channel - people who love to talk about the minutia of the music. Be safe and keep listening.

[@RecliningFurniture]

So how did you get on, that Sunday morning (I possibly haven't heard the album for 30 years, and am also thinking of giving it another spin)?

[@louisfifteen]

This is the best and most in depth review I have ever heard. All the thoughts I have had and all the feelings, the gratitude I have felt, while discovering this GEM of an album. Thank you for your effort. Just saddens me to see where RW is heading in recent years.

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi Barry, Not surprised for your review of this album because for me this is his MASTERPIECE as a solo artist. I concur totally. Love the effects, the words, the voice.... even Jeff Beck's presence as well as Don Henley doesn't hurt but it is Water's wit, his commentary and his genius that comes through loud and clear. I think I may revisit this one thanks to your exquisite review and description of this chef d'oeuvre. I find Roger is too often criticized for being a totalitarian with Floyd, or so they say.... and as you say his solo work often dismissed. I even enjoy Pros and Cons and Radio KAOS but yes, this one is in a league totally of its own. Thank you and keep well, Tino

[@classicalbum]

I agree

[@nottingtohide]

His best solo album to date. Very intense and emotional. There's a Final cut feel to the album.

[@louiemcmahon7884]

I'm only 17 nearly 18 and I have been watching your reviews for a few years now and I've now gotten huge into Pink Floyd and especially Roger's solo albums and that's thanks to you and my dad so thank you for helping me discover one of my favourite bands and solo artists ever!

[@classicalbum]

My pleasure... enjoy the music..

[@johnhowardsmith1776]

I don't know if you know this, but Roger, Rick and Nick originally wanted Jeff Beck to replace Syd, but were afraid to ask, so Beck's appearance on AtD works on two levels, in a way.

[@zefrem1]

It is the must underrated album of all time it's absolutely beautiful

[@tonyparkes9467]

'Tis so!!

[@SloeGin-ip1xk]

Stunning album. True masterpiece. The best Floyd album that never was. Roger is a genius.

[@tonyparkes9467]

Well said!

[@ShinDSER]

This is my favourite album of all time.

[@bellyofanarchitect]

Mine too.

[@robsummers8344]

Blimey 😳

[@tonyparkes9467]

Mine as well. It's brilliant on every level. Friends of mine who are huge Floyd fans just don't see it. It absolutely drives me crazy trying to figure out why!!!

[@frommetoyou1981]

Wise choice sir

[@majsiewiczm57]

@@tonyparkes9467 są głusi ?

[@SoftwareAgentsTV]

I love the 1992 Edition of this album. It's great stuff. Probably Waters' best lyrics effort and certainly his best-mixed album.

[@StingrayMk1]

I love how Roger gets the very best from his session musicians. Clapton on Pros & Cons is Clapton at his most profound. Same with Jeff Beck on this album. This is important music. Tears burn in my eyes every time. Thankyou for a positive review. ✨️

[@majsiewiczm57]

Zgadzam się z Tobą 200 procent.👍😉

[@Patrick-sheen]

I just bought this album and another you recommended in another review, High Violet. So great to have a resource such as this, you cover loads of my favourite bands.

[@tobiasinnit]

Good job. Thanks for getting me to rediscover this record

[@Zholobov1]

Great album! I managed to get Roger's authograph on my 1992 2LP original edition in 2018 in St.Petersburg 😊😊😊

[@separateglances1]

I keep telling fellow Floyd fans just how wonderful this album is but some of them seem to have become anti-Waters, their loss as for me this sits happily amongst the very best of the Floyd output. The Blu-ray version of ATD is SUPERB.

[@qdaveq6597]

I always find I've got something in my eye when Razzell comes back near the end.

[@alanbodell2050]

Yeah, Arrass, both my Gramps got badly wounded in WW1, one deafened for life in the trenches and the other shot twice at Gallipolli...when the Bill Hubbard thing starts i get emotional.

[@salvelegio1425]

For me this is sooooo much more than just another album. True, it’s a masterpiece. It actually made me through out my TV. Talk about defining moment. By the way, I happen’d to have the LP still sealed. Thanks for posting!

[@AhmedEtman79]

That's a good review to my top favorite album of all times. I believe it's greatly underrated.

[@PetraKann]

Beck caps this great album off very nicely. My second favourite album from PF or any of the solo works. Wish You Were Here being my favourite. Animals, Dark Side of the Room, Meddle and Final Cut are my top 6. But what the hell would I know?

[@dhtm3577]

Nicely done! A great album done by a great artist. “We have MacDonalds in Tibet.” The creative juices are incredible. “Why do I have to keep reading these technical manuals.” I saw PF live many times, and Roger doing Radio KAOS and a couple of tours after, but wished he would have toured with this piece!!! 🙏

[@classicalbum]

Well said!

[@geoffhateley5253]

Great video, well put together, researched and presented. I love the combination of analysis, passion and minutiae. Although I'm 60 and a big Floyd fan, saw The Wall at Earl's Court and Delicate Sound tour, have never really listened to Waters solo stuff, about to rectify that now starting here! There's a great music and guitar community on KZbin which has, in my opinion, really stepped up in these difficult times. Well done. I also love sea of tranquility, more opinion based, but passionate, fun and a phenomenal output.

[@mikevieira8583]

Originally released in Qsound, this album rewards listening from the stereo sweet spot.

[@bellyofanarchitect]

My absolute fav album ever.

[@Phoneteus]

Another brilliant review - couldn't agree more, Amused to Death has stood the test of time. Now I need to check out the 2015 reissue.

[@MisterTMH]

The 2015 remix is better and the album flows better over 4 sides of vinyl.

[@colinwoods4435]

Great to see Amused to Death getting some air-time. I never really got on with Pros and Cons and Radio KAOS, but Amused to Death is just fantastic. Not a dud note on it. His most recent album was pretty good as well, though not in the same league of shining brilliance as Amused. Its an album that needs to be listened to though. It doesn't have the ambience that makes Pink Floyd work as background music, so if you haven't really explored Amused to Death then sit down alone in a quiet room with the lyrics and let yourself go.

[@stephenlegg262]

Hi Barry. Thanks for the review. Will order this on Amazon now.

[@andykelly4056]

This album is by far one of the most underrated albums. It is seriously a masterpiece. One of my all time favourites

[@alanbodell2050]

One of my favourite albums ever, got all his solo stuff, he has done some brilliant content and i'm old enough to have seen PF live multiple times, a great experience.....i just hate his politics, way too out left for me.

[@Prod-23]

How can anyone have an issue with giving a shit about your fellow human???

[@philfyphil]

I’m not sure if I have a rare version of this album but my copy has guitar parts missing. For example in the track Bravery of Being Out Of Range, there is no guitar in the middle section, just a bit or rhythm work in the left speaker. Not sure what else is missing, but I just heard a copy on Spotify that sounds totally different. I always thought it sounded unfinished, now I realise why.

[@rcpsammy7186]

Superb analysis of a breathtaking album.. Just a brilliant work and artistic statement. Just played this again last night. A new, 4 LP version is coming out next April, which I've pre-ordered.

[@LeonWick526]

"It's a Miracle" is a great song. I love the ominous opening and how it progresses into this operatic piece which serves as the perfect climax for the album. The religious references are great too. I never heard of Gethsemane until I heard this song. I thought the Lloyd-Weber jab was a little silly and irrelevant. Almost as if Roger needed more lyrics to close the song but couldn't think of anything else.

[@philipbrianwaters]

Gotta say you nailed this, great lp and to this day relevant..

[@THEDERBYRAM]

Fantastic review of the best album of all time

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for watching

[@madhouze1]

This album is even more relevant today than when Waters first conceived and wrote it. Your review is also more relevant in the light of recent events. With the increasing use of Drones or UAVs to carry out strikes, the Bravery of Being Out of Range seems almost prophetic.

[@zooropaforever]

Floyd's production is overall better than Waters' after the 1985 split. But this ATD stands out as a masterpiece. It totally dwarfs "Pros&Cons", "Radio Kaos" and even the more recent "Is this..." It was completely not understood when it was released. Hands down, one of the best records of the 90s and one my favourite album ever.

[@chadczternastek]

To each their own, but I am a Roger Waters fan, deep in my bones. When he sings a lyric, you feel the emotions. I hear the things people pick at on Amused To Death and I don't get it. I haven't spent as much as I should on Hitchhiker album, but I love the diversity of his albums. KAOS had this modern feel, just opposite of the Pink Floyd days. I love his stuff, especially The Final Cut. That album is personal for me so I like it for more than the music. That album I heard not in the hundreds but the thousands. It got me through darkness that lasted for decades.

[@nedflanders8357]

The blu ray mix is astonishing. Magnificent album

[@Northernlightshow]

I've got it on CD which was mixed in "Q Sound" which was supposed to be like faux 3D surround sound. To be honest, I couldn't really tell. I didn't really take to the album thinking it was a hard listen as a teenager the first time round but being reintroduced to some of the songs during the "In the Flesh" tour it really grew on me. Now I find Waters' music legacy fantastic but find him a bit of a stuck record with how bloody miserable he continues to be.

[@IfUfindthisURlost]

Q sound, that brings back memories. I recall getting Sting's Soul cages, mixed in Q sound. I listened to it in the dark, perfectly positioned equally between the speakers. I'm not sure too, that there was any difference, or if I imagined that there was.

[@frommetoyou1981]

Id rank it up there with Floyds best works (Dark side, The Wall, The final cut) its that good. "Just love those laser guided bombs, theyre really great for righting wrongs" his choice of lyrics is brilliant here....

[@mikevieira8583]

The Q Sound encoding on the stereo mix provides quite a spacious stereo image. You can hear the dog behind you at the beginning if it's working. And the 2015 5.1 mix is cool too. ATD is among my favorite records.

[@robsummers8344]

Excellent review - a major work by anyone’s standards - ATD deserved much more acclaim than it got at the time ✌🏻🌒

[@nicksallnow-smith7585]

Completely agree. A wonderful album; one of your best points is the way in which the beautiful instrumentation is a counterpoint to Waters' own growl and cynicism. I think this is an essential reason why the album is so listenable. But it raises another point which many of your videos also reference which is how many great albums that have stood the test of time were panned by critics on their release. I suspect this is not random nor a coincidence but something deeper about the superficiality of the critics' mode of existence. It would be interesting if you did a video with your own views on this.

[@jamesfinn8186]

Thanks for the video. Enjoyed very much, as I think this is Roger's masterpiece.

[@stevetobin7495]

Great album and beck is on fire

[@Viva_Trump]

A very comprehensive reading. Thank you.

[@mikearchibald744]

Sorry if I'm repeating, I haven't watched all this yet, but I loved the quote from the backup singers who said they had NO idea what the hell they were singing about. To me this is about the best concept album ever, its more like a novel set to music or a play, or a musical, but you know something is good when you can't quite identify it. I think Clutching at Straws is better as a piece of art, but this is more of a social comment, sort of like Bruce Cockburn used to be famous for, and not too many others. I haven't really listened to it in decades, like good art about difficult subject matter its not something to be 'enjoyed' but 'appreciated'. I actually feel that way about The Wall as well, I think Meddle is my favourite Floyd to 'kick back' to. Nobody is going to play this at their wedding, but maybe their funderal "God wants me back"

[@keithdonald6583]

Better than any Gilmour produced PF albums

[@TractorCountdown]

Thank you for this enlightened and enlightening review. I've never heard this album but have heard elsewhere - and as you say yourself - that it is superbly produced. I'll be giving it a listen, then :)

[@daemonspudguy]

This album is easily my favorite of Roger's solo albums. Is This The Life We Really Want? is close, though.

[@mikevieira8583]

An all-time favorite. The 5.1 blu-ray is a great listen.

[@canario3304]

I know for many this might be an exaggeration but I always considered this my favorite album ever. I listened to it hundreds and hundreds of times. I think you should give Pros and Cons of Hitchiking another try though, I don't think it's as good as this one but it's pretty close and one of Roger's best work in my opinion (definitely much much better than Radio KAOS). It's probably his most personal album too

[@classicalbum]

I should listen to 'Pros and cons' again I've not heard it since it came out.

[@canario3304]

@@classicalbum The track Sexual Revolution from that album has one of Eric Clapton's best guitar solos

[@aidenswords5809]

Pros and cons is s great album, even though it wos slated by the critics

[@leerobinson4308]

My favourite album

[@zefrem1]

Thank you beautifully said

[@ToddRock16]

Finally we get a great Roger Waters album. Ffinally! A review acknowledging this as a masterpiece which i... To Mr it's definitely in the neighborhood of masterpiece. I know you know your stuff so no quibble. thank you so much for your review I'm new to your channel awesome

[@classicalbum]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for subscribing

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I've always loved this album and I view it as up there with The Wall. For me, this is far more of a Pink Floyd album than A Momentary Lapse of Reason is.

[@tomhancock8184]

Great review. I'm done with Pink Floyd.

[@briancherry8088]

I would have loved to hear more of your thoughts on a few of the later songs. You picked up the pace.

[@gavinthorburn5385]

I wonder what the remaining members of pink floyd thought of the album i thought what god wants was about gilmour in a way,the title amused to death is a nod to the messy break up

[@jogabrielcosta4788]

You earned a subscription. Made me learn new things about one of my favourite records.

[@classicalbum]

Welcome aboard

[@craftiestdude]

A great album made excellent by Beck's guitar work.

[@ThomasMcDowall-c8l]

An album that transcends all the banality of its contemporaries to a point that it achieves a work of philosophical brilliance. An absolute masterpiece, as perfect, in my humble opinion, as any work of music, lyricism and musicianship before or since.

[@kevinthompson1694]

Excellent review of one of ( if not the best album ) of the 90s

[@eddemans]

Great breakdown of a superb album, thanks!

[@GavinMorris1]

Well that was a bucket load of confirmation bias, thank you :) Very glad to have found your channel, love your unashamedly erudite and at times poetic approach. Two disagreements - I don't think JBs guitar is ever Gilmouresque on this record (and I worship at the altar of Gilmour) and I don't think, for all the bleakness, that this particular album lacks for humanity; You see someone through a window that you just learned to miss. and the road leads on to glory but you've used up your last wish. Two decades later that's a kick in the bollocks. Anyway, thank you. Subbed. Loved.

[@DrDooDah]

Great review, man. Thanks.

[@classicalbum]

Thanks.

[@michaelhook5948]

Thanks for interesting views. I'm always torn between this and Pros and Cons if I'm to have a favourite.

[@classicalbum]

Must listen to 'Pros & Cons' again - it's been years

[@veronicaalessandrello1022]

Wow 🤩 well curated.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you! 😊

[@aidenswords5809]

Great intellectual review, i would love to have the word artillery u seem to have

[@peterdixon7734]

An excellent album: much neglected. I used to think that the title was irony - then the internet came along.

[@peterchios9637]

Brilliant Incredible Masterpiece 🎼☮️👊💎

[@MrBjonte]

I really really love that album!!

[@apolloniustyana7372]

Love all rogers solos over Pink Fraud!

[@classicalbum]

This is quite an old review which I might re-do one day

[@mikemack9701]

Oh, do Gilmour's "About Face" next! Giggle.

[@apolloniustyana7372]

Still prefer Dave over Beck. Love Clapton on pros.

[@SergeCaelers]

Stunning album! 🤗

[@classicalbum]

It really is!

[@dvdbytes4348]

Also 23 years ? Wouldn't that be 28 years ?

[@classicalbum]

Yes, you're right... Maths not my strong point ...

[@marpsr]

It’s his only solo album that is as good as a Pink Floyd album.

[@patriotpizzaman]

I've loved this album from the day it was released. I played this thing ad nauseam for several months after its release. Over the years I've turned many an unsuspecting casual Floyd fan onto this album. It's Waters' finest solo piece of work and I honestly don't believe he's capable of topping this. Having said all that, there are some things about this album that I must confess have grown a little tiresome for me over the years. The long passages of Marv Albert narrating the gulf war simulation isn't very listenable anymore (although still not too cringy). I still enjoy listening to it with the occasional newbie but, most times I skip it when I'm alone. Watching TV hasn't aged well for me either. It sounds kind of odd with Don singing it. I think I'd have rather heard Roger sing more on this album even if his voice sounds more like an aging grandfather reminiscing than a rock star. There are a few other spots that are a bit tiresome too but, overall I'm still a big fan of this album albeit not as much of Roger as I used to be. The overt politicization of his world views in his "art" (And in his interviews) has really soured me on him as an artist. His last album had moments I thought were decent but, the album is marred by his insistence on railing against people he disagrees with rather than providing an escape from the events of the day for his fans. It all feels a lot like an effort to shout down the opposition rather than put forth a brighter vision for the future that one could evaluate for yourself and decide to embrace over the alternative.

[@nationaltrevor255]

Waters has never been a "rock star". He is, however, an ageing grandfather who is also an artist. An artist with a great deal of integrity in my book. Which means you're going to get a reflection of him as a the person that he is. You seem to want an ideal version of him.

[@markgibbins4143]

An all time great

[@leerobinson4308]

Which is better original ( my favourite) or remastered

[@PhilWare1]

Original. Can't stand the keyboards on "Bravery of being out of range" amongst other changes.

[@cl8804]

remaster is dogshit

[@falseflag42]

I need to have a beer with you my friend

[@marpsr]

It’s like he replaced Gilmour with Beck, Henley, etc. Smart move.

[@iananderson3799]

My tuppence worth: I agree it is Waters' finest solo work. But it is too long, and dropping the songs between Out of Range and Watching TV would have made for a far punchier and effective message.

[@classicalbum]

I was thinking of re-doing this review tbh.

[@lipsee100]

Wot no Budgie !!!

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

This is easily Roger's best solo album, and in my opinion *could* have been as major as Pink Floyd's best albums. It wanders around a bit too much, and repeats themes a bit too much (IMO). I'd like to think that a somewhat slimmer and more focused version would have received a lot more attention. Or maybe everyone was too busy watching TV, as even MTV was getting bored with music. I do wish he had skipped is little jab at Bob Ezrin. Here he's got a great big concept going, but he has to interrupt that for 30 seconds to say "Oh, and here's this petty little issue in my personal life which is just as important as our entire society being Amused to Death!". Not only did he add in this pathetic little dig, but he was *proud* that he kept it in there. Every time I hear that line it pulls me out of the main narrative.

[@johnbiggs9561]

The best thing about this album is Jeff Beck's astonishing guitar playing. The album per se is just another Waters anti war rant. Without Beck it would be unlistenable.

[@nationaltrevor255]

Amazing.. Pompous AND shallow.

[@stevemurphy6148]

You gave Jeff Beck very little credit. That is a shame.

[@234cheech]

this is a document. to how stupid human beings have become thanks roger