Radio K.A.O.S.

by

Roger Waters

Edit

I really like this album. I've heard some bad things about it, and, although it's not on par with Roger's Pink Floyd work, or Amused To Death for that matter, it is still quite good. Maybe the reason some people don't like it is because, musically, it isn't what you would expect from Waters. It's really a period piece... it is soooooooooooooooooooooo 80's. However, Roger's instantly recognizable lyrical touch and unifying vision serve to make this album have more of a lasting appeal than it's 80's-sound and Cold War paranoia would normally allow. The vocals on this album are interesting. Everybody knows that Roger is not noted as an outstanding singer, but his vocals on this album are distinctive and inspired, quite unlike, at times, anything he has done before or since. Also, the backing vocalists are used far more effectively here than they were to be on Amused To Death. The music itself is far less guitar-oriented than his other work, it consits mainly of the aforementioned 80's style synths and sounds. Of course there is also no Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck on this album. Despite this, all the songs are interesting, some for musicality, but all for Roger's novel lyrics and dry, caustic delivery. The lyrics, focused as they are, aren't as universal as past Waters efforts, but he still hits home and his wit is ever-present. The album flows together nicely, so there aren't really any standout songs, but all of them are good. A big improvement over Pros and Cons, and a step toward his masterpiece Amused To Death, a recommended album for Waters fans.

This album, though a bit dated in its sound, is good. However, like most 80s albums, it suffers from thin production. There is little bass, and everything else is just flat. If this album were remastered, or perhaps even remixed, it could reveal itself to be great. It would also be nice to have the tracks that were deleted from the album for reasons of time (LP limitations - which was really stupid in 1987, but that's the record industry for you) restored. These include Molly's Song, Going to Live in L.A., and Get Back to Radio (all of which were released as b-sides).

So how about it, Powers That Be? Bring on a remaster!