Dark Side of the Moon (30th Anniversary Edition) [Hybrid SACD]

By far the best version is the SQ Quadraphonic LP version, but as far as the stereo mix goes, the original UK Harvest CD (made in Japan) is still the high point.

Ten years ago, the fine engineer Doug Sax made a valiant effort, but it is clear listening to that XXth Aniversary Edition CD that the original tapes no longer have the same dynamics they originally had (magnetic analog storage slowly loses it quality).

Nevertheless, I decided to give this new 30th Anniversary CD a try. I should mention here that this is only a review of the standard stereo tracks - I don't yet have an SACD-capable player.

However this release doesn't make me want to run out and buy one. My worst fears have been realized as once again, the overall mix of the album has been lost in favor of "resolving power", ie the ability to hear little details. The problem is that after applying techniques to bring out such details, the engineers have done nothing to restore the original mix of the album.

The result is like a starving artist's copy of a Rembrandt painting - it sounds something like Dark Side of the Moon, but when you hear the real thing, you realize that it is only a faded imitation.

The problem is that few people these days have access to what it actually sounds like. Almost no one listens to their LP versions, and only a handful of people are lucky enough to own the original UK Harvest CD. Furthermore, it seems clear that the engineers of this 30th Anniversary Edition haven't listened to the original, either.

Interestingly, the original engineer, Alan Parsons, asked to be involved in this 30th Anniversary Edition project, but was shut out. It would seem that future listeners suffer as a result.

PS My qualifications: I am a California state certified Studio Recording Engineer. One of my instructors was the original engineer for the drum recordings for "Dark Side of the Moon". I compared the 30th Anniversary Edition, XXth Anniversary Edition, and UK Harvest CDs using AKG K240 Studio Monitor headphones (as used in many studio recording situations over the past 20-30 years).

"Dark Side of the Moon" is the definition of a true album because it is more of a long piece than a collection of songs. It is one long glorious symphony that from the first heartbeats of "Speak To Me" to the climatic finale "Eclipse", it is nothing short of mesmerizing. The songs flow one to another with the most expert cohesiveness and structure, while at the same time it lyrically and sonically goes on the most exhilarating musical journey through the human psyche, exploring the aspects of everyday life such as time, money, division, war, greed, insanity, aging and death and how they mold, shape and what they mean to us as individuals.

The album is also magnificently produced. The multilayered, textured sound effects create an involving and rich ambience that immediately sucks you in, and even enhance the themes the album is working with (The ticking clocks in "Time" and the cash registers in "Money" are still innovative by today's standards). Musically, "Dark Side" is as beautiful and breathtaking as it can get. The album's cosmic, surreal sound landscapes and its soothing, hypnotic pace are so delightful that they get planted in your ears and your brain.

"Dark Side of the Moon" is more than an album, it's an experience. It's a work of art and one of the most important contributions to music in the 20th century. The proof of its impact is out there. 14 consecutive years in the charts and more than 35 million copies sold. It's an album for the senses, the mind, the heart and soul. Simply put, "Dark Side of the Moon" is the best album ever made.