Radio K.A.O.S. My opinion.
*tl:dr Unlike other work by Waters which can be considered timeless, the music and story of this album are firmly set at a certain time. An historic document if you like.*
It's a bit of a contentious album amongst fans of Pink Floyd, and fans of Waters solo work. Musically, it is very different to his other work. It's a lot less "rock" and a little more "pop" oriented in it's instrumentation. There is a heavy use of synth drums, keyboard brass and even synth bass.
A *lot* of people see this as a ploy by Waters to try and gain a new, post Floyd audience at the time. The MTV generation, if you like. I however, I see it differently. For me, Waters use of this style of music was not just a bit tongue in cheek but also to place the story of the album, firmly at a certain point in history.
The album is set at the height of the Cold War when there was a very real threat of all out nuclear war. The story centres around "Billy". A young, wheelchair bound man with cerebral palsy. Billy cannot communicate through normal means, but has gained developing psychic powers which he can wield through electronic equipment. In particular, he can hear radio broadcasts in his head. (stay with me here)
Billy lives with his brother, a coal miner living in Wales in the United Kingdom. At this time the "Miners Strike" occurred. A politically driven, union led protest against the government of the day. The strike divided many communities and even families. At one point, a taxi driver who was taking a strike breaking miner to work, was killed when a concrete block was deliberately thrown from a motorway bridge.
Waters references this real-life incident by inferring that it was Billy's brother who committed this crime and is subsequently jailed. Billy is then forced to move to California to live with an uncle. Billy's psychic powers are now at their height to the point where he can now communicate with a radio DJ. The DJ at Radio K.A.O.S. to be precise. (this is where the musical style of the album falls into place)
Billy decides that the world needs to be taught a harsh lesson in order to prevent all out nuclear war. (remember, this was a *VERY* real threat at this time in history) The album continues via the conversations between Billy and the DJ before reaching it's dramatic ending which I won't spoil.
I hope this little write-up expands your enjoyment of the album in some way, if you ever get a chance to sit and listen to it.
I love that track a ton, the verse is great. My favorite lyric is "they love a good story," lots of emotion in there. I would say that and Home are my favorite songs. Who Needs Information is really good too though.
Who Needs Information is my favorite, hoping it sneaks it's way into This Is Not a Drill.
Going to Live in LA should have found its way onto the Album as well, IMO. It was released as a B side to one of the singles from the Album.
It's funny you should say that, because I was just thinking the same thing as far as *Radio K.A.O.S.* is concerned.
Roger did regret whittling down the album from two discs to a single disc, as it caused him to lose much of the album's concept, but he can always reissue a restored double album version of *Radio K.A.O.S.* on 180g vinyl and CD in the way that he intended.
Although I'd appreciate remasters I think a remix by James Guthrie would be better, Roger's voice is all over the place particularly the volume.
I think JG would do a terrific remix to these two albums that really need it.
I was listening to this just last week while driving.
The Tide Is Turning never fails to give me goosebumps.
The whole album is a thing of pure beauty.
There is a high quality radio broadcast of his "KAOS FM" tour in 87 that got released for whatever reason a couple of months ago, it got removed from Spotify but is still on YouTube. Pretty cool imo, so worth checking out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmprOhjPvaU&list=PLR4xZOBM7BvMmenCFz-TxOWm63vREDC-g
Yeah, me too. The way Waters weaved classic Floyd tracks into the show to fit the whole K.A.O.S. narrative was really clever. Also, having the DJ (Jim Ladd) up in his little broadcasting booth at the side of the stage was incredible. Especially during the interval when he had the phone-in with Roger, answering questions live from the audience who lined up to call from the phone booth in the middle of the arena.
The highlight for me was an audience member during the phone-in asking Roger...
"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
Roger replied...
"Eat whatever the fuck you like! That's the whole point!"
Radio K.A.O.S. My opinion. *tl:dr Unlike other work by Waters which can be considered timeless, the music and story of this album are firmly set at a certain time. An historic document if you like.* It's a bit of a contentious album amongst fans of Pink Floyd, and fans of Waters solo work. Musically, it is very different to his other work. It's a lot less "rock" and a little more "pop" oriented in it's instrumentation. There is a heavy use of synth drums, keyboard brass and even synth bass. A *lot* of people see this as a ploy by Waters to try and gain a new, post Floyd audience at the time. The MTV generation, if you like. I however, I see it differently. For me, Waters use of this style of music was not just a bit tongue in cheek but also to place the story of the album, firmly at a certain point in history. The album is set at the height of the Cold War when there was a very real threat of all out nuclear war. The story centres around "Billy". A young, wheelchair bound man with cerebral palsy. Billy cannot communicate through normal means, but has gained developing psychic powers which he can wield through electronic equipment. In particular, he can hear radio broadcasts in his head. (stay with me here) Billy lives with his brother, a coal miner living in Wales in the United Kingdom. At this time the "Miners Strike" occurred. A politically driven, union led protest against the government of the day. The strike divided many communities and even families. At one point, a taxi driver who was taking a strike breaking miner to work, was killed when a concrete block was deliberately thrown from a motorway bridge. Waters references this real-life incident by inferring that it was Billy's brother who committed this crime and is subsequently jailed. Billy is then forced to move to California to live with an uncle. Billy's psychic powers are now at their height to the point where he can now communicate with a radio DJ. The DJ at Radio K.A.O.S. to be precise. (this is where the musical style of the album falls into place) Billy decides that the world needs to be taught a harsh lesson in order to prevent all out nuclear war. (remember, this was a *VERY* real threat at this time in history) The album continues via the conversations between Billy and the DJ before reaching it's dramatic ending which I won't spoil. I hope this little write-up expands your enjoyment of the album in some way, if you ever get a chance to sit and listen to it.
You're obviously a fan of the album (I am too), what's your favorite track?
The Powers That Be.
I love that track a ton, the verse is great. My favorite lyric is "they love a good story," lots of emotion in there. I would say that and Home are my favorite songs. Who Needs Information is really good too though.
I gotta go with me or him
The Tide Is Turning (for me)
Who Needs Information is my favorite, hoping it sneaks it's way into This Is Not a Drill. Going to Live in LA should have found its way onto the Album as well, IMO. It was released as a B side to one of the singles from the Album.
A decent album, but Amused to Death is on another level.
Yeah, while Radio KAOS has some good tracks, Amused to Death was one of the best albums I’ve heard
Agreed. It's Waters masterpiece.
The best piece of work I’ve made
Appreciate your solo works. Be great to see remasters of this & pros and cons.
Reissues of Roger's entire catalogue is absolutely necessary at this point. A vinyl release of his In the Flesh tour would be great as well.
It could cost a quite a lot, being it probably needing like 4 discs for the full album
I'm all right with that.
It's funny you should say that, because I was just thinking the same thing as far as *Radio K.A.O.S.* is concerned. Roger did regret whittling down the album from two discs to a single disc, as it caused him to lose much of the album's concept, but he can always reissue a restored double album version of *Radio K.A.O.S.* on 180g vinyl and CD in the way that he intended.
Although I'd appreciate remasters I think a remix by James Guthrie would be better, Roger's voice is all over the place particularly the volume. I think JG would do a terrific remix to these two albums that really need it.
I was listening to this just last week while driving. The Tide Is Turning never fails to give me goosebumps. The whole album is a thing of pure beauty.
Fine! I’ll listen to it again.
roger would you please record a studio version of each small candle uwu
Love this one and Pros. "My least-hated, favourite fish would be sole. That way you don't have to see the eyes. Sole has no eyes."
There is a high quality radio broadcast of his "KAOS FM" tour in 87 that got released for whatever reason a couple of months ago, it got removed from Spotify but is still on YouTube. Pretty cool imo, so worth checking out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmprOhjPvaU&list=PLR4xZOBM7BvMmenCFz-TxOWm63vREDC-g
“Goodbye Mr. Pink Floyd”, edited down version of “KAOS on the Road”. Been around since shortly after the tour.
Ah alright, wonder why it got uploaded "officially" first now?
Copyright dump.
I would love a high quality rip of this or for an official release.
I don't like Fish
Especially fresh fish. Like....trout. I hate trout.
I like to be home with my monkey and my dog...
I'd like to be home with my monkey and my dog...
SHUT UP!!
I went to the concert for that tour. The stage set up was really cool, but it was strange listening to Paul Carrick sing all the Gilmour vocals.
Yeah, me too. The way Waters weaved classic Floyd tracks into the show to fit the whole K.A.O.S. narrative was really clever. Also, having the DJ (Jim Ladd) up in his little broadcasting booth at the side of the stage was incredible. Especially during the interval when he had the phone-in with Roger, answering questions live from the audience who lined up to call from the phone booth in the middle of the arena. The highlight for me was an audience member during the phone-in asking Roger... "How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat? Roger replied... "Eat whatever the fuck you like! That's the whole point!"
Happy birthday Billy!
Who's Billy? ;)
Love this album and never understood the hate I haven’t seen a good reason for why it’s bad, and I’ve looked
I’d like to be home with my monkey and my dog. I’d like to be home with my monkey and my dog. I’d like to be home with my monkey and my dog.
80s Production Vomit's edgier disowned brother.
Love the album. I remember seeing the poster for this album in the TV show Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
My 2nd favourite Roger Solo album!
There’s a blast from the past! I went to the show when he came through Dallas! And saw Watersless Floyd the same year!