Oh, by the Way (Mini LP Replica) [Box set, Original recording remastered, Limited Edition]

I could not afford this box set when it first appeared in December 2007, and judging by some of the harsh reviews from that period, it appears I had a lucky escape!
Now nearly two years later, after reading many more positive appraisals, I have decided to take the plunge.
And what a thing of great joy this beast is, having been given a complete overhaul.
So what have EMI done to redeem themselves after the near disaster of the original release?
Firstly the alleged dodgy printing on certain sleeves has been corrected, as have the labels for "Ummagumma", i.e. disc one now has label one and disc two label two.
All gatefold sleeves are properly aligned, and the outer black plastic sleeve for "Wish You Were Here" has been changed. No longer does one have to ruin it by slicing it open down the side. Simply lift the resealable flap, and withdraw the album that way!
Finally, the inner sleeve of "The Wall" disc two has been corrected, so both sets of lyrics are present and correct.
Unfortunately all albums from "Piper" to "Moon" still come with these horrible thin plastic sleeves. CD paper sleeves are available, and it's a mystery as to why EMI did not use these.
The set also includes two items that are best described as either being oversized drinks coasters or undersized mouse mats! These feature the photos from the outer slipcase.
Also included is a giant full colour paper poster featuring all the albums, plus other artwork associated with Pink Floyd.
No sign of the `linen' poster, and can anyone confirm whether or not there was a documentary DVD with the original and/or any other large stickers or is my memory playing tricks?
Although the overall construction of the replica sleeves is still some way off the perfection displayed by those in the recent Beatles mono albums box set, I would have no hesitation in recommending this collection to any Floyd head, particularly given the fact that plans to issue the albums in their replica sleeves separately have now reportedly been shelved.

Ignore the negative reviews for this item. I had allowed myself to be dissuaded from buying this wonderful boxed set after reading all those whingeing complaints about poor packaging, no new remastering, EMI's rip-off of the fans and so on. However, when I was able to secure a copy for around £75 (I admit that the RRP is rather steep), I realised just how misled I'd been. As a dedicated Floyd fan since the beginning of time, this is just about the most treasured item I can think of. The albums certainly ARE remastered, at least when compared to my original CD versions from the mid-80s, and it is the kind of remastering that really helps, not the overdone "everything switched to 11 on the monitor" type of remastering that you so often get these days. (Yes, Led Zeppelin and Genesis boxed sets, I mean you.)

As for the packaging, well, these replicas sleeves are an utter joy to behold. I can find none of the misaligned printing, or faulty lyrics on inner sleeves, or any of the other details that others have quibbled over. And the accompanying poster is a sheer delight. What better overview could there be of the Floyd's relationship with Hipgnosis than this?

Ignore the nay-sayers. If you can track down a discounted set, whether you already have these albums or not, I would urge you to take the Pink Floyd plunge. You won't regret it.

That Pink Floyd were/are one of the greatest rock bands ever I don't seriously think anyone could dispute.

Nor do I think this box set is awful; in fact, most of the albums in it are brilliant!

However, and it is a big "however", Pink Floyd were about the music and this box set seems to be more about the packaging.

No remastering.
No rare tracks.
No enhanced audio (why no SACD/DVD-A content? I know these formats aren't exactly runaway successes but it still would add a valid reason to buy the box set)

So once I've put the disc in my player and I'm lost in "Wish You Were Here" there is no difference to just buying the albums. Which I have already done a couple of times.

As a way of purchasing all the albums it probably works out a similar price to buying them individually so to sum it up:-

If you want to buy the Pink Floyd albums and you haven't got them already, BUY THIS! You won't be disappointed.

If you have all the remastered albums, I wouldn't bother.