Pulse (stylised as p·u·l·s·e) is a livedouble album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd. It was originally released on 29 May 1995, on the label EMI in the United Kingdom and on 6 June 1995 by Columbia in the United States.[3]
The album was recorded during the band's Division Bell Tour in 1994, specifically the UK and European leg, which ran from July to October 1994.
Content and recording
The album includes a complete live version of The Dark Side of the Moon and features a booklet with many photographs from performances on this tour. It also features "Astronomy Domine", a Syd Barrett song not performed since the early 1970s.
Unlike Delicate Sound of Thunder, David Gilmour and record producer James Guthrie have stated that no parts of the songs were re-recorded in the studio (James Guthrie confirmed this in an interview with Pink Floyd fanzine Brain Damage). However, the band and Guthrie fixed songs that had bad notes (as heard on some bootlegs) by lifting solos and corrected vocal lines from other performances as the band recorded most of the European leg. The CD claimed that it was mixed in "Q Sound" which produces a 3D audio effect even on a two channel stereo system.
On 10 July 2006, the Pulse DVD was released of the concert performed on 20 October 1994, at Earls Court, London. The video version also featured the song "Take It Back," and an almost complete performance from their 20 October show at Earl's Court, London.[citation needed]
The vinyl version was released as a four-LP box set and included "One of These Days" (also heard on the cassette release) as well as a large version of the photo booklet.
The original CD cover features an "eye-like" machine that has clock pieces inside, there is a planet in its centre, and on the outside it shows evolution as it moves backwards. It starts in the sea, moves to the bacteria which evolve into fishes, then into egg type creatures, then into eggs that hatch birds, and birds follow the trail of an aeroplane. There are six pyramids in the desert, and in the bottom of the sea, one can observe a city in the shore.
LED packaging
Early CD versions came with a blinking red LED on the side of the case. This was designed by EMI contractor Jon Kempner, who was awarded the platinum disc, using the now discontinued LM3909 LED flasher IC. The circuit was powered by a single AA battery; the battery life was stated to be over six months. Some versions were also made with 2 AA batteries and later editions of the CD set did not feature the blinking LED.
"Essentially, it's a device which we thought was entertaining. It's an idea of Storm Thorgerson's which related to Dark Side and the pulse, and it's a live album so the box is "alive". After that, in terms of seriously deep meanings, one might be struggling a bit."
The debut of the album was highlighted by a light show from the top of the Empire State Building in New York City with music simulcasted on a New York City radio station.
The outer packaging for Pulse with the light compartment and holder removed and on top.
The blinking light compartment (2 AA version) from an original Pulse release with batteries removed.
The battery warning sticker that was on the inside of the packaging. Light still works as of December 2012.