Saturday, March 7, 2020

Pink Floyd - Oh, by the Way (Box Set) (2007) | Album Review, Fun Facts & Trivia

Pink Floyd - Oh, by the Way (Box Set) (2007)

Front and back album image covers

Pink Floyd – Oh, by the Way (Box Set) (2007)

The Complete Studio Albums Collection (1967–1994)

Released on December 10, 2007, Oh, by the Way is a comprehensive Pink Floyd box set containing all 14 studio albums released by the band from 1967 to 1994. Issued to commemorate the band’s 40th anniversary, this collection brought together their entire core studio catalog in one beautifully designed package.

Unlike the 1992 Shine On box set, which focused mainly on the band’s classic era, Oh, by the Way presents the complete studio journey — from the Syd Barrett psychedelic beginnings to the David Gilmour-led final studio era.

Box Set Overview

Artist: Pink Floyd
Title: Oh, by the Way
Release Date: December 10, 2007
Format: 16 CDs (14 studio albums; The Wall included as 2 discs)
Label: EMI (UK), Capitol (US)
Total Albums Included: 14
Time Span Covered: 1967–1994

Albums Included in the Box Set

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
More (1969)
Ummagumma (1969)
Atom Heart Mother (1970)
Meddle (1971)
Obscured by Clouds (1972)
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Wish You Were Here (1975)
Animals (1977)
The Wall (1979) – 2 CDs
The Final Cut (1983)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
The Division Bell (1994)

This marks the first time all Pink Floyd studio albums were presented together in one official box set.

Packaging & Presentation

One of the standout features of Oh, by the Way is its thoughtful design:

Each album housed in mini-LP replica sleeves
Original artwork faithfully reproduced
CD discs designed to mimic original vinyl labels
Compact slipcase housing all albums

The packaging pays tribute to Pink Floyd’s rich visual identity, originally crafted by Hipgnosis and Storm Thorgerson.

Remastering & Sound Quality

The CDs included in this set use the standard remasters available at the time (primarily 1990s Doug Sax and James Guthrie remasters).

It does not contain new remixes or expanded editions. Later releases (such as the 2011 “Discovery” remasters) updated the audio further.

While not sonically groundbreaking compared to later remasters, the sound quality remains strong and consistent.

Commercial Performance & Sales

As a premium collector’s box set:

Sold strongly among collectors and longtime fans
Popular during the 2007 holiday season
Became a sought-after item for Pink Floyd completists
Frequently reissued due to steady demand

Though not a chart-topping release, it remains one of the most comprehensive classic rock box sets available.

Critical Reception & Ratings

Reception was generally positive:

Praised for completeness
Applauded for packaging quality
Criticized slightly for lack of new remastering or bonus content

Retrospective View

Fans consider it:

A great entry point for newcomers
An attractive collector’s display piece
Less essential for those who already owned individual albums

Fun Facts & Trivia

🎵 Did You Know?

The title Oh, by the Way references a lyric from “Have a Cigar.”
It was released the same year Pink Floyd reunited for Live 8 (2005 reunion had renewed interest).
Unlike Shine On (1992), this set includes every studio album without omission.
The set excludes live albums, compilations, and archival releases.
It was later superseded by the 2011 “Discovery” box set, which featured new remasters.

Comparison to Other Pink Floyd Box Sets

Box Set	Year	Focus
Shine On	1992	Classic era highlights
Oh, by the Way	2007	Complete studio albums
Discovery	2011	Remastered studio catalog
The Early Years	2016	Archival material (1965–72)