Roger Waters - The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (Harvest 1984) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

When dissected carefully, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking becomes a fascinating conceptual voyage into the workings of the human psyche. As an abstract peering into the intricate functions of the subconscious, Waters' first solo album involves numerous dream sequences that both figuratively and symbolically unravel his struggle with marriage, fidelity, commitment, and age at the height of a midlife crisis. While the songs (titled by the times in which Waters experiences each dream) seem to lack in musical fluidity at certain points, they make up for it with ingenious symbolism and his brilliant use of stream of consciousness within a subconscious realm. Outside from the deep but sometimes patchy narrative framework, the music slightly lacks in rhythm or hooks, except for the title track that includes some attractive guitar playing via Eric Clapton. David Sanborn's saxophone is another attribute, adding some life to "Go Fishing" and "The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking."

But it's truly the imagery and the visual design of the album that is front and centre, since the importance lies in what Waters is trying to get across to the audience, decorated somewhat casually by his singing and the music.
With Pink Floyd, the marriage of Waters' concepts and ideas with the talented musicianship of the rest of the band presented a complete masterpiece in both thought and music, while his solo efforts lean more toward the conceptual aspects of his work. With this in mind, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking continues to showcase Waters' unprecedented knack of addressing his darkest thoughts and conceptions in a most extraordinary fashion. Mike DeGagne AMG

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To which I add:
If you are an old Floyd fan from back in the day, this might merely grate - until you realize, finally, that this is of course NOT a Floyd album and never could be - it's too personal. It bears only the most superficial similarities to their later works, like 'The Wall'. Though there are at least two mischievous musical references to that very work contained within this album, enough to let you know that Waters' sense of humour is not entirely absent from proceedings, but this is in every other respect entirely Waters' own creation.

Musically the album fails to reach any real heights, and for my money Clapton is merely trying to emulate Gilmour on his guitar parts (err, no surprise there then, eh?) and Sanborn is just earning a nice California-based payday. The rest of the assembled crew seem to be there more for a name-checking exercise than any real contribution but that is to miss the point of the album - which is more of a life-travelogue than a piece of music. Although technically it's hard to imagine how it could be better, the real art in appreciating this album appears to be mostly non-musical.

Because the 'Floyd' enjoyed such international superstardom, it's a bit of a jolt to realize just quite how upper-middle class English they all were. This album makes no apologies in that direction! There is also a nagging feeling that Waters is labouring under the misapprehension that anyone should give a stuff about what happens in his life beyond the music he creates, and yet 'Hitch Hiking' is not an autobiography as such, and more, it's an interesting listen - perhaps because nobody other than Waters would have quite the chutzpah to do it with a straight face.

I came to this album a good quarter century after it was made… and maybe that was perfect timing. I rather like it now.

As usual I put my best efforts into presenting this as faithfully as possible. Hope you like it. Enjoy responsibly!
Euripides Jan 2011

Many thanks to 'Euripides' for this rip.

Track listing:

01 Apparently They Were Traveling Abroad (4:30)

02 Running Shoes (4:33)

03 Arabs With Knives And West German Skies (4:37)

04 For The First Time Today - Part 2 (4:39)

05 Sexual Revolution (4:41)

06 The Remains Of Our Love (4:47)

07 Go Fishing (4:50)

08 For The First Time Today - Part 1 (4:56)

09 Dunroamin, Duncarin, Dunlivin (4:58)

10 The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking - Part 10 (5:01)

11 Every Strangers Eyes (5:06)

12 The Moment Of Clarity (5:11)

Participants:
Artwork By - Gerald Scarfe
Backing Vocals - Doreen Chanter, Katie Kissoon, Madeline Bell
Drums - Andy Newmark
Electric Guitar - Eric Clapton
Engineer - Andy Jackson
Engineer [Assistant] - Laura Boisan
Guitar [12-string] - Andy Bown
Horns - Kevin Flanagan, Raphael Ravenscroft, Vic Sullivan
Mastered By - Doug Sax, Mike Reese
Orchestra - National Philharmonic Orchestra, The
Organ [Hammond] - Andy Bown
Other [Holophonics] - Zuccarelli Labs Ltd
Other [Project Coordinator] - Artful Dodgers, The
Other [Sfx Boffin] - Michael King
Percussion - Ray Cooper
Photography - Alex Henderson
Piano, Conductor, Producer, Arranged By - Michael Kamen
Saxophone - David Sanborn
Vocals, Bass Guitar, Guitar [Rhythm], Producer, Written-by, Artwork By - Roger Waters
Voice Actor [Hells Angel's Girlfriend] - Madeline Bell
Voice Actor [Hells Angel] - Jack Palance
Voice Actor [Hitch Hiker & Waitress] - Cherry Vanilla
Voice Actor [Man] - Roger Waters
Voice Actor [Truck Drivers] - Ed Bishop, Manning Redwood
Voice Actor [Welshman In Operating Theatre] - Andy Quigley
Voice Actor [Wife] - Beth Porter