LUCK AND STRANGE

I have mixed impressions from the first listens of this album. Yes, I like it. I can listen to the whole even 3-4 times in a row, but this is Mr Gilmour and I'm used to have a lot of expectations. Compared to Rattle and Lock, I'm happy that he has avoided the use of disco remixes of the main tracks as fillers. The original Barn Jam from which Luck and Strange has been derived is really better than a DJ manipulation.

The goods: as everybody can expect, there are the high-standard guitar solos, in particular the electric part of Scattered. Romany has a fantastic voice, and Between Two Points in my opinion is the best track of the whole album. This is also a weakness: when the best track of an album made of originals is the only one cover, maybe something didn't work perfectly with the songwriting. On the other hand, also There's No Way Out Of Here is a cover and the best song of David's debut album, so let's forget the cover thing.

David's voice is still good but of course is not the same as when he sung Blue Light. And this is another point: there's too few rock. I love his guitar driven blues ballads, the album is grown rapidly on me, but an occasional listener could find it a little boring. Of course, now we are speaking of an old family man at what will likely be his retirement tour, but who was capable of Run Like Hell and Blue Light, could have added some heavier "interrupts" in the middle of the album.

Anyway, if an album like this was released by any other artist I would likely have call it "a masterpiece", but I can't do it on this one basing of my long time Floyd fan expectations.

Does it deserve to be listened? Yes Is it better than Rattle and Lock? I think yes Is it a masterpiece? No

Are there bad tracks? Absolutely not

I would have given more space to Romany. She's not a surprise, as we have heard her previously on Yes, I have Ghosts. I sincerely hope to see a future album by Romany Gilmour featuring Dave on guitars. A little mention for Polly Samson: I think she's a great lyricist.

Now the stars rating: I'm between 3 and 4. I go with 4 as "prize" for the career.