THE DIVISION BELL

While I hope for a new Pink Floyd album one of these days, at the same time I hold my reservations. How disappointing would it be to have a reunion and new album by the masters of emotional psychedelia only to have it to fall flat? In my mind, such an occurrence is incredibly unlikely, not only because I love just about everything the Floyd have put on tape, but because I believe a reunion is unlikely. But in that rare chance, I pray whatever incarnation of Pink Floyd that might happen to reconvene would not upset the legacy left by The Division Bell.

Trying to pinpoint why I love this album so much is difficult, and I probably won't effectively do so now. It feels similar in form to a Momentary Lapse of Reason, but with less of an Eighties sound and much better all-round songwriting. Whereas an album like Dark Side of the Moon is spacey in an otherworldly, isolated way, the Division Bell spacey in an intimate, almost earthly way. I might imagine space travel when listening to A Saucerful of Secrets, but with The Division Bell, I imagine a drive through endless plains on a brilliant summer day, with the sky the most comforting shade of blue.

The Division Bell is nearly a masterpiece and it holds some of the best songs in the Floyd canon. "Cluster One" might be my favorite, and it currently competes with "Marooned" off this very same album for the honor of most pleasant and peaceful Floyd instrumental. The album closer, "Sorrow," is another favorite, with such a distinctive piano melody that you'll never forget after hearing it. Suffice to say that I like every song on this album. "Loss for Words" is separated from the rest of Pink Floyd's work by being mixing in a countryish Neil Young feeling.

The Division Bell is an excellent album to end a career on, but I hope Pink Floyd will surprise me with a return to form that meets or surpasses this album in brilliance.

4.5/5 stars.

Share this PINK FLOYD review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to stonebeard
• Report this review (#122811)
• Buy PINK FLOYD music online with PA partners
• Show all PINK FLOYD MP3/Stream
• Go to PINK FLOYD page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to The Division Bell page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PINK FLOYD related discussions