IS THIS THE LIFE WE REALLY WANT?

Regarding message level, I will write down it this way. After several years of touring, promoting "The Wall" concept around the globe, as his crucial life achievement of music, words and stage presentation of human alienation and destroying differences, Roger Waters sublimed all those thoughts and emotions in this album, at the moment when all this negative connotations are before exploding, when planet society is breaking at the seams. You don't have to be English language born citizen to understand what is all about. The title says it all. Strongly, and direct. This album is a musical manifesto, a sad true of what we have became, the enemies to each others. And this is the voice of sanity, a call to each of us to come to our senses. Unfortunately, almost everybody who will be listening to this album already know that, through Mr. Waters work from Pink Floyd days, or through his solo career. So, probably it would be "nothing new under the sun", "nothing new on the west nor on the east". I think that impact of this record wouldn't be huge, but that doesn't decrease its value and effort to call for a better world.

And speaking of its music background and origins, I have a feeling that stylistically it is a directly linked to 1983 Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut" album, as a most similar. Or should I dare and say Roger Waters' 1983 "The Final Cut" album, because in reality it is so. I considered Pink Floyd's 1979 "The Wall" album one of the greatest studio recordings in rock history, and "The Final Cut" as a descendant to it. And now, a grown up and matured son of "The Final Cut" showed itself to the world. Many artists and bands made part 2, part 3, of their popular works, often only to gain attention of proven consumer of their albums. So, Roger Waters might titled this album as, for example, "The Final Cut, part 2", or "Return for Final Cut", or "Rebuilding the Wall" maybe? But he cleverly chose this echoing and asking title, directed to world leaders (explicitly addressed as "...with no f..king brains..."), and to each and everyone, in other words saying: "We all deserve much better than this!".

Listening to music itself, many particles of it is pulled from Pink Floyd and Roger Waters legacy, especially Pink Floyd's. Many text and music segments are reminiscences of some Pink Floyd's songs. The atmosphere is dark, songs flow in slow chords progression, most notably by using keyboards, and bass and drums rhythms, with sound effects connecting the songs in one great epic work. Here and there, some acoustic guitar, in Roger Waters' manner, and that is. I learned that producer of album, Nigel Godrich, a Radiohead producer, is responsible to this prog-pop sound (can't tell 'cause I'm not familiar with Radiohead at the moment), but sure is very significant to the album sound. It's evident that on this record there are no musicians that backed Roger through years on great world tours, so the aim to sound different is obvious. A dark world to live in, a dark record to listened to. No moments that lifts up your soul to higher levels, or moments that for just a second bring joy to your heart. And Roger Waters' voice? Extremely and amazingly good, confident and assuring in saying all that, "like in the good old days".

To extract some songs from album as good or bad, to point out to some as a highlight or unsuccessful, is no of any use. This is a whole, from start to finish. Mr. Waters reached strong artistic level, especially in words, backed by his most dark music. There is no "tear down the wall", no "the tide is turning", no "each small candle that lightened up the darkness". Only accusing question: is this the life we really want? To the shame of all those who are leading us to a dead end. Or in his words: "If I had been God / with my staff and my rod / if I had been given the nod / I believe I could have done a better job".

Album like this avoids "masterpiece" or "excellent addition" sticker, because it passes the boundaries of rock record. It is not just a progressive music record. It is art in action and in mission. So it makes no sense to recommend album to someone just because of music. Who likes Waters, sure will like this record, even it is different and dark. But this time, the point is to spread the word this music carries. Also, the album artwork is with the same intention, visually representing and suggesting that many people live a censored and badly directed life.

My rating is three and a half stars as a sign of addiction to Mr. Waters music, but rounded down, as a sign of emphasis on fact that music here is in second place compared to words.

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