IS THIS THE LIFE WE REALLY WANT?

Listening to Roger Waters' music is often stressful, whether it is something to do with the ominous chord progressions or just past experience its generally not too long before something blows up. In stereo and now in HiRes.

Thankfully there are just two loud bangs in this new work but that doesn't mean it isn't a stressful album. Is it me or this guy truly pissed off... with everybody and about everything? On the plus side, the use of keyboards which has been lacking from the earlier solo albums means in many ways that this album is closer to The Final Cut which should please Floyd fans.

The use of field recordings including the Speaking Clock, Shipping Forecast, BBC Continuity Announcers, Post Office Counter and even the Tube are surprisingly not irritating. In fact they provide a reassuring "homeliness" that counterbalances some of the more disturbing musical content.

What this adds up to is an album that is at once hard to listen to and utterly engaging and unstoppable when you do. It is an album that ought not to work - the ravings and droolings of a very cross man - but works brilliantly. Utterly superb.

Share this ROGER WATERS review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to moulsham
• Report this review (#1730857)
• Buy ROGER WATERS music online with PA partners
• Show all ROGER WATERS MP3/Stream
• Go to ROGER WATERS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Is This the Life We Really Want? page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for ROGER WATERS related discussions