THE DIVISION BELL

When I first heard of this album, I didn't understand that it was done without Roger Waters, as I myself am a fairly new Pink Floyd fan. However, once I learned that this album was in fact done without Roger's trademark lyrics and vocals, it made me wonder if it could be as good as anything that Waters did for the band in the past. After all, Gilmour is a master guitarist and composer, but his lyrics are not nearly as thought-provoking as Waters' words.

So I decided I would risk it and pick this album up. I went by my local record store, found a cd of it on sale, bought it, left, popped it in my cd player in the car and listened to it on the way back home. What I discovered was that not only did I gind this album very enjoyable, but in fact it has quickly become one of my favorite Pink Floyd albums ever.

The first track, "Cluster One", is an atmospheric, melodic ambience with haunting keyboards by Rick Wright, and although it doesn't automatically bring the classic sound of Pink Floyd to mind, it is a breath of fresh air, and a very beautiful track.

The second song is "What do you Want from Me". Not a track I personally care for, but maybe it needs to grow on me some more. The lyrics are a little too straightforward for my taste, but the genious of Gilmour is definately present.

"Poles Apart". Wow, what a beautiful song. It starts out with fantastic acoustic-style rythm guitar, with a bit of organ in the background. This upbeat tune continues as we hear Gilmour's powerfull vocals thunder out the words. These lyrics are very impressive to Gilmour's credit, and I enjoy this song thoroughly. The lyrics speak of lost friends, missed opprotunities, and the suprising outcome of how things turned out in the end for Gilmour. Syd Barret is referred to in here, as well as Roger Waters. Very fine songwriting and composing. One of the best tracks on the album in my opinion.

Now here is when we come to a very prominant part of the album. This instrumental track "Marooned" is without a doubt, a Pink Floyd masterpiece. It starts out with one of the most ingenious openings to any piece of music I have ever heard. It only gets better from there. Soon, the atmospherical tunes in the distance come out full force, and then Wright's stark abilities on keyboard shine on as a piano backdrop for Gilmour's masterfull guitar work.

"A Great Day For Freedom" follows as a touching and hard hitting ballad that sends shivers down my spine everytime I hear the chorus. The lyrics speak of the fall of the Berlin wall, but could also be speaking about the final time when Waters was actually a part of Pink Floyd's power. The beggining lyrics are; "On the day The Wall came down . . . "

Rick Wright sing as lead vocalist for the next song. "Wearing the Inside Out" has to be among my least favorites on this album, just because it feels too out of place when listening to the album as a whole. It has a very bluesy-jazzy sound that doesn't appeal to me. Too much saxaphone, and not enough creativity. However Mason's crisp drumming on this track take me back to the "DSotM" days, and that's always a good thing.

"Take It Back" starts off like a bad pop song you would hear on the radio, but soons takes shape of it's own, and certainly stands out for it's use of the exotic instrument sounds. The beat, pace and somewhat limited tune of this one doesn't really sound like Pink Floyd, however, and is not a track that I play through all the time.

David Gilmour wrote this song for his wife supposedly, but it is simply beautiful regardless of what the lyrics are speaking of. It really relates to anyone who feels like a new reason to stay alive has arrived in their life, and a great song to listen to when you need some encouraging words. A very uplifting, yet melancholy sounding song at first, then it springs to life with very dynamic drum beats by Mason. However, if the song had remained moody and melodic throughout the entire song rather than just for the first part of it, I may enjoy it more. Nevertheless, it is a very fun song to listen to. Just don't expect a progressive rock experience with this song, it's a pop song, nothing more.

"Keep Talking" has been getting a few bashings from other reviewers here, but I honestly find it one of the most truly progressive songs on this album. It's beautiful opening takes you away from reality very quickly, then the dynamic bass line that follows reminds me of the stuff that Waters would do. Then there is Gilmour's voice. His vocals on this song sound very traditional Pink Floyd, and adds that much more nostalgia to the listening experience. What makes this song less powerfull is the absolutely ridiculous background singers. They don't need to be there, and if the song were without them, it would be even better than it is now. However it's still one of my favorites on the album, and could have possibly been the best track on the cd.

"Lost For Words" starts out with the sound of a door slamming, and then what follows is a sap song about Waters' leaving the band, and not only are the lyrics too straightforward, but the tune is too southern rock. Don't get me wrong, southers rock is great, but it's not Pink Floyd.

Now we come to the greatest song on this album: "High Hopes". This song has already become a must-listen for me, and It's definately a must-listen for anyone who wants a good example of what Pink Floyd is all about. This track truly captures what Pink Floyd has done over the years, and presents it all as a hybrid masterpiece that suprised me more than any other track on the album. The chorus tune already sounds like it has been in my head for years, and there it will remain among the other Pink Floyd greats such as "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".

In the end, this album suprised me in ways I wasn't ready for. I didn't think these guys could pull off a worthy successor to "The Wall" without Waters, but they did, and I am very pleased with the outcome. Sure, some songs sound a little too close to pop ballads for comfort, but for the most part, this album is full of Pink Floyd gems. That makes this album a true masterpiece that no Pink Floyd fan should be without.