A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON

Was this album just a Momentary Lapse of Reason? This reviewer thinks so. In 1983, the internal disintegration of Pink Floyd saw the end of Roger Waters' collaborations with the group, and in the years between 1983-1987 many fans wondered what was going to happen to the group. After a pressing legal suit, David Gilmour and Nick Mason were granted use of the Pink Floyd name, much to Roger Waters' bitterness. In 1987, David Gilmour and Nick Mason released A Momentary Lapse of Reason, and it just shows that without Roger Waters Pink Floyd could not function as a group. Although Richard Wright was on the album, he wasn't granted status as a full member of the group (he was still a hired gun for the album). On this album is a slew of studio musicians, writers, lyricists, etc. who try to help Gilmour and Mason out all along the way. But from the very beginning, one can tell that this album could have used a lot of refinement, as it completely changes the Pink Floyd sound into a more commercial, arena rock approach. Not saying that this album has no strengths, though, it's just very weakl in comparison to other Floyd works.

Signs of Life is the opening instrumental, and what it mainly is is a solo spot for David Gilmour (as it a lot of the album). It's not a terribly strong instrumental, but it gets its point across and it is effective. Learning to Fly is the most popular song on the album, with an uplifiting guitar riff and a catchy chorus. Easily the best song on the album in my opinion. Dogs of War is consistently voted as the worst Pink Floyd song ever, and I can see where those who say that are coming from. Bland synths, bland vocals, bland lyrics, this song is just terribly bland, and it drags a lot. One Slip is a song about (from what I can grasp) teenage pregnancy or some unexpected pregnancy. The chorus is catchy and hooks you in. On the Turning Away is another one of the stronger songs on the album. More great guitar work from Gilmour and some nice work from Tony Levin on this track. Yet Another Movie/Round and Round is a segue track that isn't anything particularly special. Just noodling and bland/generic lyrics and vocals.

A New Machine, pt. 1 is a perfect example of filler. It has no real significance being split into two parts and it only acts as a weak intro to Terminal Frost, which is a strong instrumental which has some more great guitar work from Gilmour. A New Machine, pt. 2 is the same as part 1, bland and a perfect example of filler. Sorrow ends the album, and it begins with a lot of guitar noodling from Gilmour, more filler I feel. The song is often revered highly by fans as the best song on this album. I like the song, but I'm just not impressed by it. I really do like Tony Levin's work on it, though.

Overall, this album isn't terribly bad... but it isn't really that good. There's just a lot of weak material on this album, more weak than strong. If Gilmour had spent more time with his team of collaborators and writers refining the songs on this album, then maybe this wouldn't have been a disappointment in my eyes. A Momentary Lapse of Reason for Pink Floyd? So thinks this reviewer. 2.5/5.