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Joined: February 01 2011
Location: Michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 13056
Posted: July 27 2015 at 10:12
The thing about bands playing in the 80s, nearly everyone sounded like they were playing in the 80s, even the most important prog folk: Peter Gabriel (So, anyone?), Yes (Owner of a Wicked Fart), King Crimson (Discipline, their ode to Talking Heads), Marillion, Genesis, Tull, etc. Whether you appreciate 1980s sound/studio values is another question, but the conventional wisdom then was no one was going to sell an album in the 80s reduplicating exact 1960s psych or 1970s prog.
We look back in hindsight and denigrate the artists but I recall the pressure back then was immense to compete with the musical crap being spawned at the time. I am sure today we would have appreciated Ian Anderson having the balls to make another 45 minute-long album-stretching song in 1984 or Yes making a double album consisting of four 18 to 20 minute-long songs in 1987, but it would have been suicidal from a Billboard standpoint. The chance to gamble on such albums was a peculiar and wonderful aspect of the early 70s.
As I mentioned previously, Gilmour's About Face was an obvious and intended shift away from Pink Floyd (and I think Gilmour's collaboration with Pete Townshend, Love on the Air, was brilliant), whereas albums like A Momentary Lapse of Reason was a Pink Floyd knock-off and Roger Waters 80s releases following up the dreary Final Cut with more dreariness. I appreciate Gilmour's attempt.
Edited by The Dark Elf - July 27 2015 at 10:13
...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
Joined: April 29 2004
Location: Heart of Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 20240
Posted: July 27 2015 at 08:50
someone_else wrote:
progaardvark wrote:
I used to dismiss About Face many years ago. It had some good stuff, but I felt that some of the more radio-friendly brought the album down.
Nowadays I have found that this album has grown on me and I think my earlier dismissal was shortsighted. I actually like it better than his debut. And further, to put it into the context of what else was released at that time, the album is really one of very few shining lights amidst a sea of mediocrity.
I fully agree with this. 1984 was one of the poorest years.
Actually things got worse from 86 to 89 (and the 80's sounds as well)...
early in the decade, there were still some bands that resisted "going 80's" for a while
unfortunately Gilmour didn't (but Waters did IMHO, despite a weaker KAOS)... Not only for About Face, but especially for AMLOR. >> AMLOR is (sadly) the next Gilmour solo album!!
Guldbamsen wrote:
Sean Trane wrote:
Chris S wrote:
Sean Trane wrote:
SteveG wrote:
Gilmour's second solo album is awesome at times. I love the song Murder. What's your opinion of About Face?
Gilmour ran out of ideas with his first solo album, an the leftovers were used in The Wall)
AF is about the worst Floyd-alumni album ever recorded, riddled with awful 80's productions and idiotic Collins/EW&F brass)
Saw Gilmour on that tour (with Ralphs on guitar), but the concert was very average.
Come on Hughes...idiotic EW&F brass/Collins.....that stuff was brillianthas that 80's feel for sure.
1984 isn't exactly my favourite year when it comes to prog releases, but there were some absolute gems released that year (albums I'd pop on the ol stereo long before About Face).
Jean-Paul Prat - Masal
Marillion - Fugazi
Univers Zero - Uzed
Solaris - Marsbéli Krónikák
Los Jaivas - Obras de Violeta Parra
Cardiacs - The Seaside
News From Babel - Work Resumed On The Tower
Etron Fou Lebloulan - Les Sillons de la Terre
Yog Sothoth - s/t
Uppsala - s/t
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
I used to dismiss About Face many years ago. It had some good stuff, but I felt that some of the more radio-friendly brought the album down.
Nowadays I have found that this album has grown on me and I think my earlier dismissal was shortsighted. I actually like it better than his debut. And further, to put it into the context of what else was released at that time, the album is really one of very few shining lights amidst a sea of mediocrity.
I fully agree with this. 1984 was one of the poorest years.
Joined: June 14 2007
Location: Sea of Peas
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Points: 51058
Posted: July 27 2015 at 07:35
I used to dismiss About Face many years ago. It had some good stuff, but I felt that some of the more radio-friendly brought the album down.
Nowadays I have found that this album has grown on me and I think my earlier dismissal was shortsighted. I actually like it better than his debut. And further, to put it into the context of what else was released at that time, the album is really one of very few shining lights amidst a sea of mediocrity.
---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions
Joined: September 20 2010
Location: Serbia
Status: Offline
Points: 10213
Posted: July 27 2015 at 01:27
dr wu23 wrote:
The Dark Elf wrote:
SteveG wrote:
Gilmour's second solo album is awesome at times. I love the song Murder. What's your opinion of About Face?
"Murder" is the best post-Wall song of Floyd or any member of Floyd. I appreciate Gilmour not sticking with a formulaic regurgitation of the Floyd shtick, and presenting himself as an individual performer, which I think he did admirably on this album.
Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 65261
Posted: July 26 2015 at 18:37
DG is a very good guitar album and excellent first solo try. Waters has taken more chances and expanded his sound much more, so it depends what one responds to. If you like straight-forward, David Gilmour is a nice treat. Better? Hard to say.
"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy
Joined: August 22 2010
Location: Indiana
Status: Offline
Points: 20623
Posted: July 26 2015 at 12:17
Horizons wrote:
dr wu23 wrote:
IMO that best post Floyd song is this one.....
I actually just got this album and listened to it for the first time. Def a stand out track. Liked it a lot.
What are the thoughts on his debut?
I think it's the best solo thing by any of the Floyd members (can't stand most of Water's work,,,his voice is awful and his songs are too angst ridden for me.).....though from the other poll many like Barrett by Syd of course.
One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin
Either underrated or one of my guilty pleasures. This album has a lot of good songs to enjoy: Until We Sleep, Murder, Out of the Blue (my favourite), Let's Get Metaphysical and Near the End. And most of the others are enjoyable as well.
Joined: August 27 2014
Location: riding the MOAB
Status: Offline
Points: 1505
Posted: July 25 2015 at 18:50
Waters wanted to stick to the Floyd aesthetic by producing concept albums which rarely left any impact. Gilmour did more of what he wanted to do and I pride him for it.
Joined: August 22 2010
Location: Indiana
Status: Offline
Points: 20623
Posted: July 25 2015 at 15:22
The Dark Elf wrote:
SteveG wrote:
Gilmour's second solo album is awesome at times. I love the song Murder. What's your opinion of About Face?
"Murder" is the best post-Wall song of Floyd or any member of Floyd. I appreciate Gilmour not sticking with a formulaic regurgitation of the Floyd shtick, and presenting himself as an individual performer, which I think he did admirably on this album.
IMO that best post Floyd song is this one.....
One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin
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About Face: David Gilmour
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someone_else wrote:
>> AMLOR is (sadly) the next Gilmour solo album!! 
exactly what I meant!!! 
