A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON

After the disastrous "Final Cut", three members of the band could not cope any longer with the fourth one. So, exit Roger. This is a sad story but Pink Floyd has had very little personnel changes throughout the years. I guess that living and working with Roger was not possible any longer, so either he had to do the Floyd on his own or the other three would have to take over. The latter option prevailed.

The former Floyd album was a Waters'one. This is a Gilmour's one. He is now in the command. To replace Roger, Tony Levin will deliver a very good work on the bass (but not in songwritting, obviously).

"Signs Of Live" is a clone of the intro for "Shine" ? So, what ! Both are great tracks. It has the same aerial feeling. Of course, the emotional side (Syd tribute) is not present here but musically it is a good opener. "Learning To Fly" is also very pleasant : a bit harder but melodious. I quite like the chorus (good backing vocals). Altough it will be a trademark of this Floyd era it was already usual before. This is quite a traditional Floyd song : no revolution. Spacey moment, some special effets (as far as I remember such were also used in DSOTM) and a catchy voice. "The Dogs Of War" is a heavier than usual. Lots of backing vocals, an orgy of keys and a great guitar & sax solo. It lacks of melodious moments though and it is not really my fave here.

"One Slip" will be the third single released from the album and is a nice pop song. This shows significantly the change in direction. Not great a moment but just an average one. "On The Turning Away" starts mellow and acoustic, then the rythm catches up (slowly) and features great guitar from Dave (but we are used to this since "Echoes" (the track). A great song IMO and a highlight on this album. It sounds as if the band has encountered relief. They could again concentrate on their music and their fabulous shows.

The album goes on nicely : "Yet Another Movie + Round And Around" has a spacey intro and a bizarre atmosphere : it catches up around minute four. We are not reaching heaven of course with this number. Just average.

The first and useless tracks are "A New Machine-Part One & Two". Part I is one the shortest Floyd track ever (only topped by "Stop" from "The Wall" (38 seconds vs 34) ! If we add them we reach 2'24. But that's not too much of useless music. One might argue that there are very few truely memorable tracks, and that the album is rather repetitive and monotonuous which in a way is true. But this album is very consistent and solid.

"Terminal Frost" is an average instrumental with very good sax (sounds a bit like Roxy). "Sorrow" is a fabulous closing number. Harder, melodious, good backing vocals. The band is again confident in his own means (even if at this stage David is holding the Floyd almost on his own). Nick and Wright will grow back in the Floyd during the supporting tour. But that's another story.

His Royal Highness Roger is not there any longer to show disrespect (especially to Nick and Rick). This album will reach the number three spot both in the US and in the UK.

Since I have mentioned several times the word average or good; it is obvious that we are not listening to a masterpiece. But the Floyd has stopped its descent towards the inmost dephts of the void. Three stars and welcome to the new Floyd.