THE ENDLESS RIVER

Hm...Pink Floyd released a new album? That sounds like a dream I had. In fact, I did have a dream like that a few months before they announced the new album called "The Endless River". Floyd, needing no introduction, is the epitome of classic rock and even prog, for some of us. They have a sound that never gets old, truly. How does their first album in 20 years fare, however? Can these old geezers pull one more trick out of their bag?

Yes. Yes, they can. With Richard Wright's death a few years ago, one would have expected nothing further from the great Floyd. Yet, Gilmour and Mason gave it a go. Maybe they were paid a bunch of cash by a desperate label. Maybe they truly wanted to make a bookend to their legendary career. Or, just maybe, they wanted to pay tribute to their dear friend. After hearing "The Endless River", I have to go with the latter. This swan song for Pink Floyd is also a beautiful, ethereal tribute to Wright, possibly the most important part of the band, really.

And it's instrumental, save the final track. To me, that takes balls. If Floyd really wanted to cash in, they would have written songs close to "Money" or, perhaps, "Another Brick in the Wall". But they didn't. They pieced together keyboards written and played by Wright, and wrote some great pieces to make a giant puzzle that fits together very well. It flows so well, and emotes so well, too. The feelings of hope and unity for humanity are no mistake here.

Indeed, "The Endless River" is a beautiful, ambient album that I am so glad was released. It isn't "Wish You Were Here". It isn't even "A Momentary Lapse of Reason". It is, however, a fitting end to a great legend. Do I miss the vocals? Sure. Do I think it will be a legendary album? Not really. Is it worth hearing, sharing, and even owning? Absolutely.