What does it sound like?:
Almost ten years since his last solo outing, David Gilmour returns to the fray with his fourth studio album.
The overall feel of the album is as languid and laid back as you would expect, the trademark guitar is firmly in place and his voice seems as good as ever despite his now advancing years.
Whenever Gilmour is involved the inevitable comparison with Pink Floyd will arise, but this work bears much more resemblance to 2006’s On An Island than to last year’s posthumous Floyd release The Endless River.
The strongest piece here by far, A Boat Lies Waiting, is a tribute to the late lamented Richard Wright – music, lyrics, spoken samples all gel perfectly.
Other tracks cover ground as diverse as jazz influences all the way through to more ambient sounding instrumentals
Lyrically Polly Samson’s words can sometimes fail to hit the mark, but more often than not she manages to pitch it just right.
If there is a criticism, it is that some of the songs end just as they seem about to build up a head of steam and turn into something bigger and grander.
Overall though this is a very commendable effort, and fans of David Gilmour will lap it up.
What does it all *mean*?
As the years pass and heroes slowly begin to fade away, opportunities to hear new music from them (and see them live) must be grasped while they’re there.
Goes well with…
If you’re familiar with previous solo material, you’ll know what to expect from this and you won’t be disappointed.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Gilmour has been quoted as saying another album is already in the works, so hopefully there won’t be quite such a long wait for the next one, although it would come as no surprise to find a live recording from the current tour appearing in the meantime.
Cheers, I agree with your comment about ‘some of the songs end just as they seem about to build up a head of steam’ – thought that in particular on the ‘A Boat’ track that has a nice set up and then sails off into the distance.
I can’t help thinking that ‘Yellow Dress’ track is a stinker though
After just a few listens Girl In The Yellow Dress is an immediate favourite.
I’d say track 3 was my favourite – Faces Of Stone but also like the partially jazzy Dancing Right In Front Of Me
It’s pleasant enough but not very thrilling. However, reviews of his concerts make me wish I’d bought a ticket.
Mr Jung.
Will be cashing in my spare later, unless you want it?
I agree Neil – I listened through once on Spotify earlier this week and was very disappointed. Started promisingly with that nice little instrumental 5am but then, apart from Boat Lies Waiting, it was very ordinary and dare I say drab. Not something I would ever have contemplated saying about Dave Gilmour or any member of the Floyd
Sadly I couldn’t go tonight, I’m picking my eldest up later after they get nearly home from seeing Florence and The Machine.
I hope you were able to get a refund or sell it outside, and more importantly enjoyed the concert. The reviews were glowing.
If you’d like a listen to what the shows sound like – Brighton 2015 3 source mix is ace
http://www.guitars101.com/forums/f145/david-gilmour-2015-09-05-brighton-england-flac-aud-3-source-mtx-206143.html
Having just relistened to the album again, it does seem to have something of an 80’s feel at times, sort of Bryan Ferry circa Boys and Girls.
It’s dull.
i couldn’t make it past the first few tracks. i love DG’s playing, which IS fantastic on this record, but it doesn’t make up for the desperately dull songs.
very disappointing, but i’ll be attempting giving it another listen at some point.
David’s Mark (dull) Knopfler album. I do hope he makes his David Gilmour (1st album) again some day or A Momentary Lapse. This album’s as bad as About Face. but in a different fashion.
Did anyone catch DG on Later ? I thought the title track came across much better live than on record although he really should never play the Girl in The Yellow Dress song ever again – its truly dreadful cod cocktail jazz.
Overall a really good show – The Libertines were impressively shambolic but somehow together at the same time; some mad group from Uzbekistan (I think) – well worth a look; Nathaniel thingy doing his roots good time music; a pretty good ‘nu soul’ act – Wkend ? plus Georgie Fame . So something for everyone really – its easy to knock Jools but it remains a musical oasis on mainstream telly
Quite agree with The Girl In The Yellow Dress – terrible. Thought Rattle That Lock quite ploddy too though.