What does it sound like?:
By now most of us will have formed their own view on this final ‘new’ offering, intended as a tribute to the late Rick Wright and compiled in the main from leftovers from the Division Bell sessions. A little disappointing on first listen, this is an album that improves with repeated listening as some familiar themes begin to emerge – a keyboard motif a la Shine On, guitar work reminiscent of Dogs, a hint of One of These Days. The closing Louder Than Words works better when heard as the concluding part of the album rather than as a stand alone piece.
What does it all *mean*?
The Dvd disc features a number of other bits and pieces, of which the rockier sound of Nervana fares best, the rest being fairly disposable – which is maybe why they were left unused.
Goes well with…
Is this up there with the classic Floyd albums of the 70’s – no, but it’s not a bad way to bid farewell.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Probably not an album you’ll keep returning to as you would with DSOTM or WYWH, but still worth adding to the collection overall.
Definitely needs a few listens but quite enjoy it now – not one you’d recommend for a new fan, but I like the way it references back to pre RW ranting Floyd era
Crap cover through..
I love Autumn 68, which from what I can gather (partly through a conversation with arch wikipedia-sit and sometime Floyd-related author Andy Mabbett) includes RW playing the organ at the RAH during a soundcheck. It’s really rather lovely. In general, the album is pretty good, though I think Louder than Words is actually redundant in the context of the rest of it.
Hang on…did you say, Clem “H” Fandango?
It was Equitys idea
Oh god, that cover… So awful…
I found that putting it on in the background while I did something else and letting it gradually seep in, rather than making a bit to do about it and expecting it to be the second coming was a good way to do it. I had aprehensions about the one piano piece they previewed before the album; it sounded like pure cheese. As Anisina, the intro is still not great – a bit Enya, a bit Clayderman – but with the other instruments on top, it’s greatly improved.
It’s not their best, but as a coda, it’s rather a nice way, gentle way to let them go on their way.
The DVD/Blu Ray also omits the cheesy sax on Anisina, which is a blessing.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed it. The less I have to listen to their insufferable lyrics the better! It took me back to Obscured By Clouds, which is no bad thing.
Tiggs! Hello old friend! The arse formely known as Stng Ono here. My enjoyment at being back is compounded by seeing you favourably review a Floyd album. And my first missive chez our new home is to totally agree with you. Obscured By Clouds is where it took me back to. Of course there are references to all stages of their career, but it does sit very nicely alongside Obscured.
I think it’s an amazing album (easily the best I’ve heard from 2014) and a fan’s delight. As good as Dark Side or WYWH? No. But as good as Obscured, Atom Heart Mother, and Meddle. And who expected that? Finally we have something that sounds like a Pink Floyd album, as opposed to the Waters or Gilmour albums that we’ve had since WYWH.
Hello Gary. Your post has left me feeling dizzy. One thing I will admit to is really loving Meddle. Burt improved it immensely by cutting out the dog howling and replacing it with Embryo from Works. Try it. Such a simple little manoeuvre makes a good album great.
MrsD got me the vinyl version for Christmas on the strength of hearing the vocal track and knowing I really liked the last David gilmour cd I suspect. It’s packaged very nicely even if the run outs take up more space than the music. We found it a bit dull so haven’t played it much but you’ve inspired me to give it another go.
It’s better than The Final Cut
I’m a bit of a sucker for playlists these days. And my Floyd playlist (which gets a lot of plays chez my house where I do live) begins with Embryo, followed by selections from (in order) More, Saucerful, Obscured, Endless River, AHM and Meddle.
DSotM and WYWH stand alone.
(As do the Waters and Gilmour Floyd albums, though they are a very different thing altogether. And Division Bell has been deleted).
Oops, Tiggs, that was supposed to be a reply to you. But I put it in the wrong place. Gonna have to get used to the furniture and fittings, I see.