A Momentary Lapse Of Reason [Original recording remastered]

 

 

Create your own review

This is the first post-Waters album released by Pink Floyd. How good this actually is really depends on who you talk to. Clearly the band lost a monstrous talent when Roger Waters decided to leave. His lyrical and conceptual ideas, as well as his sense for dramatic presentation (both on stage and on record), are unmatched. Pink Floyd became the band that it is in large part because of Waters. Equally responsible for their direction and success, however, is David Gilmour. He is a masterful musician and a brilliantly passionate guitarist who has helped shape the band with his unparalleled playing. Arguably it was Gilmour's emotional guitar and musical talent that gave power to Waters' words. Though noone can dispute the vital contributions both Rick Wright and Nick Mason made to help forge the band (nor founder Syd Barrett who laid the template for the rest to follow), most would certainly agree that Gilmour and Waters have always been the main driving force.

Now where does all this leave A Momentary Lapse Of Reason? With Waters gone, obviously a large portion of the chemistry that spawned such classics as Animals and Wish You Were Here is missing. The band's direction and approach to writing would naturally have to adapt, in much the same way they had to adapt after Barrett's departure. Lyrically the album is weak in spots. It contains no conceptual thread nor does it even begin to approach Roger's level of clever wordplay and stinging sarcasm. The lyrics are more poetic generalities than they are deeply held convictions. That being said, this album is a gorgeous work of music that, in certain ways, harkens back to Wish You Were Here and Meddle. Sounding like neither, but capturing the spirit of both, A Momentary Lapse Of Reason is absolutely a return to form. Without Roger's lyrical genius, Dave wisely focused on HIS strengths and passion: the music. From the chilling instrumental opener Signs Of Life, to the glorious raging darkness of the album's closer Sorrow, this is Pink Floyd in all their musical glory. The album has a dark haunting quality to it, each song moving through several interesting parts that never sound dull or forced. The beauty of this band's sound has always been that it's very visual and evocative. This album certainly delivers that. In particular the last half is one phenomenal stretch of spine-tingling music. Keyboards, drums, bass, and the occasional saxophone blend wonderfully with sinister sound effects to create beautiful soundscapes - and Gilmour's spectacular guitar slashes, cries, whispers, screams, and howls throughout the entire journey. It is a ride worth taking.

As you read through many of these other reviews, it's obvious that alot of people feel very strongly that this is not a Pink Floyd record. I understand but disagree. As much as the band had a right to carry on after Barrett left, clearly the band had a right to continue after Waters. Arguing over the "authenticity" of this album (and all those that followed without Waters) is pointless, as every listener has his or her own idea as to what Pink Floyd is to them. To put it simply, if you feel that the lyrical and conceptual content of Pink Floyd is undeniably the most important aspect to you, then you're probably better off passing this up. At the very least borrow a copy before you buy it. However if the music of this band is what has always moved you, then you're going to love this. Roger Waters may have left, but Pink Floyd remains.

Granted, David Gilmour's guitar was one of the keystones of the Pink Floyd sound, but it is difficult to deny that Roger Waters was the brain behind the band. Before Waters took over, Pink Floyd was a niche, psychedelic band with very limited appeal. Under Waters lead, the band became one of the most influential bands in history, both musically and philosophically. With his departure, Pink Floyd permanently lost their reason.

More than any other Pink Floyd release, this CD clearly demonstrates the genius of Waters. How else could one explain how shallow and meaningless the music became after his departure?

As far as I can tell, it is only things that keep the latest incarnation of Pink Floyd (...) in the limelight are the reputation built by the Waters led version of the band and the ignorance of a new generation of poseurs. Indeed, I know of no true Pink Floyd fans (i.e. those who understood and appreciated the depth of DSOTM, WYWH, and The Wall), who see this album and the current band as anything more than a meaningless shadow of the former.

On the other hand, although Waters's latest contributions certainly have the depth of golden age Pink Floyd, he has been unable to replicate or replace the impact of the former Pink Floyd sound. Too bad.

Whatever you think of Roger Waters, Pink Floyd was clearly never the same after his rather acrimonious exit. Having won the right to continue using the band's name, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright recorded and released A Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987. It's a far cry from the incredibly successful concept albums largely controlled by Roger Waters (e.g., The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon), and it has its inherent imperfections, but A Momentary Lapse of Reason is still an impressive album featuring some great musical moments and awesome Gilmour guitar riffs.

Freed from the controlling influences of Waters, David Gilmour dominates this album - he wrote or co-wrote every track, took up the mantle of lead singer, and did much to prove himself the greatest guitarist in the business. One can read certain things in the album title and some of the songs (e.g., Sorrow) about the whole Pink Floyd turmoil of the previous years, but the main problem with this album is its seeming lack of a unifying theme. There is unquestionably a great deal of intensity in the words and music, but there's no real depth. To me, the whole album has an artificial feel to it - especially compared with the Waters-dominated Pink Floyd releases. There are no bad songs on this album (although some Pink Floyd fans don't think very much of The Dogs of War), but few seem to work up any real emotion. One can get a feel for this in the opening instrumental track; there may be Signs of Life in the initial sounds of plodding movement through water, but these are lost in a cacophony of artificial voices speaking unintelligibly in the background. I have to admit that I don't always understand what Gilmour and the guys are trying to do in some of these songs.

Learning to Fly is somewhat pop-oriented track that succeeds quite well, but the first real magic is to be found in the song On the Turning Away. This track about man's lack of concern for his fellow man also features some amazing guitar work by Gilmour. Gilmour's finger work basically carries the second half of the album, one rendered somewhat obscure by the long instrumental Terminal Frost and its musical A New Machine bookends. The album closes out impressively, though, with Sorrow. This is the most emotionally compelling song on the album, and it opens with David Gilmour doing what he does best.

I can see how some Pink Floyd fans don't really care for this album. It's very different from what had come before, and the song lyrics don't really compare to those written by Roger Waters. Still, this is Pink Floyd - maybe not the Pink Floyd we wish we still had, but Pink Floyd nonetheless. David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright revived this group when many thought it was dead and buried, and their own distinctive musical creations introduced a new generation of fans to the magic that is, was, and always will be Pink Floyd.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 229 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A Momentary Lapse of Excellence...
To hear people say this is one of Pink Floyds not-so-great albums makes me want to throw fists. This cd is simply stunning and I LOVE it. Read more

Published on July 20 2004 by calico_katt

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Floyd, still good
Many people say of this album, "Good, but not Pink Floyd." To them I say that Pink Floyd, if anything was a band that was constantly on the move and changed its sound... Read more

Published on July 20 2004 by I. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definitely Awesome Album
The Final Cut was terrible so it was really great that they did this album. There are so many great songs. Yeah Roger Waters was not there, but it's a true Floyd album. Read more

Published on July 12 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars On the turning away
"A momentary lapse of reason" is considered one of Pink Floyd's poorest albums. Sure, Roger Walters was not on it, but it did generate two massive eighties singles:... Read more

Published on July 5 2004 by William

4.0 out of 5 stars Admit it. You miss Roger.
All in all, A Momentary Lapse Of Reason stands as a pretty decent David Gilmour solo record with the Pink Floyd name tacked on for the sake of album sales. Read more

Published on Jun 25 2004 by William J. Eichelberger

4.0 out of 5 stars Un-Floydian
"A Momentary Lapse of Reason" came out after Roger Waters (the main songwriter up to this point) left the band in pursuit of a solo carreer. Read more

Published on Jun 25 2004 by Lens Fortwright

5.0 out of 5 stars The grand return of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd's triumphant comeback A Momentary Lapse of Reason was released in September of 1987. The album was the first without original member Roger Waters whom acrimoniously... Read more

Published on Jun 21 2004 by Terrence J Reardon

5.0 out of 5 stars Pink Floyd's Instrumental Cold War
The album indeed has an an 80's sound, but this is certainly not the 80's of "Safety Dance". Read more

Published on May 23 2004 by Justin Wakefield

3.0 out of 5 stars a disappointing album.
i am a huge floyd fan. i consider them THE best of the '70s. they did so much things for rock and should be getting the respect the beatles (favourite band of the '60s.. Read more

Published on May 21 2004 by lost_weasel

2.0 out of 5 stars WORST FLOYD ALBUM!
This is easily the worst Pink Floyd album. This album sounds like your typical cheesy 80s record meets Pink Floyd. Read more

Published on May 16 2004 by jxst

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 229 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!