Lost for Words... (The Division Bell - Pink Floyd)

Member Name: obscuredbykep

Product:	The Division Bell - Pink Floyd
Date:	08/02/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: High Hopes

Disadvantages: A few weak tracks

==Background==
Pink Floyd had enjoyed a very successful career since the late 60's, each album progressing further, developing more uniqueness as they went along. From the psychedelic sounds of 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' in 1967, to 1973's world renowned 'Dark Side of the Moon', a record which probably resides in 99% of people with good musical taste's music collection. Each album saw changes, experiments, and in 1983 they released 'The Final Cut', an album so dominated by Roger Waters, that the others needn't have been there. After that, Waters decided that the band was over.

Gilmour and Mason didn't agree though, and they carried on without Waters, (Wright having been fired by Roger during the sessions for 'The Wall'). After a legal dispute, Gilmour and Mason won the rights to continue the Pink Floyd name, and in 1987 released 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason'. Wright then re-joined the band as a full time member, and in 1994 they released 'The Division Bell'.
The Tracks
1) Cluster One

(Gilmour/Wright)
This instrumental piece weighs in at 5:59, a peaceful gentle opening to the album, with some gentle feelings of some of the Floyds early works. "Cluster One" is mainly a guitar and piano led piece, soft and flowing, with a gentle echo on some notes. This track is so relaxing, it perfectly lends it self to a night watching the stars, or something like that. After 4 and a half minutes, a soft clatter of the cymbals comes in and it sounds like a battle between the piano and guitar, with them taking turns to churn out a delicate rift, before Gilmour swops into a short but full of feeling guitar burst.
Song Rating: 8/10

2) What do you want from me?
(Gilmour/Wright/Polly Samson)

This song starts with a slight 80's rock feel, gentle and is then stolen by a moody swing from Gilmour's guitar. The song has the guitar underlining all the song, and some fairly decent lyrics.
Song Rating: 6/10

3) Poles Apart
(Gilmour/Samson/Nick Laird-Clowes)

Starting with a gentle patter from the guitar, this song features some brilliant lyrics, which relate to the two estranged members of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett and Roger Waters.
The first verse speaks to Barrett, with lines such as:

Did you know...it was all going to go so wrong for you
A reference to the breakdown which caused him to be forced from the band in 1968. It also makes reference to Waters with lines such as:

Hey you...did you ever realise what you'd become
Waters was not at all a fan of the new Pink Floyd, and described this album as "rubbish". Here was clearly an animosity between them, which presents itself in a couple of songs on the album.

Musically, this song follows a rather soft flow, and around 4 minutes in has a bit of a sea feel to it, with a gentle recurring bell being sounding. Towards the end of the song is a solo from Gilmour, which is fantastic.
Song Rating: 8/10

4) Marooned
(Gilmour/Wright)

The second Instrumental song on the album, running in at 5:28. "Marooned" is a really 'pretty song', it is soft and well played. The tempo is slow to medium, and this song gives strong connotations of being on a beach at sunset.
Song Rating: 9/10

5) A Great Day for Freedom
(Gilmour /Samson)

This song is rather slow, and sang over a piano base. The chorus gives more strength, but it still lacks a huge grandeur, and is a song that can easily be overlooked. The songs main redemption is yet another sweet bit of guitar from Gilmour,
Song Rating: 5/10

6) Wearing the Inside Out
(Wright/Anthony Moore)

Written by Wright and Anthony Moore, this is the only song sang purely by Rick Wright. It starts off with a bit of saxophone by Dick Parry, which adds some real jazz mood to the song. Wright's soft vocals over the gentle backing, with slow drums and a faint twang of Gilmour on his guitar. The chorus features some backing singers, which add a real beauty to the song, especially when added to the slight increase in guitar. This layering really gives some atmosphere. In the middle of the song, the volume increases slightly, which is then followed by a nice little solo from Gilmour.
Most of the previous songs have been a bit poor compared to Pink Floyd's normal standards, however this song brings things back around, and so far is the highlight of the album.

Song Rating: 10/10
7) Take it Back

(Gilmour/Samson/Laird-Clowes/Bob Ezrin)
The most upbeat track so far, this song is more catchy, and much more single material (was actually released as a single), there have been various interpretations about this song, one of which is it being about Mother Nature.

Song Rating: 7/10
8) Coming Back to Life

(Gilmour)
Gilmour said that this song was written about his wife Polly Samson. The song opens with a nice little guitar, the notes being clear and well defined, which is one of the things I really love about Gilmour's guitar work, its technical, its in place for a reason. The song starts pretty slow, until around 3 minutes when the drums come in, and the song changes direction, it immediately becomes more upbeat and in my view, better.

Song Rating: 8/10
9) Keep Talking

(Gilmour/Wright/Samson)
this song was another single release, and features some vocals by Stephen Hawking, which was taken from a BT advert. This is my fourth favourite song from the album, and the lyrics are pretty good, especially with the backing vocals, giving two perspectives to the song. Gilmour's voice has a slight gravelly sound to it, which really improves the song.

Song Rating: 9/10
10) Lost for Words

(Gilmour/Samson)
This song is the second favourite of mine from the album, and has some brilliant lyrics. The song contains an acoustic guitar which adds softness. The lyrics contain more references to Waters, with the lines:

_Because there'll be no safety in numbers
When the right one walks out of the door_
Which is a reference to Waters leaving the band, this song is probably the song which contains the most references to it, with most lines being interpretable to fit the scenario.

Song Rating: 10/10
11) High Hopes

(Gilmour/Samson)
Ah, finally the best song of the album. Beginning with the chiming bells, before one resonates over the top, a soft few notes from the piano then comes in, before the vocals. This song has a real sad overtone, soaked in drama and feeling. The music is moody, well timed and strong.

_Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we've been so many time_
The lyrics are the best from the album, and are sang with Gilmour's amazing voice, which furthers the feeling of the song. This song is always best listened to in the dark, the feeling it gives is immeasurable.

Song Rating: 11/10
Conclusion
This album was Pink Floyd's last release, and with the demise of Wright last year, it is now most probably going to be the last. In essence, this isn't what many would call a true Pink Floyd album, since it doesn't feature Waters, who some believe was the main driving force behind the Floyd. 'The Division Bell' certainly isn't the best Pink Floyd album either, but judging it as an album, and not in comparison to their other releases, it is defiantly worth buying.
Some of the tracks are truly excellent, and Gilmour's guitar work is as good as it has ever been, with precision and accuracy. The album is full of feeling, mood and some of the tracks owe themselves to sitting down and relaxing with.

My suggestion - pick a copy up, whether you are a Floyd fan or not.

Summary: The last ever Pink Floyd Album.