A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON

Coming right after the split, you couldn't but expect the album to receive a lot of flak from hard core Floydians who just could not imagine the band without Waters. This ensured that the album was never evaluated on its own merit but always was the target of impotent anger directed at the split. I, being a child of the 80's, was never encumbered by such considerations and hence was able to enjoy a truly brilliant album. Thankfully gone are the boring, hard-to-relate-to angst filled Waters lyrics which more often than not masked Gilmour's guitar virtuosity. "Learning to Fly" is sheer poetry! This track alongwith '...turning away' and 'Sorrow' are true 5 star material, but the rest of the album is what brings it down a notch. Here is probably where we miss Waters. Thematic construction was his speciality - although he more often than not he tended to overdo it. In summation, although this album could have done with a little tauter production, it is a must buy for anybody who is interested in serious contemplative rock. Still ranks within my Top 10 best albums of all time. Pity there is no option to give a four and a half star rating. Just makes you wonder what the band could've come up with if Gilmour had led the band with Waters' vituperation controlled from going overboard..... a six star production was a definate possibility. Who knows, Hell may Freeze Over even with these guys.