Is This The Life We Really Want?

Feel the same Tom. I've heard the album a couple of times now and I find it extremely irritating. The man simply won't shut up for more than a few seconds at a time. The Floydian section of Smell The Roses is a lone dove. The rest is The Final Cut take 4 nahh strike that 5? I'm not sure but he is obviously stuck in the same groove and has been there ever since completing The Wall. 

But did anyone expect some kind of psych/super proggy blowout from this album? It's pretty much long established since `The Final Cut' that the lyrics are the prime concern for Roger, and sure enough that's the case on this album. To be honest, I was even stunned to find that he was credited to bass on it! Anyway, occasionally there's some cool instrumental passage that's crafted around his voice and words, although he likely didn't have much of a hand on that side of things (hello, Nigel Godrich!)

Equally praising and damning review on the way, though, if I can pull it together successfully! I don't like my chances though.

No, I did not expect it or Godrich as the producer and song arranger. Waters always needed a musical partner, if you will, to put his songs across and I believe that Godrich is the man.

Agreed. Peeps into politics will most likely find something to chew on in the lyrics...and they will probably also enjoy the album more...from a lyrical standpoint. 

Tom Ozric wrote: The bottom line is - you can hear he is more than capable of composing 'music' - music that means a lot to a large percentage of his listeners, however, he chooses to rave and drool about the current worldly situation. That's all well and good, but to the extreme that he does - bah. Just play awesome music, not commentary please, Rog.

Its everything I expected.

Edited by Tapfret - June 07 2017 at 22:26

Hmmm, I've listened to `...Life' closely about fifteen times at this point, and I can't say I've really noticed any distortion. Anyone else care to jump in?

By comparison (and unrelated), I was listing to Griot's `Gerard' album a few minutes ago, and the first track on that pretty much crumbles apart in the speakers!

SteveG wrote: I'm not sure why many refer to Waters' vocals as "Dylan like." Dylan can sing in a winey high pitch while Roger just recites his lyrics. He's basically talking and that's why his "vocals" have not degraded as compared to his contemporaries like Ian Anderson or Gary Brooker. IMO.

AZF wrote: I have the album! Going to listen to it, but I've read elsewhere (Unless it's a hoax!) that there is a problem with the album as it distorts when played loud! Roger is meant to be furious about this. So if true that would appear in reviews right?

It's not an album that I would really crank up like The Wall, but I've played it moderately loud and didn't notice any distortion. I've have read complaints about the sound mix from some people, but to me its a matter of taste.

Edited by SteveG - June 08 2017 at 04:17

Had a morning of playing it over. The sound is weird as it sounds like it would be as expansive as Wish You Were Here, but there's this muffled sound. And then Roger's voice comes in crystal clear..
I love the title track and Bird In A Gale.
Wait For Her is the only poetry interpretation since Golden Hair on his friend's album.
Having a break from listening, but I can say although it's his best solo album, but no idea how this will stand when compared to other albums considered best.
I'm more satisfied with this than the last three albums Roger made with Pink Floyd.
I recommend a listen but it isn't even Autumn!

Edited by AZF - June 08 2017 at 06:38