THE DIVISION BELL

The departure of Roger put Dave in command, which resulted in the release of the average "A Momentary Lapse Of Freedom". It was more a Gilmour work than anything else. This one is more a band album (Rick is co-credited for five songs).

"Cluster One" starts very slowly (you almost do not notice anything during the first minute). Some aerial and spacey moments and the song can really starts after its third minute. It is then brilliant : the Floyd in all its grandeur. Fantastic keys in the background, fabulous guitar and subtle percussion from Nick. Very sensitive and emotional. Some SOYCD flavour.

"What Do You Want From Me" starts like "Have A Cigar". This is a hard song : strong tempo, heavy guitar but very melodious vocals. A strong number, maybe a bit commercial... "Poles Apart" is another great song : the band is finally united. The sound is perfect (as it has been since DSOTM by the way). Rick plays a very melodic and floating key parts. The finale has become of standard for the Floyd : inmense and emotional guitar solo. The floyd TM.

"Marooned" is a beautiful instrumental piece showcasing Dave again : I can't help it : this is the Floyd I prefer. Straitghtforward, spacey, harmonious : so HUMAN.

The same feeling applies to "A Great Day For Freedom". At this stage, the difference of tone with the Waters era is obvious : while they were dark, depressed and fighting with each other; they are now optimistic and happy to be together.

David will say : "What was really nice about the recording was that myself and Rick and Nick came together and worked well as a unit in a way that we hadn't done for many, many year". And Nick : "We went into the studio to see if we could invent anything as a band rather than entirely electronically and I think it was successful for this album. It was significant that there was something to be achieved with the three of us". Listen to "High Hopes" to be convinced.

"Wearing the Inside Out" is a mellow ballad with nice background vocals (this is another of their TM) and good sax work. It is a a bit monotonous even if, as usual, the guitar solo at the end saves the track. "Take It Back" is a bit more commercial, poppy but good.

"Coming Back To Life" has a very nice guitar intro, and when the track starts at 2'45" it is pure joy. Great melody, good backing band, and great chorists. Rythm and harmony : do we need more at this stage ? Is it useful to mention that Dave is just great in both the vocals as in the guitar solo ?

"Keep Talking" is another excellent number : a bit harder than the average here. Beautiful duo between David and the backing vocalists. The melody is rather catchy. Some arrangements remind me the DSOTM atmosphere.

"Lost For Words" has the flavour of the title track "WYWH" with a nice accoustic intro. "High Hopes" closes the album on a very optimistic mood. OK, it is a bit mellow. OK some of the lyrics are a bit childish ("The grass was greener, The light was brighter, With friends surrounded, The nights of wonder"). But this is exactly what's all about The Division Bell : hope and melody instead of shouts and stress.

When you listen to "The Division Bell" you are overwhelmed by its beauty (even if it is a commercial record, even pop at times). Some might find that the tracks are too similar one to each other, but I do not have this feeling. I just love this record. Period. This one will reach Nr. 1 both in the US and in the UK (where are you Roger) ? Four stars.