THE DIVISION BELL

When this album came out I did only purchase the cassette version as I was not "that" satisfied with post Roger Waters era of Pink Floyd through previous album "A Momentary Lapse of Reason". But when I heard "Marooned" with stunning guitar work by David Gilmour, I decided to upgrade the collection into CD. I did not regret at all even though the CD price was five times than cassette. And I think, reviewing an album should be on the basis of enjoying it from CD or LP. Why? It's because my cassette experience with this album did not create any excitement with an atmospheric track that set the overall tone of the album "Cluster One" (5:58). This very slow tempo and ambient music explores some effects resulting from keyboard sound, followed with soft piano touch and soft guitar work of Gilmour can only best enjoyed with the CD format. Unexpectedly the band brings the music into a blues-rock style with "What Do You Want From Me" (4:21). It's not only the beats and the melody that I like from this song, but also the Floydian guitar. Awesome. "Poles Apart" (7:04) for me is an exploration of acoustic guitar fills and nice vocal quality.

My favorite track "Marooned" (5:28) was my chief reason to buy the CD and it explores David Gilmour guitar virtuosity, excellent composition and sustained time signatures that can only be filled-up with a patient guitar player like Gilmour. It is augmented by great piano touch. Unfortunately, I have never heard this track played live. "A Great Day for Freedom" (4:18) is a nice song but I tend to get bored listening this a bit poppy track. With Dick Parry's sax at the opening combined with soft howling guitar, "Wearing the Inside Out" (6:48) brings our musical experience in a cool way; relax . I like the guitar fills at the background. "Take It Back "(6:12) is a straight forward and free flow smooth music with some nice guitar solo in the middle.

"Coming Back to Life" (6:19) was initially not the kind of track that I favor until I watched Gilmour's DVD (In Concert) and I could then appreciate better. Fortunately, I like the guitar solo part which is played "rough" (unusual for Gilmour, actually). "Keep Talking" (6:11) is a good upbeat tempo and ambient song with great sound mixing and unique vocals. "Lost for Words" (5:14) is for just "so and so" as it does not truly create any emotion for me. It goes just like that - it's like an oxygen flowing into my ears. Nothing happen at all man!

"High Hopes" ??? Yeah . it's the pinnacle, I think. I did appreciate this track better after I watched my laser disc on P-U-L-S-E. I really love the melody and the nuance - especially when I watched the video where big balloon moves slowly in a dark setting. What a great shot, really. The song start with a nuanced bell songs augmented with a very simple piano touch followed with great low register notes Gilmour voice .

Beyond the horizon of the place we lived when we were young In a world of magnets and miracles Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary The ringing of the division bell had begun

Along the Long Road and on down the Causeway Do they still meet there by the Cut

There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps Running before time took our dreams away Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground To a life consumed by slow decay

The grass was greener The light was brighter With friends surrounded The night of wonder

Overall, it's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW