THE DIVISION BELL

This is the year of this album's 10th anniversary and yet, nothing surprisingly new from the band as it was to be expected due the casualties surrounding the band. I think of this recording as the "Prime Opera" of the band ever since WATERS left, and it's quite impossible not to bring Roger up when to referring to the band, but for the reasons we all are familiar with, it's practically inevitable.

Although the slide according to this album in the site doesn't feature Rick WRIGHT on keyboards, believe me, he is. And so is gifted guitarist Tim RENWICK, Mr. Dick PARRY on the sax along his special appearances on "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here" and many other exceptional musicians that joined the band during "The Division Bell" tour and in the "Pulse" live recording such as Gary WALLIS, Guy PRATT and Jon CARIN.

This almost perfect album reminds us of a simpler time and fulfills us with the sensation of union, commitment and geniality the band used to have all along their successful career. It surely is an experimental passage through what PF has done and achieved during the years from the "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" until this piece plagued with beautiful strikes of innovation, assorted with mixtures so rare and unique like the moments of inspiration with Rick on keyboards or the inexplicable turns Nick gets on drums. GILMOUR's performance all along this album is incomparable to what he's done so far, and with "so far" I also mean his solo works that certainly are uncomfortable to prog rock; the guitar execution is as melodic and moody as the one he once played in "Wish You Were Here" or even "The Wall".

The edgy touch and the musical improvement the album's got is the crucial point to convince the fans they still now how to rock, and still, it'd be out of any belief to think of a new album but with the old line-up. Great album, great production by Bob EZRIN, like the ones he's done with the band in the past; great musicians. Essential for complete understanding of the PINK FLOYD context.