THE DIVISION BELL

The Division Bell does what all the pre-Animals Floyd albums do best: ensures that the melody does not suffer for the preponderance of lyrics. That's not to say that Gilmour can write lyrics as well as Waters. But when considering the Floyd's "Great Phase" -- from Meddle to Animals -- the music was as important as the words. Listening to The Wall and The Final Cut really emphasizes the fact that Waters was not a great tune smith. That was always Gilmour's strength: witness "Comfortably Numb" and "Mother" on The Wall. That's the subtle grace of The Division Bell, even moreso than MLOR -- it is very much back to the strong musical structures that evade much of Waters' solo project as well as the The Wall and The Final Cut. The lyrics balance nicely in most places as well ("I Took a heavenly ride through our silence" is a gorgeous line, no matter who wrote it). I think that with the Division Bell, the Floyd (sans Waters) retire with their integrity, style and stature intact. It is a fitting farewell, especially in light of Wright's contributions and his untimely death. The Division Bell will remain, I think, the Floyd's great under-appreciated masterwork.