AMUSED TO DEATH

ROGER'S BEST. Roger Waters is probably one of the greatest song writers to have ever lived. His lyrics are meaningful and deals with real issues. This album contains some of his best work since an early Pink Floyd. Amused to Death is a concept album that is about how society basically amused themselves to death. This album is filled with several guest musicians like Jeff Beck, Don Henly, and Rita Coolidge. This is probably the "progressive" album by Roger. The songs are longer and darker than those of The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking and Radio K.A.O.S.

1. The Ballad of Bill Hubbard: 4:19 - a nice instrumental with very somber guitar music by Jeff Beck. In the song Alf Razzell tells the story of a man he met in the war named Bill Hubbard. 3/5

2. What God Wants, Pt. 1: 6:00 - this is the best known song on the album. It went to number 4 on the billboard singles chart, though it was banned from the radio. This song is deals with the way people use religion in life. What God Wants is a perfect example of how great of a lyricist Roger Waters really is. 5/5

3. Perfect Sense, Pt. 1: 4:16 - an excellent song that begins with a shout. Roger gives a moving vocal performance witch is then followed by another great vocal performance by PP Arnold. 3/5

4. Perfect Sense, Pt. 2: 2:50 - to me this is one of Roger's best. This song is filled with emotion. With a crowd sing the lines " Can't you see it all makes perfect sense." 4/5

5. The Bravery of Being out of Range: 4:42 - a straight rock song with a great chord sequence. This is one of the songs that stands out in the album for me. Like most of the other songs on the album that makes the concept it's about war. 5/5

6. Late Home Tonight, Pt. 1: 4:01 - a nice acoustic song with Roger sing about the "beauty of military life". 4/5

7. Late Home Tonight, Pt. 2: 2:13 - a very emotional song with a brass band playing along with strings, while Roger sings with feeling in his voice. 3/5

8. Too Much Rope: 5:47 - with a rather chilling intro of a man chopping wood then fades to the sound of sleigh bells. This song is much stronger lyrically than musically, but still it is a good one. " Give any one species too much rope and he'll f*ck it up". 4.5/5

9. What God Wants, Pt. 2: 3:41 - this continues the story of religion and to me it's better than the first. This tells what certain people think God "wants". Good musically and very good lyrically. 5/5

10. What God Wants, Pt. 3: 4:08 - great words along with a great guitar solo. 4/5

11. Watching T.V.: 6:07 - beginning with a television changing channels and then Roger and an acoustic guitar comes in. Roger is then joined with Don Henly. This song really is a nice folk like song to listen to. 4/5

12. Three Wishes: 6:50 - a dark song that seems to be about hope and lost. 4/5

13. It's a Miracle: 8:30 - beginning with a beautiful piece of music makes this one of high points of the album. This songs has several different situations where "miracles" have occurred. 4/5

14. Amused to Death: 9:07 - this is the best song on the whole album for me. The music is really sharp and the lyrics have so much meaning. Roger is singing with Rita Coolidge on this one. Alf Razzell also comes in at the ending with rather kind words. To me this is his best solo song all around. I think the main theme of this album is summarized in this song. 5/5

Amused to Death is without a doubt Roger's best album since his departure from Pink Floyd. The music and lyrics as I've said before are at their best. Rogers vocals are also top notch. The album is excellently produced as well. All the small sound bits are as clear as the music itself. It definitely deserves five stars. Though Roger's solo work might not be for everyone, but for Pink Floyd fans or just any one looking for deep, meaningful music will not be disappointed. Please give this album a try.