THE FINAL CUT

What a dark and brooding album this is. Still I have to say it has always reached out and grabbed me with a deep emotional vitality. As a concept album, the execution is off the mark ( imho), but some of the material is just so gut wrenchingly pure that it makes you really stop and ponder it. Of course, all music is subjective, and the next reviewer may say this album simply sucks ( as has past revewers) and I would agree that it is not on par with the great Floyd albums, but it is a unique piece, unlike anything else out there. For a true Pink Floyd fan this album is a must to add to their collection. It will reveal to the listener another shining facet of the Floyd diamond. Songs like "The Gunners Dream" and " Two Suns in the Sunset" may make you feel depressed but, at the same time, tug at your heartstrings like any good prog album should. This was Floyd just before their demise and the influences that are evident on this album are all about Waters. In fact, this could have just as easily been a Water's solo album - and if it was - it would have been his best release. It is not a space - rock piece like earlier Floyd material, and could be considered a political rant by the band. It does (in places) have a sound to it much like The Wall, only darker if that is possible.The lyrics are more straightforward and do not need to be deciphered in an "altered state" to comprehend like other Floyd stuff.. This is not a Floyd album that will be played in sync with the Wizard Of Oz or A Clockwork Orange. Maybe , more appropriately, Full Metal Jacket...