THE WALL

As many have stated this is a concept album about a rock star who has been buiding a wall around himself in order to protect himself from reality and life that has caused him so much pain. Written by Roger Waters this is pretty close to his life's story with a few changes thrown in. We see our subject starting to build the wall from his youth because of his teachers, because of his mother, because of his father not coming home from war, and because of his wife betraying him. Yes this is a dark, cold album about fear, loneliness, humiliation and heartbreak. To our subject the wall represents freedom, but in reality he is building a prison for himself. He ends up trying to commit suicide and becomes hooked on sex and drugs.

Disc one opens with "In the Flesh ?" and the organ work of Richard Wright really stands out. The jets screaming at the end of the song is so cool. Nice ripping guitar solo on "The Thin Ice". "Another Brick In The Wall" comes in three seperate parts.The first one is more psychedelic and atmospheric and is my favourite of the three. The second one is of course the one you heard on the radio all the time back in 1979. The third is more raw and aggressive sounding. "Mother" is such a great tune. The lyrics are biting and emotional. "Goodbye Blue Sky" is a good representation of the mood of this record, as it is very melancholic. Great vocals on "Young Lust" and some raw sounding guitar as well. "One Of My Turns" is another favourite of mine. The fragile vocals that give way to the explosion of sound that are led by powerful vocals is quite dramatic. "Don't Leave Me Now" is a dark, sad song with theatrical vocals.The same mood is even darker in the song "Goodbye Cruel World" to end the first disc.

Disc two starts off with "Hey You" and is another favourite of mine with great drumming,axe work and vocals. "Is There Anybody Out There !" is so eerie in the beginning with a haunting background throughout. "Nobody Home" has this line "I got a little black book with me poems in". This is such an uplifting song, very emotional. To hear Gomer Pyle in the background on the TV is cool. Yes I do remember watching that on the TV when I was a kid. "Vera" is really too emotional, as I always think of Roger. "Bring The Boys Back Home" is as powerul as hell. "Comfortably Numb" has an almost 2 minute guitar solo that is one of the best I have ever heard. Perhaps Gilmour's finest moment. "Run Like Hell" has such a good beat. Great tune. For me the final 7 songs (except "Run Like Hell) are just ok.

This album for me is easily 4 stars and one of Waters finest moments.