ON AN ISLAND

People got matured - by age or by way of thinking. Some people have compelling desires - or most people say it as "dreams" to be achieved at certain point of their life. By no exception is David Gilmour - with passage of time he has got matured as individual and by token of age. He had a dream out of many dreams he might have that one day he would live peacefully with his family. For this measure he has been successful as he is now living on river Thames with his family, in privacy. He then created music that would satisfy his needs during this period of time with the help of his wife and close friends.

This album is considered very personal to Mr. Gilmour even though fans of old Pink Floyd would still can hear Floydian guitar work. Right from the opening of the album, "Castellorizon" (3:54) has already given the nuance of Floyd especially on the way guitar solo is played. No one would ever doubt that this is the guitar style of Gilmour! "On an Island" (6:47) follows with a rhythm section that blends the original Pink Floyd sound and the kind like Barclay James Harvest music. For those who like early style of Pink Floyd would definitely love this song especially the melody is nice. Gilmour delivers his singing in clear and transparent voice. I personally love this album title track. The song is also accentuated with light orchestra at the back.

"The Blue" (5:26) is still in the vein of Pink Floyd, performed in pop style. The music of "Take a Breath" (5:45) flows in the vein of "Momentary Lapse Of Reason" style with nice vocal and melody. Gilmour's howling guitar enriches the music textures of this track. The guitar solo reminds me to "High Hopes" of Division Bell album. "Red Sky at Night" (2:51) is an instrumental piece with mellow saxophone solo backed by keyboard in an ambient nuance. It connects seamlessly like a bridge to "This Heaven" (4:24) - a ballad tune with unplugged fashion and typical Floyd's style. This might mean to Gilmour the life he is experiencing now is just like heaven - nice house, happy family, peaceful life. What a dream comes true! For those of you who are longing for Floydian guitar solo - you can get it right here at the end part of the track.

"Then I Close My Eyes" (5:27) is basically a mellow acoustic piece demonstrating guitar with sliding technique. I think Gilmour tries to imagine how he takes a rest in his heaven? Probably. Musically, it's an interesting instrumental piece. The remaining three tracks are all mellow ones with soft guitar work: "Smile" (4:03), "A Pocketful of Stones" (6:17), and "Where We Start" (6:46).

Overall, it's quite satisfying record with good composition and performance. There is no complexity in terms of arrangement, so it's quite accessible to many ears. You might consider this as an easy listening album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW