A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
Released: September 7, 1987
Genre: Progressive Rock
Duration: 51:14
Label: EMI / Columbia
Producer(s): Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour
Certified: 4xPlatinum (RIAA)
Singles: “On The Turning Away”, “Learning to Fly”, “On the Slip”
OVERVIEW
I wanted to sit down and review this album for so long because it’s indeed one of Pink Floyd’s most memorable works and definitely one of the greatest albums of the 80s (at least to me) so you cannot imagine how excited I am to be doing this right now. On top of that, it’s “A Momentary Lapse of Reason”‘s birthday today! Such an amazing coincidence – I had literally no idea that it was today!
After the infamous 1983 “Final Cut” record, which was basically a Roger Waters solo album, people were already speculating on him possibly splitting from the band. In 1984, Roger released his first solo album – “The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking” and one year later, he officially announced his departure from the band. Though Roger chose to take on a different journey, David Gilmour was straightforward and told him that the band will continue, with or without him. Roger probably thought that the band won’t really survive without him; however David Gilmour, along with Nick Mason started recruiting some outstanding musicians and in 1987 released the highly controversial and expected “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” which defined the new Pink Floyd and set the records straight – Pink Floyd were staying! Yes, they did lose a brilliant lyricist, a monstrous talent and a mind-blowing musician, responsible for shaping their progressive sound in the 70s, however life goes on and I truly believe that David Gilmour did an outstanding job. As a matter of fact, “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” and the following 1992 album – “The Division Bell” are probably my two most favourite Pink Floyd albums. I think it’s generational – I was born in the early 90s and I grew up with their later albums and David Gilmour’s Pink Floyd.
“A Momentary Lapse of Reason” is often misunderstood and extremely underrated record, despite magnificent songs such as “Learning to Fly”, “Sorrow” and “On The Turning Away”. I often clash with lack of objectivity when it comes to this album and it’s quite unpleasing to keep on reading how this album “lacks the vision or the brilliant lyrical skills of Roger Waters” so I will try to move away from that and express my love towards this album and those songs. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but I truly feel one with this record.
“Learning to Fly” is such a calming and peaceful song and so beautifully done. I adore David Gilmour’s vocal delivery on this track – it really makes me feel so hopeful and comfortable. “Sorrow” is the album’s hidden treasure – a track which should’ve been released as a single, definitely. It captivates with its strong guttural guitar sound and haunting layered vocals. “On The Turning Away” makes me quite sad and reminds me a lot of “Comfortably Numb” from the Wall. The third single – “One Slip” brings me back to the old-school days of Pink Floyd and I’m a huge fan of the scary intro. Turn the volume to the max when you play the thrilling “Yet Another Movie”– I guarantee that it will send you to another universe! Friendlier sounds and approaches do indeed suit Pink Floyd and I could easily feel how confident David and the other musicians were while making and recording this album.
Listen to “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” with an open heart and forget about Roger Waters for a second. It’s a fine album – one of the finest as a matter of fact! It’s intense, calming; heavy and hopeful at the same time. David’s guitar and vocals deliver the whole range of emotions. It would take them a few more years before “The Division Bell” and mastering their own unique new-Pink-Floyd-sound, however with tracks like “Learning to Fly” and “On The Turning Away” this record kicks some serious ass!
Enjoy it!
Tracklist:
“Signs of Life”
“Learning to Fly”
“The Dogs of War”
“One Slip”
“On the Turning Away”
“Yet Another Movie”
“A New Machine Part 1”
“Terminal Frost”
“A New Machine Part 2”
“Sorrow”
Learning to Fly
On The Turning Away
One Slip
Sorrow
MY ROCK MIXTAPES 