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On An Island is Gilmour's third solo album and his first
studio venture since 1994's Pink Floyd 'DIVISION BELL' outing.
David Gilmour is generally thought of as the 'laid-back' member
of the Floyd, rolling out of bed to hit the studio whenever
he damn well pleases or maybe when the money gets low. The
best way to aproach this album is with an open mind. I see
some magazines and reviewers have savaged this album for not
being what they perhaps expected. True, Gilmour breaks no
real new ground here, and why so long between projects. And
why a solo album? Doesn't the universe want another Floyd
extravaganza? Perhaps this is one way Gilmour can get music
out without having to worry about the yearlong slog of a world
tour which would have accompanied it had he slapped the word
'Pink Floyd' across it instead. One way to fight expectations,
and as there are only three Gilmour solo albums spread across
three decades, you can't compare On An Island to those either.
He hasn't established a solo career pattern, so each album
is different.***
On An Island is mostly a mellow, dreamy album with few
uptempo moments. Those who like Gilmour's bluesy guitar solos
and lazy, mellow feel will find plenty to enjoy. On An Island
perhaps needed a few more upbeat tracks to offset the more
reflective ones, but everything here is executed with taste
and professionalism. Gilmour's guitar playing is as emotional
and beautiful as expected, and there are a number of guests
which include David Crosby & Graham Nash, Chris Thomas, Roxy
Music's Phil Manzanera & Andy Newmark, Floyd-mate Richard
Wright, Robert Wyatt and others. Much of the lyrics are handled
by Mrs. Gilmour Polly Samson. This is also a more introspective
and personal album from a lyric standpoint. Less songs about
the music business, war or insanity this time and more about
human emotions and feelings. What does this, David's first
solo album in over 20 years sound like? Here are the tracks:
CASTELLORIZON:
As expected, a spacey instrumental opens the disc, just
like on the last two Gilmour-dominated Floyd albums. This
is a sonic collage of styles which drift by like a dream,
briefly moving through different sounds until Gilmour's trademark
mourning guitar leads slice through the dark.***
ON AN ISLAND:
A mellow-ish Floyd style track with some gorgeous vocal
harmonies, especially the chorus. Also has a feel of recent
Steve Hackett material(TO WATCH THE STORMS) during the verses,
if you think about it. Shimmering organ from Richard Wright
and a soulful solo from David add to the overall Floyd-ability.
A warm and glowing track with great harmonies.***
BLUE:
Shades of some of the softer bits from MEDDLE. This is
a warm and summery track, again with some beautiful and laid
back vocals. The slide guitar solo melts like butter across
a warm cornbread muffin. Indeed, David tortures his guitar
until it cries out from its soul.
TAKE A BREATH:
This one hints at past Floyd moments like DOGS OF WAR
or even THE WALL, with the treated vocals and driving rhythm.
Also reminds me of REAL LOVE from YES' album 'TALK', released
the same time as Floyd's DIVISION BELL. It has that atmosphere
and feel, especially in the spacey middle section. This is
one of the only upbeat moments on the album. The 'Take a breath...'
lyric which repeats throughout the track gets slightly monotonous
though.***
RED SKY AT NIGHT:
Another dreamy instrumental which features a sax solo
which is done by David himself. I had no idea Gilmour played
saxophone too. You learn something new.***
THIS HEAVEN:
This is a jazzy uptempo track with some rootsy acoustic
rhythm guitar and bluesy guitar leads, soulful organ and jazz
drums.
THEN I CLOSE MY EYES:
This one goes through a psychedelic intro before sliding
into another reflective and emotional guitar instrumental
showcase, which also features some cornet from Robert Wyatt.***
SMILE:
Twangy slow folky blues track with hazy, dreamy qualities.***
A POCKETFUL OF STONES:
Another reflective track which is a bit more involved,
including some intimate piano and cinematic orchestration.
This isn't too far away from something from one of Roger Waters'
own albums. There is a somewhat dreamy sadness to this one
which will stick with you and reward with repeated listens
as well. The guitar solo sounds as if in despair, there's
a well of emotion from this track.***
WHERE WE START:
The last track is yet another slow one with slight strands
of George Harrison. The track drifts along until the obligatory
guitar solo and fade, and then it is over.***
I know this is a frustrating listen for those expecting
another record like the classic MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON
or WISH YOU WERE HERE. Listening without preconcieved ideas
is probably the only way to go. One can say that an old rocker
in his 50's(or maybe even 60 by now) like David Gilmour has
nothing to say musically and too much money. Is this album
valid? I don't think any of that matters too much. ON AN ISLAND
should be taken for what it is: music to be enjoyed. Of that
there is enough on this album. Hopefully there won't be another
12 years before Gilmour rolls out of bed again and delivers
another record. In the meantime, this should fit in any Pink
Floyd fan's current stack of discs. It's also nice to note
that his first two solo albums, 1978's 'DAVID GILMOUR' and
1984's 'ABOUT FACE' will be reissued in May, just in time
to be rediscovered.
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