Another bayleaf in their wreath. Review on The Division Bell - Pink Floyd

Ever since my school days I've been an ardent fan of Pink Floyd. Their music really

has the power to transcend a listener above the realms of ordinary mortal life with

their divine music and https://lyrics. The Division Bell, their last album was no exception. As

a matter of fact it also denoted a sort of evolution from their earlier days. Unlike

albums like ''meddle'' or ''final cut'', Division Bell is not too experimental and it

denoted a foray into conventional rock. In any case Division bell was still an

aberration from other regular rock albums in the early 90's.

Everything about the album is different starting from the CD layout. The cover photo

shows 2 metallic faces facing each other. The lyrics booklet is also a work of art with

superb photography adorning every page and the CD itself has no lettering ; just an

abstract psychedelic pattern which gives some indication of the ethereal music that's

stored on the disc.

The album flags off with ''Cluster one''; a soothing instrumental number with superb

guitaring by David Gilmour. ''Marooned'' is equally enticing with a great guitar solo.

Gimour sure knows how to make his fender sing. Other songs like ''What do you

want from me'' and ''Wearing the inside out'' contain abstract and reflective lyrics and

great strings arrangements. Floyd also gives away their ''Wall '' lineage in ''A great

day for freedom'' by referring to the ''The day when the wall came down'' We also

note the soothing tones of a soprano saxophone in atleast 3 of the songs. I don't

recall Floyd using the sax in any of their previous albums so it was a refreshing

change. Versatality seems to be the key element which distinguishes Division Bell

from their previous albums.

The songs ''Take it back'' and ''comming back to life'' seems like a medley as there is

no gap in between the songs and the now-familiar sax seems to be the linking sound

which makes the aforesaid tracks sound like one long song. Brilliant to say the least.

I particularly enjoyed ''Lost for words'' owing to it's simplistic and wonderful

acoustic guitar duet and great https://lyrics. The lyrics of this song seem more like words

from a neophilosophical poem. Consider the first two paras:

''I was spending my time in doldrums

I was caught in a cauldron of hate,

I felt persecuted and paralysed

I thought that everything else could just wait

while you are wasting your times on your enemies

Engulfed in a fever of spite

Beyond your tunnel vision; reality fades

like shadows into the night''

Need I say more???

All the songs featured in this album are superb with different music and themes. It's

very difficult to be prejudiced to any particular song but I feel one track definitely

stands out and that is ''High Hopes''. The track starts off with unconventional,

mystical sounds like the buzzing of bees and the distant tolling of iron bells. The

volume of the tolling increases followed by a piano routine and then the bass kicks in

and the song's underway. The music is so mesmerizing that it actually creates illusions

in your mind if you concentrate on it. As for the finishing touch, this song ends with a

powerful electric guitar solo performance by Gilmour. This would definitely remind

Floyd listeners of ''Comfortably Numb'' from their landmark album ''the Wall''

All said and done this is one hell of an album. If you're like me and are already

hooked to Floyd, this is album is a must have. In case you're sick and tired of sugar

coated pop and boybands these days, try this album out, it'll change the way you

perceive music forever.