The Endless river Pink Floyd and glory of the past

 

If I had to choose the 10 most outstanding music events of 2014, it would definitely have to be the 15th and last studio album in the group’s career. Exactly 20 years after the resounding success of The Division Bell, Pink Floyd has brought the most unexpected gift for fans and the public who love music and love Rock.

When the first information about the music disc titled The Endless River leaked on social networks, optimists immediately thought of a miraculous reunion of the duo Roger Waters and David Gilmour. However, when Pink Floyd officially confirmed that they were “working in the studio”, Roger Waters also posted to assert that he was not related to that album and also reminded everyone that “I am not a member of Pink Floyd”. Floyd” in a very harsh way.

But the public still has a lot to hope for. The Endless River was born based on material recorded in 1993 – 1994. That was the time when Pink Floyd was producing the album The Division Bell – a real masterpiece – without the participation of Roger Waters. (left the band in 1985). In the words of keyboardist Richard Wright, “At that time, the hardest thing for us was to let go of something, continue to develop something. Fortunately, everything is not lost, but it is still in my head, in David’s head.”

Who wrote The endless river?

In addition to Hawking’s participation, The Endless River and 12 other songs were written and co-written by the late Richard Wright. The majority of the lyrics were drawn from a recording session with Richard Wright in 1993, revised and redone by the current team of Pink Floyd. Nick Mason shared: “The Endless River is a tribute to Rick Wright.   

The idea of ​​​​recording an album to commemorate the death of Richard Wright was rekindled in 2012 by the two remaining members: guitarist David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason. The reuse of what was left of 20 years ago was decided rather quickly because there was a lot of Richard Wright imprinted in it. The “filling” stuff, plus the use of the most advanced techniques, resulted in an album “of the 21st century but still Pink Floyd”.

Right from the opening track Things Left Unsaid, listeners were immersed in layers of electronic chords, and David Gilmour’s guitar sounded like a gondola gliding on an endless stream of sounds played by Richard Wright create. If It’s What We Do is reminiscent of a classic Wish You Were Here of any year, then the series of tracks then take listeners into the vast ocean of variable sounds and then sublimate with Autumn ’68 through the sound of ghost organ.

The charms of Richard Wright and Talkin’ Hawkin follow the rhythm of Valse beautifully with David Gilmour’s guitar. And it ended like the beginning, closing the perfect circle with humming chords and then slowly sinking into silence…

The Endless River shares many similarities with The Division Bell and David Gilmour’s solo album On An Island. Even it is relatively close to the style of the trio Gilmour – Mason – Wright showed on the album Pulse (recorded performance at Earls Court – the UK on October 20, 1994). This is almost a full orchestral disc because only the last track Louder Than Words (see video) has the complete lyrics for David Gilmour to sing.

What does Roger Waters think of the endless river?

Roger Waters said in a press conference: “I have nothing to do with either of Pink Floyd’s two recent studio albums, ‘Mo Moment Lapse Of Reason’ and ‘The Division Bell’, nor his concert tours. Pink Floyd in 1987 and 1994, and I have nothing to do with Endless River.”

The absence of Roger Waters makes the music in The Endless River (like A Mo Moment Lapse Of Reason and The Division Bell) lack a bit of sharpness, a little grit, a little bit of boom. Progressive color remains the same but slightly leans towards New-Age. Sounds relaxed, gentle, very suitable for the cover photo – also a surprise that Pink Floyd gave to the public.

 

When did Pink Floyd release their last album?

Pink Floyd’s four digital albums in 360 Reality and Sony’s Dolby Sound. This resulted in the ultimate immersive listening experience, albums being 1987’s A Mo moment of Reason, 1988’s Delicate Sound of Thunder, 1994’s The Division Bell, and finally the release. Pink Floyd’s The Endless River in 2014.

Loyal fans of Pink Floyd when listening to The Endless River will certainly feel familiar because this is simply not a new work but an echo from the past, warm and emotional. It can also be said that now Pink Floyd is no longer able to open new territories in music, no longer has the strength to create breakthroughs like Dark Side Of The Moon or The Wall. But they were certainly expected by the fans.

It can be said that The Endless River is not an album to listen to remember but to listen to vibrate in many different ways. A nostalgic farewell from a band that excels at the genre of music they almost created: Progressive Rock.

 

Almost certain that there won’t be another Pink Floyd studio album left, so The Endless River is still a must-own and must-see for not only the band’s most loyal fans. It has become the most pre-ordered disc on Amazon UK, the fastest-selling LP in the UK in 2014 since 1997, has been at number one on the album sales chart. ran in many countries shortly after its launch…