CD - David Gilmour, On An Island

From the archive, first published Wednesday 15th Mar 2006.

IT may have been 12 years since his last stint in the studio but David Gilmour has lost none of his panache and creativity.

There is a tell-tale Pink Floyd sound running through the album which just oozes quality.

But there is also a dream-like feel to it all, particularly the opening few tracks which are all echo and soothing strumming.

But just when there is a danger of drifting away on to some new ethereal plane, Gilmour ups the tempo with the more edgy Take a Breath, a track that includes some of his best guitar work on the entire album.

Die-hard Floyd fans may marvel at Gilmour's fretwork and the production is equally impressive.

But they may not be persuaded by the mellowness in some of the tracks.

A haunting saxophone rips through Red Sky at Night and there is a definite country feel to Smile.

Gilmour has been away for far too long and this is a welcome return.

Whether it will be welcomed by his legions of fans is another matter.

DL

Archive Home