Pink Floyd — The Division Bell
An album I have no strong affinity for, besides one song. The Division Bell is the last wholly original composition from Pink Floyd.
Recorded in four separate studios including Gilmour’s houseboat, Astoria; production began in January of 1993. The second album the band would record after the departure of Waters, The Division Bell was a collaborative effort with Gilmour acting as band leader. The album title comes from British parliament where a “division bell” is rung when there is a vote to come. Storm Thorgerson who created the iconic cover to The Dark Side of the Moon, again worked with the band to create the album packaging. The album released to a mixed reception, but was still able to reach no. 1 in the US and UK. The Division Bell has gone on to be x3 Platinum in both of the aforementioned territories.
“What Do You Want From Me” lays bare the general theme of the album, communication. In this song Gilmour is asking someone (perhaps even the listener) to tell him direct what they want. This is perhaps about creative frustration and motivation as the band neared the end of their career. “Coming Back To Life” on Side B begins with the same meandering tempo as most of the songs I am not mentioning on this album. However, the song soon builds up to be one of the most notable on the album. My problem with this album is… it doesn’t sound like Pink Floyd. I am all for experimentation and changing the formula (see The Wall), but this feels half hearted. This is not apparent on the final song of the album, though. “High Hopes” feels like the song they knew they wanted to make and they then had to pad the rest of it to make a full LP. Gilmour and his soon to be wife, Polly Samson, wrote the song about regret and moving on, a fitting song to (kind of) end their career. The song begins with the clanging of bells, with an almost joyous sound. The tolling leads into a stark piano riff with very few notes played. The song continues on this minimalist approach until the chorus brings in drums and supporting guitar. Evoking imagery of burning bridges, greener grass, and endless rivers, Gilmour paints an antithetical compilation of halcyon days and darkness. I cannot recommend this album, but I can recommend this song.
Must Listen To: High Hopes
“The water flowing
The endless river
For ever and ever.”
