Gilmour, David

The first new solo album by David Gilmour in 22 years. First new studio album of any kind in 12 years. He was due.

After listening to this for a week or so, I can say it's a good album. It's not the monster hit I think a lot of people were expecting. Don't get me wrong, it will sell a lot. It will get a lot of notice. It's good - no doubt about it. But it's definitely a mellow album, and if you were expecting David to wail on guitar, this isn't for you. Honestly, it feels like Pink Floyd's 1971 album "Meddle", but with current production values.

If you're a Floyd fan, you should check it out, I think you'll enjoy it. But don't get me wrong - I like the album. I guess I was expecting something else, and didn't get it. I'll get over that. It is good music.

Also, the packaging is quite nice, it feels like a small book - or a child's "board book". Very VERY nicely put together.

Update Sep 18, 2006: My initial impression of this album was that it was TOO mellow, that there wasn't enough rock in it. I still sort of stand by that, but now that I've listened to it more, I have really enjoyed it. About two weeks ago or so, the lightbulb went on, and I really started enjoying this a lot. It's got more punch than I thought, although it is still very much a mellow album. It's just the punches are more woven into the music, it's not like a traditonal Gilmour rock album. It's a lot quieter than that, I can recommend it more highly than before now.

At the time this came out, there were two very "downer" and Waters dominated Pink Floyd albums (The Wall & The Final Cut) released. When this came out, it was a breath of fresh air - it's light, airy, and has some great guitar work. I saw him on this tour, and he played a 5,000 seat place in Philadelphia, and it was one of the most intimate awesome concerts I've ever seen (for an artist of this magnitude). I still love this album today - there's nothing weak on it.

In-between Pink Floyd's Animals & The Wall albums, David Gilmour put out this solo album. At the time it was new, I didn't know about it, so I don't have first hand knowledge of it then - I didn't get it until the mid 80's. It's a slow album, not much in the way of fast up tempo songs. Definitely have to be in the right mood to listen to this, but when I am, it's very enjoyable.