A Momentary Lapse of Reason reconsidered

[dANdeLION]

Tell the truth, Cail: you object to the themes of charity and compassion rather than the song itself.

Wow, what an uncharitable and uncompassionate comment. Kind of odd, coming from a guy who tears up at a Pink Floyd tune that's just not all that emotionally charged, IMO.

There's a context, and it isn't entirely serious. Just mostly.

BTW, I take issue with the notion that the song isn't emotionally charged. Just listen to the guitar solos for Chrissakes -- bombastic to the max.

You are missing the point of my post. I do not like the tone you're taking with Cail, and your "Scrooge" comment is unacceptable. So, when your derogatory posts disappear, you'll know why.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

Not at all.

I think that it dates the song a bit though, and I think that it's a bit overbearing and.....dare I say....pretentious? It's still a very good song, and I agree that it's linked to "Us and Them".

But when I refer people to what I consider to be great PF songs, it's not one of the ones I recommend.

My experience of this song opposes yours; the contrast elicits superficial curiosity. That is, as someone that listened to the album heavily on release and has continued to listen to it periodically through the years, I used to like "On The Turning Away" significantly less than I do now, and I find that it now has much greater emotional impact. Perhaps it is because I have progressed to a milieu more in line with the songwriter than it was 25 years ago. The comparative meaning of this aesthetic shift vis a vis your own counter shift is imponderable and probably irrelevant.

So I won't ask you to confess to being Scrooge any longer. At least, not on this basis.

Since you continue to display your ignorance, let me take you to school Ex. I would almost guaranty that I give more time, goods and money (as a percentage of gross income) to charity than anyone else on this board. You can stuff the smarmy "Scrooge" comment up your ass until you choke on it.

My objection to the song is that it's ham-handedly written and preachy. The only thing that saves it from being out-and-out awful is the amazing guitar work.

That was clear enough before you restated it. What you like and don't like is your own affair, and if I suggested otherwise that was wrong. But, I'm surprised you care enough about my opinion to protest so much.

And yes, I do have other bases to ask for the admission. Some other time, perhaps.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

Wow, what an uncharitable and uncompassionate comment. Kind of odd, coming from a guy who tears up at a Pink Floyd tune that's just not all that emotionally charged, IMO.

There's a context, and it isn't entirely serious. Just mostly.

BTW, I take issue with the notion that the song isn't emotionally charged. Just listen to the guitar solos for Chrissakes -- bombastic to the max.

You are missing the point of my post. I do not like the tone you're taking with Cail, and your "Scrooge" comment is unacceptable. So, when your derogatory posts disappear, you'll know why.

Granted.

[stonemaybe]

what a well named thread.

keep it in the 'Tank please. There's a reason most of us don't go in there any more.

[Orlion]

'One slip, and done the hole (not hall, ya crazy brits) we fall/ it seems to take no time at all..."

Back on the off-topic, I don't see the comparison between 'Us and Them' and 'On the Turning Away.' One is an incredible song that touches on human nature, the other I wouldn't mind disappearing into obscurity. (Ok, maybe not really when taken on its own, but when you set it against 'Us and Them', I'm sorry, it will get devoured)

[Cail]

Back on the off-topic, I don't see the comparison between 'Us and Them' and 'On the Turning Away.' One is an incredible song that touches on human nature, the other I wouldn't mind disappearing into obscurity.

True, but I think that "On the Turning Away" was an attempt to recapture the theme of "Us and Them". It failed.

[Orlion]

Back on the off-topic, I don't see the comparison between 'Us and Them' and 'On the Turning Away.' One is an incredible song that touches on human nature, the other I wouldn't mind disappearing into obscurity.

True, but I think that "On the Turning Away" was an attempt to recapture the theme of "Us and Them". It failed.

Gilmour seemed to like to do that a lot. Luckily, not every attempt was such a failure, 'High Hopes' was a revisit of themes on 'Fat Old Sun' and works perfectly as its own song and a re-imagining by an older, more mature Gilmour.

[sgt.null]

Back on the off-topic, I don't see the comparison between 'Us and Them' and 'On the Turning Away.' One is an incredible song that touches on human nature, the other I wouldn't mind disappearing into obscurity.

True, but I think that "On the Turning Away" was an attempt to recapture the theme of "Us and Them". It failed.

much like the album as a whole failed to recapture the zeigeist of Pink Floyd?

[Cail]

Back on the off-topic, I don't see the comparison between 'Us and Them' and 'On the Turning Away.' One is an incredible song that touches on human nature, the other I wouldn't mind disappearing into obscurity.

True, but I think that "On the Turning Away" was an attempt to recapture the theme of "Us and Them". It failed.

much like the album as a whole failed to recapture the zeigeist of Pink Floyd?

Ah, but see I don't believe that it did. Unless you're talking about pre-Meddle Floyd, in which case I can give a hearty, "Thank God it didn't capture that bit of zeitgeist". But as far as DSotM and forward, it's clearly the same band making similar music. And frankly it's refreshing not listening to album after album of Roger Waters working through his daddy issues.

Don't get me wrong, I dearly love The Wall, and there's a few moments of brilliance on The Final Cut. But I think the most vociferous critics of AMLoR are just bitter that Waters isn't on it.

I'm sorry though, you simply can't tell me that "Learning to Fly", "Yet Another Movie", or "Sorrow" are anything other than Pink Floyd songs, any more than you can say that "Us and Them" isn't because Syd isn't on it.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

Perhaps there's no accounting for taste since many seem to dislike the song, but after listening to "On The Turning Away" several times the other day at the prompting of this thread, it has been circulating in my cranium almost non-stop, especially the soulful guitar parts at the end.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

Not to appear too convivial Cail, but would you say that Gilmour has always been melancholy rather than cynical, in contrast to Waters? I don't detect much cynicism on this record. Perhaps that is one of the things that gives non-Waters PF a different thematic feel to some.

[Orlion]

Perhaps there's no accounting for taste since many seem to dislike the song, but after listening to "On The Turning Away" several times the other day at the prompting of this thread, it has been circulating in my cranium almost non-stop, especially the soulful guitar parts at the end.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the song... just not when people compare it to 'Us & Them' and 'Wish you Were Here'. If I had to choose between the three, throwing out 'On the Turning Way' would be a no-brainer to me.

[Cail]

Not to appear too convivial Cail, but would you say that Gilmour has always been melancholy rather than cynical, in contrast to Waters? I don't detect much cynicism on this record. Perhaps that is one of the things that gives non-Waters PF a different thematic feel to some.

Oh there's no doubt about it, and you can see the difference in their solo work.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

On listening to AMLOR again, I realize that the intro to "One Slip" is reminiscent of "Time" - even the title AMLOR is reminiscent of TDSOTM. Perhaps there is more to the comparison with TDSOTM than appears on first blush. Just a thought.

[dANdeLION]

Perhaps there's no accounting for taste since many seem to dislike the song, but after listening to "On The Turning Away" several times the other day at the prompting of this thread, it has been circulating in my cranium almost non-stop, especially the soulful guitar parts at the end.

Nobody here has said they disliked that song that I'm aware of. We just like other Pink Floyd songs better. My favorite individual tune is probably 'One of These Days' (and the effects on my pedal board reflects its impact on me). My favorite albums are Meddle through The Wall. Momentary Lapse of Reason is next on my list; I much prefer it to Final Cut. I'm about 10 years older than you, so it kind of makes sense that the Floyd music I prefer is also about 10 years older.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

Oh, I definitely put TDSOTM at the top of the list of albums, and "Wish You Were Here" is their best song (and second best album) IMO.

[sgt.null]

Cail - as i have said before, I prefer the live versions of MLoR songs. tried listening to again this past weekend and it just doesn't work for me. I thought they did much better on Division Bell. incorporating Rick instead of having him along for legal reasons.

I can also tell you that I am not a fan of Dave's last solo album. but enjoy his playing of older Floyd cuts since that album. wish he would break out some of the solo stuff from his first album.

[Orlion]

On listening to AMLOR again, I realize that the intro to "One Slip" is reminiscent of "Time" - even the title AMLOR is reminiscent of TDSOTM. Perhaps there is more to the comparison with TDSOTM than appears on first blush. Just a thought.

Why "Time" and not "Money"?

I liked Dave's last solo album... but it isn't as accessible as his other two were.

[Obi-Wan Nihilo]

Haha, that's true... could be a blending of both!

[Zarathustra]

Cail - as i have said before, I prefer the live versions of MLoR songs.

I agree wholeheartedly! Definitely "On the Turning Away." I think this applies to older material, too, like "Hey You" from Pulse.

For me I think it comes down to the vocals, usually the backing vocals. When I saw Divisions Bell tour, those three ladies singing in the background sounded like angels. I know this has always been part of Floyd (Great Gig in the Sky), but wow they blew me away.