The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking
Released: April 1984
StevieG rating:
8.3/10
Roger Waters' first solo album (after
The Body soundtrack) follows on musically from
The Final Cut and
The Wall.
This
may be an album with some differing opinions!
This concept album is a little hard to follow initially, because it is based on a dream by the protagonist, so some of the descriptions have to be interpreted as such. It is also quite an uncomfortable album to listen to at times due to the sexual content.
As far as musicians go, Roger brings out some big names. Andy Newmark, who played drums on
The Final Cut returns, and so does Michael Kamen who conducts the National Philharmonic Orchestra, and plays piano. The amazing vocalists Madeline Bell, Katie Kissoon and Doreen Chanter provide backing vocals throughout. Gerald Scarfe provided the illustrations, and there's even a cameo from Jack Palance as a Hell's Angel. But the biggest scoop for this album is one of the world's great guitarists
Eric Clapton. It's an incredible pleasure to listen to his guitar work throughout the record.
Thematically, the album takes place in real time from 4:30:18 am to 5:12:32 am in the form of a fitful dream. Roger even allowed 5 seconds for the listener to turn the record over, and therefore play the next track at exactly the right time. Of course, this became a problem when it was released later on CD. There is a ticking clock that runs throughout the album, and lots of car sound effects. There is a recurring musical theme that also repeats throughout the recording.
4:30AM (Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad)
StevieG rating: 7/10
Introduces the style of the album. There's an ominous nature to this opening track. Eric Clapton is already influencing the sound with his soulful lead.
4:33AM (Running Shoes)
StevieG rating: 8/10
Musically, this song is amazing. I love the echo on Roger's voice, the drumming is precise, the guitar is sublime. The backing vocals are brilliant. The sax is perfect. As a teenager, I would check that my parents weren't around when listening to this song, and now as a parent, I check that the kids aren't around when listening to this song. There are some sound effects that definitely make you a little uncomfortable. The problem with them is they overshadow a Clapton guitar solo.
This is where the dream makes things a little random. First, they're driving in the family car with two hitchhikers in the back seat. Then he's driving in the country in his green Lamborghini with the hot hitchhiker. Then there are arabs with knives at the foot of the bed... "Come on now kid, it was wrong what you did. You gotta admit it was wrong what you did."
4:37AM (Arabs with Knives and West German Skies)
StevieG rating: 8/10
The protagonist forces his dream to go back to the girl with the rucksack. The song has an amusing German-influenced section which I quite like. Then my favourite part is straight after this section where he says "Thank you, but - this young lady and I will just finish this bottle of wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!" Musically, this album is quite amazing. Then Eric steps in and delivers another smoking solo.
4:39AM (For the First Time Today, Part 2)
StevieG rating: 7/10
We have our first "Oh babe!" reminding me of The Wall. Eric Clapton shines again on this track. Roger likes his anguished cries! I like how she says "forget it" followed by a finality-sounding saxophone. Then it lead into...
4:41AM (Sexual Revolution)
StevieG rating: 10/10
This has one of the great guitar solos of all time in my opinion.
Eric Clapton is unbelievable throughout the whole track, adding his bits after almost every phrase, but his solo after the "Nothing can grow without rain" part remains one of my favourite ever guitar solos. What a maestro. The song has an arrogant swagger to it, accompanied by musicians at the top of their game. Some of the lyrics are a bit much, but they are constructed with the skill of a poet.
4:47AM (The Remains of Our Love)
StevieG rating: 7/10
The man gets a second chance. Off they go to the country to try and start again. The piano and guitar really compliment each other throughout this album. This song is a great example. Although it's relatively short, the piano and guitar lift it along nicely.
4:50AM (Go Fishing)
StevieG rating: 10/10
This is a significant song in the context of the album. It describes the trip to the country that the man and his wife make, in the spring. There's a nice nod to
The Fletcher Memorial Home at the start. It goes on to describe the growing apart, the man's dope smoking habit, and the wife falling for another man. The relationship disintegrates, described in epic detail by Waters. Musically, it's a triumph again. The drumming is precise. Eric Clapton is wondrous again (I know, but he just is!). The sax is well placed and effective. Backing vocals!
Then the leaves all fell down
The crops all turned brown
It was over
As the first snow flakes fell
I realised all was not well in the camp
She leaves, and he is alone. Roger describes it in vivid detail. It isn't hard to picture. And you have the kids saying "Bye bye daddy" at the end.
4:56AM (For the First Time Today, Part 1)
StevieG rating: 8/10
It's a heartfelt lament. It's over, and it hurts.
4:58AM (Dunroamin, Duncarin, Dunlivin)
StevieG rating: 8/10
Some smoking guitar in this one. The trucker picks up the lonely hitchhiker. He proceeds to spill his guts to the truckie. I love the guitar bits in it. Everything Clapton does turns to gold. The man is feeling sorry for himself. Sounds familiar! I love his description of the man who stole his wife's heart.
With his neat feet and his clean fingernails
With his wise but twinkling eyes
He's a rock standing out in an ocean of doubt
And compromise
Meanwhile, Eric's guitar becomes more and more
emotional or angry. The musical theme continues...
5:01AM (The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, Part 10)
StevieG rating: 7/10
The title track is a little different from the rest of the album, but it is almost a summing up of the situation. Contains some nasty words about Yoko Ono that was probably funny in the 80s, but doesn't sound so great now. Also contains another blistering solo from Eric Clapton. Also contains some cool references to
Shane.
5:06AM (Every Stranger's Eyes)
StevieG rating: 10/10
This is what Roger does best. His descriptions of all the situations where he can recognise himself in every stranger's eyes, is something that he continues throughout his career. It started with Dark Side of the Moon, and continues to this day. The empathy that he exhibits is one of his greatest strengths as a songwriter.
Eric Clapton's sympathetic guitar complements this track so perfectly, I almost want to meet the guy. And then, Roger turns it slightly to:
I recognise the hope you kindle in your eyes
Followed by the most beautiful guitar / piano solo I have heard in many a year. The drums help the resolution of this moment of clarity.
5:11AM (The Moment of Clarity)
StevieG rating: 10/10
It's the perfect way to end this album. He's resolved his issues to a degree and realised that what he needs is right in front of him.
This caps off an album that can be hard to listen to from the content exhibited, but which people around the world can relate to, even if they don't want to. The ending of this album is definitely hopeful.