Like most of the world, I was really excited to hear that Pink Floyd released a new album in 1983. While I was beginning to wean myself off being influenced by what others said about a particular album in my decision to buy it, it wasn't the case here. "The Final Cut," at least in my surroundings was slammed mercilessly by deejays, critics and some people I knew who bought it. Therefore, I didn't. After all, it seemed everybody was saying that the album sucked.
What I and many other people should have realized back then was that any album from Pink Floyd would have a very difficult time following up their mega giant, "The Wall." That album will always been known as one of the greatest albums of all time, as was their other classic, "Dark Side of the Moon." Now as I am much older and wiser, (that's a matter for debate), I am able to listen to "The Final Cut" with a much more open mind.
First and foremost, "The Final Cut" doesn't suck in the least but I will make the predictable statement that it doesn't compare to either of the two classic albums shown above. In fact, I hear reminders of both those albums and their 1977 "Animals" album in it. Except unlike that last mentioned album, there are no ten minute long songs on this album. Saying that, on this album, Pink Floyd do make use of sound effects, which was trademark for them throughout the 1970s and early 80s. But what I noticed straight away is that the songs, at least the first few, take shots at Margaret Thatcher.
What Roger Waters was trying to convey in the album was his frustration of seeing all of the liberal achievements made after World War II, where he lost his father, being eroded away by the election of Thatcher. In the very first song, Waters asks "What have we done, Maggie, what have we done? What have we done to England?" I admit that in 1983, lyrics like these would have been lost on me but today I totally understand the meaning.
Maybe it was the fact that many people weren't quite ready for music to become too political at the time. My eyes were only opening up to such things. However, I think the music to the album is very typical of Pink Floyd and is why I loved listening to them all of these years. Like with any Floyd album, I could easily pop this one on, kick back on the couch and get absorbed into it while puffing the magic dragon. Only now, I would appreciate the lyrics to the songs much more. For me, the standout songs are the title track and "Not Now John," which I now remember hearing on the radio and watching the video for back then.
Track Listing:
- Post War Dream
- Your Possible Pasts
- One of the Few
- The Hero's Return
- The Gunner's Dream
- Paranoid Eyes
- Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert
- The Fletcher Memorial Home
- Southampton Dock
- The Final Cut
- Not Now John
- Two Suns in the Sunset
Roger Waters- vocals, bass
David Gilmour- guitar, vocals
Nick Mason- drums
Additional Musicians
Michael Kamen- piano, harmonium
Andy Bown- organ
Ray Cooper- percussion
Raphael Ravenscroft- tenor sax
Forget what the critics said, "The Final Cut" is a good album from Pink Floyd. It contains all that I came to love about this band. Unfortunately, it would be the last one that this particular line up would record together.
Next post: Todd Rundgren- The Ever Tortured Artist Effect
To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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