I am just finishing up listening to AMLOR. Its the first time I've listened to it the whole way through. I have to say that it is pretty solid. Its not like their other stuff, and has that 80's beat to it. I think its pretty good and underrated by a lot of people. It's not near my favorite PF albums, but, its not a bad album.
It starts out well, with that watery sound with signs of life. Learning to Fly is a great song with a great beat. The Dogs of War isn't a terrible song, but it is odd. One Slip is pretty good, with good singing. On The Turning Away is a solid song. Yet Another Movie has a slow, dark churned sound. A New Machine(Parts 1 & 2) is ok. Terminal Frost is not bad. And Sorrow is ok.
Overall, I think this is a solid album. Its not in the caliber of there other stuff, and I'm fully aware that Roger is not in the group. What are your takes on the album?
It's got maybe 3 good songs, maybe 1 or two somewhat decent songs, the rest is just awful
I like On the Turning Away and One Slip, that's really about it
I'm not saying all the songs are good, but I feel its underrated. There's only a few songs that I would play by itself, but I don't feel that the album is terrible. Its not a great or fantastic piece of work, but it has a certain feel that stays throughout. Its listenable, even though thats not a word.
it's a great album..I like it start to finish, it comes across even better performed live...I say highly under-rated considering Dave was saving the band at that point.
I agree, Cevor. It is underrated considering that Dave had to hire a ton of people to help him. It was a good effort.
Waldo Jeffers Wrote:It's got maybe 3 good songs, maybe 1 or two somewhat decent songs, the rest is just awful
I like On the Turning Away and One Slip, that's really about it
Well I think the whole album is good but not great. The songs you mentioned are the best ones for sure so you're right. The rest aren't awful tho... (would have been better with the excitement of Roger)
It's a great album considering the pressure that Dave was under, also "Delicate Sound of Thunder" has some brilliant live versions of the AMLOR songs.
"Sorrow" is very good considering Dave is the only Floyd member to on it. People are always saying that "The Dogs of War" is an aweful song, I don't think it is, the live versions are much better anyway.
I go through long periods without listening to the album. When I rediscover it eventually, I always enjoy it overall.
"Signs Of Life" is a great opener, setting up the expected feel of a Floyd record....and it was done really well live with the minimal lasers. "Learning To Fly" might be the one song here that I prefer the studio version to the lives. There's just something about it, in spite of sounding very 80's. I think a lot of it has to do with Jon Carin's keyboard, which was the germ of fruition for the melody. "Dogs Of War" has cringe-worthy lyrics that should be an embarassment to any self respecting Floydian, although that sax and guitar soloing is so awesome, it actually manages to salvage the rest of the song. Again, it was great live, with the German Shepherds and the guy on the beach film footage. A truly badass Floydian moment. "One Slip" features Tony Levin's bass prowess, so how can you go whong? A little oddity in the Floyd catalog, that definitely falls into the Gilmour solo vein.....but at the same time, adds a cool tempo change to the album. "On The Turning Away" is probably the best of the bunch. A truly complete song, lyrically and musically.....and even better live!
"Yet Another Movie" I've always really liked. Dark and foreboding. I actually once blew a set of speakers on that guitar solo, whilst inspired to crank it all the way up ("Waiting For The Worms" did it another time), so it's got my ongoing respect for that alone. The "Machines" are merely filler to me, and usually skip overs. "Terminal Frost" is my favorite from 'Lapse'. I love a good instrumental, and post-Roger Floyd's real strong suit, in my opinion, is in their instrumental work. In concert, it was probably the most beautiful spectacle of sight and sound I've witnessed at a live show....and the sax solo got the first of many standing ovations that night in Tampa. "Sorrow" is troublesome for me on the record. I loved it back in the 80's, but now I find it very hard to listen to on the 'Lapse' record. The drum sound, in particular, is just horrid. I do love the song performed live though, and will go on to suggest that no other Floyd song benefits more from live performance.
I remember when this came out, and I was very proud of the boys for their first effort without Roger. I played the hell out of it, in fact. And the concerts were brilliant, with their "new" record being featured throughout the first half, in a different running order.
Great memories, and an enjoyable album!
I would say right now that One Slip is my facorite on the album. Learning to Fly is a close second. Signs of Life is a great opener. The other songs I have to listen to again to tell which is which because I'm not familiar with the record enough.
It's got several good songs, but taken as a whole
(which is how a lot of other Floyd LP's should be listened to),
it's lacking