I've been a fan since 1985 but after AMLOR I lost interest in their new stuff so I just never bothered with DB. Till now.

I read reviews that compared it more favorably to AMLOR, some saying it was almost as like Gilmour returning to the pre-DSOTM time instead of AMLOR's 'Let's make an album that sounds like Pink Floyd'.

I've listened to the Division Bell three time so far but I've got to say I'm struggling to find any merit at all in it. I guess I'm old school and I can appreciate it if some people here like and I'm not meaning to sound superior, but can you point to me any part of it you think is good?

Yeah, after the touring of A Momentary Lapse Of Reason and subsequent album release, Delicate Sound Of Thunder of the late '80's it felt to me that the group was done. Then the music scenes changed a bit and the alternative/grunge/sub pop influence exploded so much that by 1994, new music from Pink Floyd was not that interesting to me. I heard "Keep Talking", "What Do You Want From Me" and "Take It Back" on the radio fairly often but for some reason that was all the satisfaction I needed from the new Pink Floyd. And it was not until coming to this forum however long ago that I had the desire and expendable income to go back and gamble on the Division Bell album.
There are a few other threads going on talking about The Division Bell and I know that you are just getting started on the forum. But you will find quite a supply of opinions and discussions on the music and many topics. Just remember that these are mostly opinions and discussions and what influences you is what matters. Welcome to the forum.
"Keep Talking" is still one of my favorites from that album. The Steve Hawkins vocoder dealio really works. The message of lack of communication is clear in the lyrics and vocals. I do admit that I did not pay much attention to "Wearing The Inside Out" until sometime last year when I read a few discussions on the forum.
The Division Bell is not my choice for Pink Floyd album you least enjoy but it is very close to the bottom.

I love the album, give it a damn chance.
Take it Back, Lost For words, Coming Back To Life, High Hopes.
I could go thru them all. Good Stuff.

I love The Division Bell, both musically and lyrically... pretty much every song... the whole concept, the communication theme... and the way you can relate many of the lyrics to different aspects of life, depending on what you're going through at the time. Being that I'm a lyric-focused person, I had kinda overlooked the instrumental Marooned until just a few years ago, but now it really speaks emotional volumes to me, much the same way Great Gig in the Sky always has.

--Vik

no comment.

The division bell is a great album in its own right. I know how you felt, a couple days ago I got tdb for my birthday, at first I wasnt too into the new sound, but after a couple listens I learned to appriciate the awesome vocals and new sound. Unlike 1987's amlor its not corny 80's rock. Its just plain rock for and sounds more along the lines of 70;s classic floyd. Its not as good as animals or anything from 1970-1980, but marks a new sound of floyd. in my opinion its a great album. the only problem on it is that the solos all sound the same, except on high hopes and a great day for freedom.

Great topic in my case, because I am also a fan of the older stuff--though I enjoy AMLoR--and am listening to The Division Bell for the first time as of late. I've gone through it once and I'm with Wanwo for the large portion; they just didn't sound like they cared anymore. It was JUST okay. This is the same band that came out with Dark Side of the Moon, for goodness sake.

The Division Bell is in my Top 4-5 of their overall albums. I think it's damn good. High Hopes, Keep Talking, Coming Back To Life, Poles Apart, Wearing The Inside Out, Cluster One....divine.

I still havn't listened to it myself, but I've really wanted to get around to it.
But after seeing this thread, I think now is about time :)
I'll post with my thoughts of the album once I've had a couple listens.


edit: I've listened. I like it. Compared to the other Floyd albums I've listened too, it's not as good...but compared to most other music, it's pretty good. Only a few tracks really stood out, but everything else was solid, no weak spots.
I will give this a 7/10.