If these are, indeed, the concluding sounds from Pink Floyd, the often-fractuous band’s last will and testament, then they have left us with a grace note.
It seems David Gilmour has grown to have a deeper understanding of the things his old band did, and the impact they made. But also, the understated role the late Richard Wright played and, perhaps most importantly, the way that petty arguments with Roger Waters ultimately became a distraction from their legacy.
“Louder Than Words” frames all of that, in an elegiac moment to finish out the forthcoming Endless River — an improbable Pink Floyd return some 20 years after their most recent album.
No, this newfound vista didn’t lead Gilmour back to a meaningful reunion with Waters, who departed in 1985 after summarily firing Wright. That never appeared to be in the cards. But there seems to be an outstretched hand to be found in the lyric, composed with help from Gilmour’s wife Polly Samson. Joined again by Nick Mason, the only figure to have appeared on every Pink Floyd release, Gilmour not only completed a series of long-unheard final Floyd works from Wright — he found some sense of peace (if not absolution) in moving past the band’s ugly split with Waters.
As such, “Louder Than Words” puts to rest old arguments, in a way that even the four-man lineup’s celebrated 2005 reunion for Live 8 couldn’t. Who can forget, really, the quickly departing Gilmour reluctantly turning back to rejoin Waters in the middle of the stage for a final bow? Even then, there didn’t seem to be as much perspective — one that gets right up to the edge, really, of forgiveness — as there is in this final song. Short of actually working together with Waters again, this is the best ending anyone would have hoped for from Pink Floyd.
- Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Rock + Pop): Death Cab for Cutie, Joe Jackson, Toto + Others - January 18, 2016
- Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Blues, Jazz + R&B): Boz Scaggs, Gavin Harrison, Alabama Shakes - January 10, 2016
- Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Reissues + Live): John Oates, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Faces + others - January 7, 2016
great song
I think this is going to be a nice album and good ending for Pink Floyd. I’ve read a lot of posts on this song. Some way “great”, others say “terrible”. One poster said… “we need another dark side of the moon”.
Bottom line: For a true floyd fan, someone who likes the deeper work of the band… More, Zabriski Point, Ummagumma, A Saucerful of Secrets… this album returns us to the roots of the band…when they would improvise and come up with a tune and develop it from there. This is it! Non-commercial, Gilmour, Wright and Mason (wish rog was here but he’s too far gone with his own pursuits) being themselves in the studio.
Works for me! I know I’ll love it!
I like the song, well constructed and produced, as usual. My 18 year old daughter likes it, that says a lot.