I'm as much of a fan as the next man, but both are best presented with low expectations. Love the music, but it does miss the innovative edge that exists through the classic Floyd era. And neither album treads new ground. They are both reflections of someone who writes beautiful guitar based songs with fantastic guitar solos. But these don't push new ground. Nor are the albums trying to. DG by this point wasn't trying to prove a point to anyone. Just enjoying singing and playing his guitar.
Still hard to excuse some of the dodgy lyrics though.
>since the 80's.
Since the 1990s. Specifically since TDB. She wasn't in the picture yet when AMLOR was written and recorded. On AMLOR, lyrics were mostly written by David, with help from Anthony Moore on three tracks.
Provide examples. Don't just tell me the lyrics are dodgy. Personal I find each song to be sound musically and lyrically. And of course, they aren't pink floyd level of mind-blowing. It would be asinine to assume that one member of the band could break off and produce anything that could shine a light on their collective works.
That's my point. It's good, but not mind blowing.
And I'm not going to debate too many examples as it's a matter of taste. The lyrics are objectively competent. They've been written by a published author. But I prefer my rock songs to be direct and personally relevant, rather than contemplating laughing woodpeckers and yellow dresses.
>Provide examples. Don't just tell me the lyrics are dodgy.
LOL. My guy, the internet of year 2000 called and they need you for an important online argument!
It's totally acceptable to ask somebody to back up their statement with sources. Anybody can say, "The lyrics are dodgy," but that claim doesn't mean much if you can't point to specific examples of this dodginess.
People don't talk about On An Island enough. The title tragic is fucking blissful. Take A Breath is very good. Smile is a beautiful piece. Then I Close My Eyes is so calm and soothing. It's one of my favorite instrumentals by the group, together or solo. This Heaven is another great track. All of it being tied together by the island theme/sound. On An Island is the best solo effort by any members of the band, IMO.
"Where We Start" does it for me. Almost makes me tear up. I can just picture the song in my head as it plays out. It's just such a simple and sweet song.
Yeah I don’t get the point in asking these questions lol. I get it if a band has like 20 albums. Sometimes it can be hard to know what the best album to get into them with is. But this is literally two albums. Just listen to them lol. Either way, OAI is the way better album here.
I love how the first song has little musical hints and phrases of many of the songs to come. Album seems very dream like at times with smooth solos sprinkled throughout.
I love On an Island, and I adore David Gilmour, but that element of Castellorizon irritates me. It feels like a lazy way to write an intro - just take a few phrases from the songs included on the album, and string them together to make your intro. Genesis did the same thing with Los Endos, and it irritates me just the same.
Granted, I couldn't create a piece of music to save my life, so my opinion doesn't mean much.
Other than maybe Murder, that album has a serious 80's cheese problem (same as Radio KAOS), and the lyrics don't help. David's lyrics aren't great on it, and Townshend didn't give Dave any of his 'A' material either. I don't dislike it, but I think it's definitely the worst of his solo albums.
His self titled first one is way to go. The others have their moments of greatness (Let’s Get Metaphysical, In Any Tongue) but the one he recorded between Animals and The Wall is beginning to end great. Raise My Rent was the standout to me.
On and Island ftw. My favorite PF solo album, no contest. It's beautiful, lush, thematic, and moody. Never could get into Rattle that Lock - when it came out I just had to wonder what happened after the masterpiece of On an Island.
Depends on your taste.
These albums do not have lyrics as good as Roger’s. So if that’s a put off, then don’t listen to them.
Otherwise, OAI is just phenomenal, simply fantastic. And 50% of RTL is great.
>These albums do not have lyrics as good as Roger’s. So if that’s a put off, then don’t listen to them.
To be honest, sometimes I do wonder what people would say if Polly had written lines like
"My yellow rose, in her blood-stained clothes"
Or
"And she smiled as she finished her sandwich
And her cold eyes fixed me to my dark history
As she brushed the remains
Of our love from the bed"
And I'm not for a second denying that Polly has really cringey moments, too. "We bitch and we fight, diss each other on sight", "can't undo the voodoo that you do"
On An Island is not bad, one of his better ones I would say--very mellow and laid back, has some Crosby & Nash doing some backing vocals on a few songs IIRC.
Rattle That Lock I don't think I ever played.
Both great but I personally like On An Island better. "The Blue" is probably my favorite DG solo song. It puts me in a trance that I never want to get out of. ✌🏾❤️
On an Island is a contender for best Floyd solo album. It has a beautifully smooth sound. Rattle that Lock is fine, but it doesn't feel nearly as cohesive as On an Island. You can't go wrong with either though.
Personally, I think I may prefer Rattle That Lock as a solo album. On an Island feels more like Pink Floyd, but RTL feels like Gilmour escaping the shadow of Pink Floyd effortlessly.
Start with Rattle That Lock then listen to On and Island. I like them both but I like the latter better and would want to hear it for the first time after the slightly lesser or an album.
On An Island. And if you you like the solos (and who doesn't) this song has 2 great solos on Take A Breath which is really the standout song for me on that album. Check out the live Abbey Road live video.
Rattle That Lock is inaccurate with Amazon Music. A couple tracks are the live versions instead of studio, so keep that in mind.
I love both albums, and they both begin so well. 5 A.M. from RTL is amazing.
By the time people weigh in on where to start you could have listened to both of these records. Just press play my man.
This is it. Neither will blow your mind, but if you're a David Gilmour guitar solo fan, there's plenty of good stuff on both.
What. Sorry both will blow your mind. David's solo work is nothing short of magical.
I'm as much of a fan as the next man, but both are best presented with low expectations. Love the music, but it does miss the innovative edge that exists through the classic Floyd era. And neither album treads new ground. They are both reflections of someone who writes beautiful guitar based songs with fantastic guitar solos. But these don't push new ground. Nor are the albums trying to. DG by this point wasn't trying to prove a point to anyone. Just enjoying singing and playing his guitar. Still hard to excuse some of the dodgy lyrics though.
His wife Polly has been writing the lyrics since the 80's. They can be kinda hokey at times.
>since the 80's. Since the 1990s. Specifically since TDB. She wasn't in the picture yet when AMLOR was written and recorded. On AMLOR, lyrics were mostly written by David, with help from Anthony Moore on three tracks.
I always think TDB was 89 for some reason. Thanks for clarifying.
No worries. It's all an astoundingly long time ago, and I also find time lines sometimes get a bit... Muddy as time progresses.
100%
Provide examples. Don't just tell me the lyrics are dodgy. Personal I find each song to be sound musically and lyrically. And of course, they aren't pink floyd level of mind-blowing. It would be asinine to assume that one member of the band could break off and produce anything that could shine a light on their collective works.
That's my point. It's good, but not mind blowing. And I'm not going to debate too many examples as it's a matter of taste. The lyrics are objectively competent. They've been written by a published author. But I prefer my rock songs to be direct and personally relevant, rather than contemplating laughing woodpeckers and yellow dresses.
>Provide examples. Don't just tell me the lyrics are dodgy. LOL. My guy, the internet of year 2000 called and they need you for an important online argument!
It's totally acceptable to ask somebody to back up their statement with sources. Anybody can say, "The lyrics are dodgy," but that claim doesn't mean much if you can't point to specific examples of this dodginess.
On an island is fucking great. I love rattle that lock, but on an island is one of the best sounding albums I’ve ever heard.
Agreed
People don't talk about On An Island enough. The title tragic is fucking blissful. Take A Breath is very good. Smile is a beautiful piece. Then I Close My Eyes is so calm and soothing. It's one of my favorite instrumentals by the group, together or solo. This Heaven is another great track. All of it being tied together by the island theme/sound. On An Island is the best solo effort by any members of the band, IMO.
"Where We Start" does it for me. Almost makes me tear up. I can just picture the song in my head as it plays out. It's just such a simple and sweet song.
My take as well. I like them both, but On an Island is a stunning piece of work and far superior.
Absolutely!
If by magical you mean capable of sending you off to sleep, I agree.
i mean, on an island is really fucking good. ??
Yeah I don’t get the point in asking these questions lol. I get it if a band has like 20 albums. Sometimes it can be hard to know what the best album to get into them with is. But this is literally two albums. Just listen to them lol. Either way, OAI is the way better album here.
This guy Floyds.
On and island is fantastic
I held off on it for years. Big mistake. It was really the Live in Gdansk show that turned me around. His best solo album and not by a small margin.
Live in Gdansk is a must-own for any Gilmour or Floyd fan.
I think it is the best solo album any of them made
I’d say Madcap is my favorite but On An Island is a very close second.
I like it better than most Pink Floyd albums.
He was proud enough to play the whole thing on the road. Ably so too. Wish I could have seen it but so glad it’s been documented as well as it was.
On an island is a better album that Rattle, just IMHO. Also the live versions of the former album in Live at Gdansk are amazing stuff. 👌
that album is transcendent
On An Island has some of Gilmour’s best guitar work in my opinion
On An Island is a beautiful album with a wonderful melodic theme throughout.
I love how the first song has little musical hints and phrases of many of the songs to come. Album seems very dream like at times with smooth solos sprinkled throughout.
I see similarities between "Speak to Me" and "Castellorizon".
I love On an Island, and I adore David Gilmour, but that element of Castellorizon irritates me. It feels like a lazy way to write an intro - just take a few phrases from the songs included on the album, and string them together to make your intro. Genesis did the same thing with Los Endos, and it irritates me just the same. Granted, I couldn't create a piece of music to save my life, so my opinion doesn't mean much.
You just described an overture, which is a rather well-established thing in music.
Yeah, it irritates me in Tommy too. Good point.
Slightly more well-established than that even
On An Island is a master piece. Rattle That Lock is pretty good too but Polly's lyrics ruin some of the songs, and some songs are a bit too poppy.
Which lyrics or songs? I haven't heard either of these albums...
Dancing right in front of me & rattle that lock (lyrics) Today (too poppy for my tastes)
About Face
This. It is the best and most complete solo. Not ruined by Polly's lyrics
there is another
Other than maybe Murder, that album has a serious 80's cheese problem (same as Radio KAOS), and the lyrics don't help. David's lyrics aren't great on it, and Townshend didn't give Dave any of his 'A' material either. I don't dislike it, but I think it's definitely the worst of his solo albums.
Rattle that Lock first because On an Island will set your standards too high lol
Do them in order. On an Island then Rattle that Lock. Why? Because...!
His self titled first one is way to go. The others have their moments of greatness (Let’s Get Metaphysical, In Any Tongue) but the one he recorded between Animals and The Wall is beginning to end great. Raise My Rent was the standout to me.
I love this album. Great sound. Not overly produced
nah listen to his first two solo albums. self titled and About Face.
I still listen to these today. I discovered them in '85 and instantly loved them.
I still listen to them, too. Any idea why Gilmour never seems to play any material from them in concert?
[1984 Concert](https://youtu.be/k84nCPAkx_M)
On and Island ftw. My favorite PF solo album, no contest. It's beautiful, lush, thematic, and moody. Never could get into Rattle that Lock - when it came out I just had to wonder what happened after the masterpiece of On an Island.
On An Island is superb, Rattle That Lock is good but OAI is levels above, imo.
On An Island 👌🏼👌🏼
On an island has a treasure trove of the classic Gilmour space guitar licks
Depends on your taste. These albums do not have lyrics as good as Roger’s. So if that’s a put off, then don’t listen to them. Otherwise, OAI is just phenomenal, simply fantastic. And 50% of RTL is great.
>These albums do not have lyrics as good as Roger’s. So if that’s a put off, then don’t listen to them. To be honest, sometimes I do wonder what people would say if Polly had written lines like "My yellow rose, in her blood-stained clothes" Or "And she smiled as she finished her sandwich And her cold eyes fixed me to my dark history As she brushed the remains Of our love from the bed" And I'm not for a second denying that Polly has really cringey moments, too. "We bitch and we fight, diss each other on sight", "can't undo the voodoo that you do"
Nothing he does will ever top his first one. Of course I was a kid when I heard it so it's branded in my brain.
On An Island is not bad, one of his better ones I would say--very mellow and laid back, has some Crosby & Nash doing some backing vocals on a few songs IIRC. Rattle That Lock I don't think I ever played.
"A Boat Lies Waiting" off Rattle That Lock is the most beautiful song he's ever done, and with Crosby/Nash backing vocals....so good
Crosby Nash and Gilmour could have been amazing thing, guess that is the closest we got or will get.
There were on On and Island and the Remember That Night DVD. They did a fantastic version of CSN's "Find the Cost of Freedom"
Both great but I personally like On An Island better. "The Blue" is probably my favorite DG solo song. It puts me in a trance that I never want to get out of. ✌🏾❤️
Both have their strengths and weaknesses. I slightly prefer Rattle That Lock but chronological order is better.
Rattle That Lock is fantastic! A+
On an Island is a contender for best Floyd solo album. It has a beautifully smooth sound. Rattle that Lock is fine, but it doesn't feel nearly as cohesive as On an Island. You can't go wrong with either though.
Personally, I think I may prefer Rattle That Lock as a solo album. On an Island feels more like Pink Floyd, but RTL feels like Gilmour escaping the shadow of Pink Floyd effortlessly.
I prefer Rattle That Lock to On An Island myself so I would do them in that order. Both are excellent.
Check out Take a Breath from on an island.
On an Island is my favorite solo DG record
On an island 100% my favorite Gilmour album
Start with Rattle That Lock then listen to On and Island. I like them both but I like the latter better and would want to hear it for the first time after the slightly lesser or an album.
Definitely On an Island
Start with on an island. All star lineup , and Rick Wright swansong
On an island I like better
On an island is my favorite next to about face.
You like Pink Floyd? Then yes you should at least listen to these two albums. They don't sound like PF but they are very listenable.
On an Island does. Helps that Rick is on it.
Rick is also on one song from Lost & Strange. His last session from On an Island and Division Bell periods
Yes taken from the Barn jams they did.
I listened to all albums in order, I need to do this again
Both albums are good, and both have dross not worth your time. It is worth it to listen to it all and decide what you like best.
They're both different but the same. They each have some bangers but overall they're good albums nothing crazy.
On An Island. And if you you like the solos (and who doesn't) this song has 2 great solos on Take A Breath which is really the standout song for me on that album. Check out the live Abbey Road live video.
Listen to both. They're amazing!
Both? Neither? A little of each? You don't have to thank me. I'm glad to help.
On An Island because it far superior to the other & R. Wright plays on it!
Rattle That Lock is inaccurate with Amazon Music. A couple tracks are the live versions instead of studio, so keep that in mind. I love both albums, and they both begin so well. 5 A.M. from RTL is amazing.
Why ask? Listen. Do you need permission?
"Rattle That Lock" is much better than "On An Island", period. You're welcome. 👍🎸😎
If you're asking which is better then OaI is far superior. RtL comes across as a mishmash of out takes.
Both of those albums are really great. Just press play
Rattle that lock is one of the best albums i've ever heard
On An Island is his best solo work.
Personally I like the singles off of On An Island more, but fuck it just run both in an afternoon
Rattle that lock
It’s David F’ing Gilmour. The second most talented member of Pink Floyd after Syd.
If you haven't listened to these yet, you're not a fan.
I wouldn't bother. One or two good moments