REVIEW: 'On an Island' Stays True to Floyd

03/06/2006 4:44 PM, AP
Jim Bessman

Since "On an Island" is David Gilmour's first solo album since 1984's "About Face" (and first studio recording since Pink Floyd's 1994 "The Division Bell"), his label — perhaps wanting to jog the memory of music fans — is selling the point that he's "the voice and guitar of Pink Floyd."

No need to worry: "On an Island" matches up with the best of Floyd — unlike "Ca Ira," last years operatic effort from the groups departed founding member Roger Waters.

The opening foghorn sound and billowing, classical-tinged overture herald the album's aquatic undercurrents, and lead into an atmospheric title track buoyed by the familiar backup voices of David Crosby and Graham Nash. Present, too, are Pink Floyd's organist Richard Wright and early guitarist Rado Klose; broadening this Floyd stylistic base are co-producer Phil Manzanera (Roxy Musics guitarist) and orchestrator Zbigniew Preisner, the renowned Polish film composer.

"The Blue," then, offers a languorous seascape, while instrumental "Then I Close My Eyes" dreamily employs dobro-like Hawaiian guitar, cornet and even glass harmonica. "Take a Breath" starts a three-song centerpiece with Gilmour's guitar play emptying into his jazzy saxophone instrumental "Red Sky at Night," which in turn flows into the bluesy "This Heaven."

The ironically titled finisher "Where We Start" caps Gilmours auspicious return with an airy melody and time-themed, Floyd-worthy lyrics.