"The tunes that inspired the Pink Floyd's last album, The Endless River, are popular among those who enjoy a 'big spliff', apparently causing anxiety in the presence of dogs or The Wall."
Pink Floyd's Final Album, 'The Endless River', Pays Homage to the Band's Rich Past
Pink Floyd's final album, The Endless River, released in 2014, is a poignant tribute to the band's illustrious history. The album, created by David Gilmour and Nick Mason using previously recorded material with the late keyboardist Richard Wright, draws heavily on the band's mid-career sonic identity.
The musical and emotional tone of The Endless River is reminiscent of the albums Wish You Were Here (1975) and The Dark Side of the Moon (1973). The album's title is a deliberate reference to Pink Floyd's past, and it serves as a culmination of the band's ambient and instrumental style from the early 1970s.
One of the most notable influences on The Endless River is the 27-minute suite "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a key track from Wish You Were Here that conveyed themes of loss and longing. These themes permeate The Endless River, making it a fitting tribute to former leader Syd Barrett. In fact, "It's What We Do" on the new album could almost be a composite of the second and ninth part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond."
The album also nods generously to various moments from Pink Floyd's past, including "A Saucerful Of Secrets," "Echoes," and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." The drizzle of "Ebb And Flow" evokes the mood of "Echoes," a 23-and-a-half-minute centerpiece from the album Meddle that captures the high-water mark of space-rock era Floyd.
The works from Meddle also inspired the atmospheric and experimental feel of The Endless River. The album's patchwork structure, known as "The Big Spliff," continues the Pink Floyd tradition of long instrumental passages and sonic exploration.
During the production of The Endless River, there was a willingness to approach a variety of styles and improvisations, including Krautrock and free jazz influences. This experimental spirit can be heard in tracks like "One Of These Days," which features a sound that influenced "Sum" on the new album.
The album also marks the return of the suite, a portentous piece of grandeur that offers a glimpse of the 'other Floyd' - the Wright/Gilmour axis rather than Barrett/Waters; light instead of darkness. "Us And Them" (1973) from The Dark Side of the Moon is a cherished Floyd melody that was part of the "Eclipse" suite and has been brought into the 21st century on the new album.
In summary, The Endless River canalizes the mood, sound, and spirit of Wish You Were Here and The Dark Side of the Moon, especially pieces like "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," as well as the experimental ambient style that Pink Floyd developed in Meddle. This final album serves as a tribute and a culmination of the band's mid-career sonic identity, making it an irresistible tribute to Pink Floyd's music.
- The album's title, a deliberate reference to Pink Floyd's past, is a culmination of their ambient and instrumental style from the early 1970s, similar to the band's works like Meddle.
- The album's patchwork structure, known as "The Big Spliff," continues the Pink Floyd tradition of long instrumental passages and sonic exploration, reminiscent of tracks like "Echoes."
- The most notable influences on The Endless River are the albums Wish You Were Here and The Dark Side of the Moon, with the musical and emotional tone drawing heavily on the band's mid-career sonic identity.
- "It's What We Do" on the new album could almost be a composite of the second and ninth part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a key track from Wish You Were Here.
- The drizzle of "Ebb And Flow" evokes the mood of "Echoes," a 23-and-a-half-minute centerpiece from the album Meddle.
- During the production of The Endless River, there was a willingness to approach a variety of styles and improvisations, including Krautrock and free jazz influences.
- "One Of These Days," which features a sound that influenced "Sum" on the new album, showcases the experimental spirit heard throughout The Endless River.
- The return of the suite in The Endless River offers a glimpse of the 'other Floyd' – the Wright/Gilmour axis rather than Barrett/Waters; light instead of darkness, with "Us And Them" (1973) from The Dark Side of the Moon being brought into the 21st century on the new album.
