Description:
Few would disagree that ever since Roger Waters divorced himself from Pink Floyd in 1983 both of the estranged parties have been less effective for the lack of the others' involvement. Not that the years have been wasted, as Flickering Flame--a compilation of key tracks from Waters's solo albums as well as hitherto unheard material--amply demonstrates. Anyone who imagined that Waters's personal and understandably heartfelt ruminations on the loss of a father he never knew (killed at Anzio during World War II) on The Final Cut--the last Floyd album to feature Waters at the helm and practically his solo album in all but name--wou
Few would disagree that ever since Roger Waters divorced himself from Pink Floyd in 1983 both of the estranged parties have been less effective for the lack of the others' involvement. Not that the years have been wasted, as Flickering Flame--a compilation of key tracks from Waters's solo albums as well as hitherto unheard material--amply demonstrates. Anyone who imagined that Waters's personal and understandably heartfelt ruminations on the loss of a father he never knew (killed at Anzio during World War II) on The Final Cut--the last Floyd album to feature Waters at the helm and practically his solo album in all but name--would prove to be an ultimately cathartic moment of self-exorcism has underestimated the extent to which Waters still experiences frustration at the world's inability to sort itself out. Like Aussie-Scot folk protester Eric Bogle and The The's Matt Johnson, Waters is happiest (unhappiest?) when addressing the futility of self-serving international aggression and socio-political inequality, the ubiquity of which in his material's subject matter can make any Roger Waters album an exacting experience for all but the diehard pacifist Pink Floyd fan. Even so, Waters is articulate, earnest, and portentous (if occasionally pompous), and moments like the cable TV-inspired satire of war as a narcissistic, armchair spectator sport on "Perfect Sense," the glimmers of hope in "Each Small Candle" (inspired by a small instance of Serbian kindness during the Kosovo conflict), and the lullaby of "The Tide Is Turning" all represent him at his most powerfully literate peak. Of the previously unreleased material, a straight cover of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"--from the score of the Israeli film The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field--is the best, it being impossible to disassociate from the tragedy of Dunblane, an event which probably angered Waters no end. Less essential is "Flickering Flame"--which is sung in a silly hick-town hillbilly accent--and "Lost Boys Calling" (original demo) which is off-puttingly out of tune. --Kevin Maidment
Album Description
'Flickering Flame' is a definite 2002 retrospective covering Rogers solo career to date encompassing songs from his 3 solo albums and his live release. Features a unique, unreleased cover of Dylan's 'Knockin on Heavens Door', plus two new tracks performed live and a remix of 'Who Needs Information'. Tracks, 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door', 'Too Much Rope', 'The Tide Is Turning (After Live Aid)', 'Perfect Sense (Part I)', 'Perfect Sense (Part Ii)', 'Three Wishes', '5:06Am (Every Strangers Eyes)', 'Who Needs Information', 'Each Small Candle', 'Flickering Flame (New Demo)', 'Towers Of Faith', 'Radio Waves' & 'Lost Boys Calling (Original Demo)'. 12 tracks. Slipcase. No US release is currently scheduled.
Album Details
A Definitive Retrospective Covering Rogers Solo Career Encompassing Songs from his Three Solo Albums and his Live Album. Features a Unique, Unreleased Cover of Dylan' 'knockin on Heaven' Door'plus Two Tracks Performed Live and a Remixes of 'who Needs Information'
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Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia
Release date: 30 April 2002
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 9399700100426 UPC: 766488791723
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