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On an Island | 
| Artist: David Gilmour
Label: EMI
Category: Music
List Price: £15.99
Buy Used: £2.28
as of 22/11/2009 10:14 GMT details
You Save: £13.71 (86%)
New (30) Used (17) Collectible (3) from £2.28
Seller: zoverstocks
Rating:  121 reviews
Sales Rank: 6932
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.8 x 0.2
UPC: 094635569520
EAN: 0094635569520
ASIN: B000E5L89S
Release Date: March 6, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Castellorizon | | • | On An Island | | • | The Blue | | • | Take A Breath | | • | Red Sky At Night | | • | This Heaven | | • | Then I Close My Eyes | | • | Smile | | • | A Pocketful Of Stones | | • | Where We Start |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
The title of David Gilmour's third solo album may be some clue as to his whereabouts since Pink Floyd's swansong IThe Division Bel/Il. That period of near-silence has now given way to a flurry of solo touring and glorious charitable reunions, which are enough to make you forget it's been over a decade since we last heard anything new from the band or its remaining members. All this has changed now with the arrival of IOn An Island/I. p Immaculately crafted with sundry high-profile guests, the album rolls along gently, only cutting loose on "Take A Breath" (reminiscent of "Yet Another Movie"). Lyrically, don't expect any Floydian angst here; Polly Samson's words are dominated by familial contentment and emotional warmth. This may understandably jar with the expected lyrical subjects, but it adds another facet to Gilmour's persona. Musically, all of the trademark soaring mercurial guitars and crashing epics are in place, and there are moments of pure Floyd on the title track and "The Blue" both of which feature Richard Wright. These two tracks are the standouts, alongside the gentle "Smile", and rank among Gilmour's best work, and help make this album as essential as anything from his former band's catalogue. --IThom Allott/I
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 121
 Gimour chills out July 22, 2006
Mitch (Norwich, UK)
54 out of 57 found this review helpful
It's far too easy these days, with aging rock stars, to say they have nothing to prove anymore. However, if it applies to anyone, it applies to David Gilmour, who, as with the rest of Pink Floyd, has well and truly placed himself in the rock and roll hall of fame after Live 8. The charity concert last year brought their music to a wider audience, and everyone from teenagers to those who remember Syd Barrett in the band, were once again listening to their records and buying their CDs.
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br / So, its well timed then, that just as the hype has died down, Gilmour releases another solo album, his third, although in truth its not much different to 1994's Pink Floyd release The Division Bell, in which Gilmour, Mason and Wright teamed to create an album that showed it could be done without Waters. Where as Roger Waters' ambitious opera Ca Ira, won't cement his place in modern classical music (he'd say he had nothing left to prove in the rock world), and didn't have the punters rushing forward, Gilmour's On An Island should appeal to any Floyd fan.
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br / Despite Roger waters' egoistic remarks on his own part in the band, Gilmour's new album shows just what he brought to Pink Floyd. On the album he showcases just what he's good at- guitar solos that can move you to tears, lyrics that are heartfelt, and music that is timeless. There's more than a hint of Pink Floyd circa Obscured By Clouds and Meddle, again highlighting that Gilmour was a driving force in the band. Stylistically it closely represents The Division Bell, which is not to say it's a poor imitation. Gilmour's songs have a sad truth to them, an older, wiser Gilmour is singing here, but happily not referring to I-pods or mobile phones, like many older musicians feel they have to, to make themselves fit in to the modern music scene.
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br / All in all, this is a strong release from David Gilmour, he captures the `Island' feel, making this a great one for the summer. His playing is as good as it has ever been, he even plays the saxophone on one track. Here is a man who is happy with his lot in live and is creating music he loves.
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Smile! March 20, 2006
L. Hutchinson (Newcastle Upon Tyne, Britain)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
I have been a Pink Floyd fan for a few years now (5 years if you must know) but I am rather ashamed to admit that this is my first David Gilmour album that I have purchased. I bought Roger Waters solo albums first then #8220;Broken China#8221; by Richard Wright. To be honest I am glad that I have waited. My first Gilmour album that I have purchased is truly fantastic!pThere is little to say other than that this album is wonderful. It is controlled, measured and wonderfully relaxing to listen to, and is also deep. The music is melancholy and yet lovingly endearing. There are subtle hints to Gilmour#8217;s past musical triumphs. In the opening track, #8220;Castellorizon#8221; there are a few minutes that remind us of the psychedelic doodling that Gilmour excelled at on the Floyd album #8220;A Saucerful of Secrets#8221;. Of course it isn#8217;t heavy, just lilting and enjoyable to listen to.pThe only track that I was unsure of was #8220;Take A Breath#8221; but after a second listen it has grown. The entire album is wonderful. It is calm, reflective and everything that makes a wonderful album. I could quite easily listen to this album everyday. If you are expecting Floyd than you are a fool: you will get hints of Floyd via some of the guitar work but this is Gilmour doing his solo work: and thank goodness. We have the Floyd albums; we don#8217;t need any one member doing a solo album trying to do a pale imitation of the group they were once in. Floyd was a collective work of all members. Also don#8217;t come to this album expecting Waters! Waters is concerned with mainly political issues, which he finely demonstrated with his last album #8220;Amused to Death#8221;. Gilmour is treating us to one thing that we tend to forget when coming to Floyd member#8217;s music: ourselves! This is a personal album for Gilmour and yet as an 18 year old I can easily tap into its personal emotion.pThere is nothing I can say other than buy this album. You will not be disappointed. The music ranges from rock to jazz and blues in a coherent manor, with perhaps a hint of folk. Excel it its lilting and yet emotional music. pEnjoy!
Brilliant March 21, 2006
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
I got this album a couple days ago and I was not disapointed with it. I was watching a late night programme on Channel 4 about the making of the album. Gilmour seemed to put a lot into this record and I think he and all the talented artists who offered their skills to produce #x27;On an Island#x27; deserve credit. The two highlights of the album for me are the title track, #x27;On an Island#x27; and #x27;Take a Breath#x27;. Other highlights include #x27;The Blue#x27; and #x27;Smile#x27;. The Pink Floyd sound is still heard in a lot of Gilmour#x27;s excellent guitar playing and harmony vocals. However it is wrong to compare this album with previous Floyd material. Its a great album to chill out too also! Get it
an artist true to himself June 29, 2007
Mr. M. A. Reed (Somewhere, GB)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
What is obvious to man and beast is that if David Gilmour were in this for the paycheque and the ego, he'd've got in a different drummer, put the words "Pink" and "Floyd" on the spine, and toured the Tulsa Enormodome for $400 a ticket to aging babyboomers trying to relive their past.
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br /Unashamedly personal, "On An Island" dispenses with the grandoise, widescreen miserabilism of Gilmour's previous records with Pink Floyd, in favour of an understated, intimate setting. Despite the obvious aural similarities, the mournful whalesong guitar, the precise and soft keyboard lines - you can take the man out the Floyd, but not the Floyd from the man - this is very clearly the work of a man alone.
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br /The songs are smaller, more intimate, their arrangements are simpler, the production is uncluttered, sparse. There's a sense that nothing be hurried, that there is time enough, that everything will unfold. That the intriacies and complications of modern life are mere detritus blown by the wind in our faces. The discreet and understated feel to this album make it clear that this is not a record built for stadiums, but for the heart.
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br /Leadoff single and title track "On An Island" glides like a bird over a mountain range.Somehow remote, distant, removed from the world. It also features some blistering guitar work that proves that Gilmour could record one 60 minute guitar solo and it would still - probably - be interesting to listen to.
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br /Lyrically it's clear that Gilmour is, most obviously, the luckiest man in the world. Rarely have I heard an album as content, as lacking in angst and emotional depth. One could even say that, at first listen, the record sounds like the bland lovesongs of a man at peace. And there is nothing wrong with this per-se, (only a fool would wish emotional hardship on anyone just so we could have better records to listen to), but the emotional variation of great records means that "On An Island" sounds as if it was created in a blissful emotional vacuum. The only song that really hints at the emotional urgency and vague annoyance of late period Floyd is "Take A Breath". (Which, incidentally, is the undoubted highlight of the current live set).
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br /Anyone of these songs could sit comfortably on the later incarnation of Pink Floyd, and whilst any of them could, putting all of these songs together makes it clear that Gilmour no longer needs the Floyd. He's not in it for the money, or the ego, or the gratification. If he were he'd've cleaned out and used the name of his former band and grossed the GNP of a small country for a few months work. In that respect, the dogged refusal to take the easy option should really only be commended.
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br /Age is proof that one need not mellow, and if one does mellow, it is more to match the world that changes around us. "On An Island" is the assured work of a man true to himself and his art alone - which is perhaps the best type of artist there is.
Read what's on the box... June 2, 2006
nicjaytee (London)
28 out of 31 found this review helpful
Because this isn't Pink Floyd or an attempt to recreate Pink Floyd... and there's absolutely no reason to expect it to be so. What it is - and what the title, cover art and credits clearly imply it is - is an album of mellow music by a hugely talented experienced 60 year old rock star and his friends. Sure large parts of it sound like Pink Floyd on tranquilisers but that's hardly surprising given Gilmour's immense vocal, instrumental and melodic influence on the group's past work... you can't change the way the man sings plays but reviewing it in the context of where Pink Floyd were or where you might hope they should be is unfair and ridiculously myopic.
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br /So, having taken time to read the box, does it live up to expectations? Well there's no likelihood of David Gilmour being visited by his local Trade Descriptions office here because what it delivers is exactly what you should expect: a set of high quality, immaculately played and often quite beautifully reflective laid-back rock songs. Nothing more and nothing less. And, if you're prepared to accept it for what it is, you're in for a real treat as you're gradually drawn into one of the best albums of its type out there - and, if you're not, well maybe it's time to lock away your preconceptions and accept that people, even ageing rock stars, change... sometimes for the better.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 121
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