Pink Floyd fans have praised David Gilmour’s debut solo album as the “best” of any band member’s discography.
Discussing the self-titled solo album, which released in 1978, some fans were left saying it is their “favourite Pink Floyd album”. Gilmour’s solo effort was released just a year before Pink Floyd’s The Wall and has been regarded as an “amazing” piece of guitar work. One user wrote: “Thoughts on Gilmour’s debut album? I own it on vinyl and I can confidently say that it is my favourite Pink Floyd album. I like it better than all the actual Pink Floyd albums. Such a great album, his guitar work is amazing.”
Though some users praised the album, few saw it as better than Pink Floyd’s body of work. One user wrote: “I think it’s a solid album. Have to put On an Island and Rattle That Lock ahead of it but certainly better than About Face.” Another user replied: “Which isn’t saying much because About Face is a fucking mess.” A third added: “It’s got some gems though. Cruise, Murder, Until We Sleep.”
Others believed it to be one of the very best Pink Floyd solo albums around, with David Gilmour praised for some of its “excellent” songs. Tracks like Mihalis, Raise My Rent and No Way Out of Here were praised by one user. Another heaped praise onto No Way Out of Here also, and called it “my favourite on that album.”
The song is a cover of a band named Unicorn, with Gilmour having produced the track for the band. He liked it so much he then covered the song for his debut album. Another user agreed with the original poster who claimed it was the best Pink Floyd-related album. They wrote: “Best solo work of any member of Floyd. Great album.”
Another replied: “There are a many good and even great solo projects by members of Floyd, but I stand to say I think Gilmour takes the cake. Is Cry From The Street not among Gilmours best rhythm guitar tone?”
Thoughts on Gilmour's 1978 Debut Album?
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A third user added: “Was an amazing album and the solo album I’d probably feel most comfortable showing a friend. Would probably put Is This The Life We Really Want one spot after this.” Praise continued for David Gilmour and Raise My Rent was singled out by one user, who added: “It kicks ass. The screaming emotional blues guitar licks on Raise My Rent – righteous!”
Some remain disappointed with the album, though. One user wrote: “Not a bad effort. Unfortunately the best song off it is a cover.” Another replied: “But he did produce the original song, so he already had a pretty big effect on the song.” A third added: “Producing it does not have as big of an effect on the song as I’m sure you’ve been led to believe. He didn’t write it, and the production isn’t stellar or lavish. Just kinda generic for what it is.”
Others say they preferred the version Gilmour produced, rather than his version. They wrote: “It’s a decent song but by no means a chart topper. I personally prefer Unicorns’s original version – has more nuance and creativity to it, but they’re both good. Gilmour’s version seems to be just filtered through the standard PF sound-producing processing unit without any noticeable changes to the structure. Undoubtedly uncritical Floyd fans love that. Not a fan at all of Monster Magnets version – I find it to be unlistenable. But to each their own.”
Back in 1978 when Gilmour’s and Wrights albums both came out, there was a hint of Floyd in both. David’s more so, but I hold both in high regard. Even now after all these years it is relaxing and soothing to listen to either one or even both in an afternoon.
I like “About Face” too.
I like that album but I also like About Face. I don’t think it’s “a f@#$ing mess” at all. “Blue Light” should have been a hit and “You Know I’m Right” is as powerful a cut down to Roger as “How Do You Sleep” is to Paul McCartney.
This is one of my all-time favorite albums, right up there with Wish You Were Here and DSoTM. None of Gilmour’s other solo albums did very much for me, although as others have said, “About Face” had a couple of okay tracks. I did like Richard Wright’s solo album, and I like Waters’ “Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking” (c’mon, you can’t go wrong with Clapton on guitar and David Sanborn on sax!). While Waters’ other solo albums have had a decent track or two as well, none of them (aside from “The Wall” live in Berlin — which is a different beast altogether) is what I would call a good album.
To my mind at least, PF is much greater than the sum of it’s individual parts. When Waters, Gilmour, Wright and Mason are together and firing on all cylinders, it’s magic. Remove any one of them from the mix, and what you have left is greatly diminished.