Roger Waters: 'Is This the Life We Really Want?' | Review

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  • Опубликовано: 28 окт 2024

Комментарии • 98

  • @simonbarnes8303
    @simonbarnes8303 2 года назад +10

    You don't have to share his bleak view of the world to like Waters output. He tells you what he thinks and you either agree or you don't but the music and lyrics can still be admired. To me this is the best post Pink Floyd solo album by any of its members. Well worth the wait.

  • @sspbrazil
    @sspbrazil 2 года назад +2

    When this album came out I tried to listen to it, but the timing wasn’t right for me, it was in a time in my life where things weren’t going too well and I had a hard time getting through it and it fell flat on me, it was too bleak, I’ll have to give it another listen to it after your review Barry. Good job.

  • @theworldaccordingto4555
    @theworldaccordingto4555 2 года назад +12

    Waters is one of the best lyricists this country has ever produced.

  • @Captain_Rhodes
    @Captain_Rhodes 2 года назад +16

    Waters is still relevant. In fact hes more relevant at nearly 80 years old than most 25 year olds making music today. While Gilmore and the others are firmly part of the establishment, Waters is still the same guy who made all those great albums in the 70's. Still angry, still engaged and still himself

    • @ArmandoMPR
      @ArmandoMPR 2 года назад

      Still immature, too. What else could one call a man-child that chooses to defend undemocratic countries because he’s frustrated at the awful mistakes of democratic ones. The latter has taken worst actions (which is saying something), but that doesn’t seem to register to this eternal prick.

  • @5tar5z
    @5tar5z 2 года назад +4

    For me, it’s his best solo album by a longshot. Loves it

  • @TheWalrus999
    @TheWalrus999 2 года назад +6

    Spot on. There are many places that sound like 'this is where the guitar solo would go'.

    • @pavinder
      @pavinder 2 года назад

      Yes, it sounds almost as if the engineer forgot to turn up the guitarist's fader on the mixing desk! Guitar is really notable for its absence from the album.

    • @shelob12347
      @shelob12347 2 года назад

      Ha! Exactly how I felt about the show last night. The sax was blasting, then even though the guitar players Tele’s tone was incredible, it seemed like it was intentionally turned down.
      Combined with David being absent on every single image on the screens, the point was clear.

  • @cbennet1
    @cbennet1 2 года назад +13

    And here I thought I was the only one who considered The Wall to be inferior to Animals. The Wall contains barely any Rick Wright for the reasons we all know and a PF without RIck isn’t “classic” PF for me.

    • @simoncanty6171
      @simoncanty6171 2 года назад +2

      I, personally, love both Animals and The Wall. Rick Wright, although not a big creative contributor to The Wall, recorded all but a few tracks on that album. Also, I prefer Waters solo albums over anything Floyd did post breakup. The bands, not mine!

    • @stevesmith3990
      @stevesmith3990 2 года назад +1

      I loathe The Wall and not that keen on Animals either. Not a Waters fan.

    • @jimmycampbell78
      @jimmycampbell78 2 года назад +3

      Animals is my favourite Pink Floyd album. I think The Wall is overrated and I don’t like the Final Cut or Waters’ solo work.
      Not sure about the grouping together of Animals and the Wall as ‘Roger Waters Pink Floyd’ albums?
      A portion of Animals material was conceived during the Wish You Were Here sessions. I group it with the previous album, as I group Dark Side and Meddle together; and I group The Wall/Final Cut together.
      I think the band is still intact, collaborating and fully represented on Animals.

    • @shelob12347
      @shelob12347 2 года назад

      @@stevesmith3990
      Then this is definitely the place for you.

  • @elliotmarsh
    @elliotmarsh 2 года назад +6

    Great review, especially your end: “a spoonful of sugar to make the Waters bitterness go down”. The Pink Floyd symbiosis perfectly described!

  • @JohnnyPaton
    @JohnnyPaton 2 года назад +8

    Brilliant album. Not as good as Amused to Death imho but still pretty excellent.

  • @themediumcheese
    @themediumcheese 2 года назад +11

    Pretty superb album, probably one of the best sounding I've heard in a long time. Every note sounds crisp and powerful.

  • @simoncanty6171
    @simoncanty6171 2 года назад +5

    Really good Waters album. Enjoy all of his solo work, maybe with the exception of Radio K.A.O.S. Filled with typical Waters political/world observations beautifully set to some 'top form' music.

  • @michaelkelly4613
    @michaelkelly4613 Год назад +2

    This album is easily Waters' best written material since The Wall and his best solo album. It suffers, however in musicianship and polish. And it is by those last two characteristics that it will be judged in the eyes of many people because musicianship and polish has always been Gilmour's and Wright's forte and Waters' weakness.

  • @slob5041
    @slob5041 Год назад +1

    The main thing is that we know about the problems in the world. His old stuff was interesting because it was more about how he felt as a person. He has emotional richness and a unique perspective on life that I want to hear..

  • @fallandbounce
    @fallandbounce 2 года назад +2

    Excellent review,. Good bringing up the parallels with Animals, in particular. I'm a fan of the album, and was a bit dismayed when the audience would get drinks, talk, and head to the bathrooms when he played these songs on the last tour. I feel very fortunate to have heard them.

  • @slumdogjay
    @slumdogjay 2 года назад +2

    Animals is one of my favourite PF albums. I can really here similarities in some of the musical arrangements between Animals and Is This The Life. I think it’s a great album. Is This The Life and Amused To Death are both up there with any PF album n my humble opinion.

  • @frommetoyou1981
    @frommetoyou1981 2 года назад +5

    There's a few good songs on there, but it tails off in the second half for me. I was very excited to hear it considering we hadn't had any studio album since the magnificent 'Amused to death' but - its nowhere near that quality, or 'Pro's and cons of hitchhiking' for that matter.

    • @joewilson1584
      @joewilson1584 2 года назад

      Hard agree. It almost feels like there wasn’t enough political material so he just tacked on a few boring, tepid love songs to make it long enough for LP release.

  • @nickbaggins7942
    @nickbaggins7942 2 года назад +2

    Sixth!! Detailed review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. As a soon to retired Navy Chief I find a lot of poignant moments as his imagery gives a lot to relate to

  • @glennpowell3444
    @glennpowell3444 2 года назад +3

    The title reminds me of ELO's track " Is this the way lifes meant to be" Just me wandering off the beaten track.But while I am here the album "Time" by ELO is still sublime.Maybe you should review it.?

  • @stuartwebb8330
    @stuartwebb8330 2 года назад +5

    Waters best album and equal if not better than most Floyd albums.

  • @MinorCirrus
    @MinorCirrus 2 года назад +1

    My views on this album are pretty much aligned with yours. It really feels like a continuation of the Wish You Were Here/Animals duet, had The Wall not happened.
    Love being the refuge to all this darkness is also present on animals with Pigs On The Wing, actually. "So I don't feel alone or the weight of the stone".
    In the same way that Nick mason says Meddle is the sequel to A Saucerful Of Secrets, one could argue this is the sequel to Animals. No wonder Animals got much more love in his live setlists after this album released.

  • @riversandroots
    @riversandroots 2 года назад +2

    I really want to like Rogers solo stuff more than I do. There are some good moments in his work though.. I love your comparison to Animals, and how Wright and Gilmour so beautifully rounded out that album. the members of Pimk Floyd balanced and complemented each other so beautifully. I can't think of any other band where the whole is so much more than the individuals.

    • @slob5041
      @slob5041 Год назад

      Gilmour added a softness while wright added flair.

    • @illegalewahrheiten2911
      @illegalewahrheiten2911 Месяц назад

      Just need to listen to it more. Hard to get into, but as good as Floyd.

  • @NigelFortune
    @NigelFortune 2 года назад +2

    13:41 "Its cheery stuff really" 😂😂

  • @nectarinedreams7208
    @nectarinedreams7208 2 года назад +1

    Terrific review, and love what you say at the end. This is a great channel and great community. I think Waters has always rallied for love as the answer, just not in the usual hippie Beatles-esque way. I do think he's a hippie at heart - a true bleeding heart and artist.

  • @abdullalhazred3365
    @abdullalhazred3365 2 года назад +1

    Goodness, you are beating this up tremendously.
    As a fan of Amused and Pros and cons I've just started listening to this on youtube to convince myself to add to the cd collection. Nothing new musically I am hearing and a lot wanting in power than you are giving it credit for.
    The same old maudlin noise collages of nostalgia. Do i believe he is sincerely investing empathy in any of the characters of the platitudes he declares??
    lol.
    All I hear is an old old hippy crawling to his death. And in a very comfortable fashion considering his own wealth.
    For me, Rog is done.

  • @DannyD714
    @DannyD714 2 года назад +1

    roger sums things up in two words in the title track... IT"S NORMAL! of course he's being sarcastic,but he throws it right in our faces that we as a society have normalized the slaughter of people by sitting by "silent and indifferent". he shames us all and we deserve it. nice review btw. i happen to love this album.

  • @alexanderrobertson3526
    @alexanderrobertson3526 2 года назад +1

    Amused to death is probably peak-waters for me. This more recent record seems to be made in hope of a guest guitarist who never turns up. Several times the song seems to vamp as if there is a solo but it's not there.

  • @slob5041
    @slob5041 Год назад +1

    What you said about animals is interesting because a lot of this reminds me of pigs on the wings, but it lacks real balance and feels more like it’s copying

  • @nunomuacho446
    @nunomuacho446 2 года назад +2

    Amused to Death is up there with the DSOM and The Wall.

  • @clust11
    @clust11 2 года назад +3

    A good album is something you listen often, not that one for me

  • @madahad9
    @madahad9 2 года назад +1

    Can we get back the Roger Waters who wrote Grantchester Meadows, Green Is the Colour, Fearless, Wots, Uh the Deal, Cymbaline? Since Dark Side of the Moon he's reigned as rock's great pessimists, carrying it over to his solo career. I wonder if he is happy person. This sounds more like demo recordings than finished works. I can barely understand what he's saying, his,vocals getting buried under the instruments. He's always had a very limited vocal range and this is what worked so well with his collaboration with David Gilmour. Waters' vocals are oftentimes the equivalent of getting a spike driven into your ears. I liked many of the songs from Amused to Death, especially The Bravery of Being Out of Range and Late Home Tonight. Both have incredible images and their political views didn't need to be beaten into your head. Here he's just lecturing. It's truly dreadful. I agree that Animals is better than The Wall. He must realise that he will never surpass his past creations, which is probably the reason why he keeps resurrecting Dark Side or The Wall. I saw him live over twenty years ago in a very stripped down production, no props on stage, and he played more than half of The Wall, throwing in some solo stuff. I left before the end, bored by the whole performance.

  • @MrDirtybear
    @MrDirtybear 2 года назад +2

    So you consider 'The Wall' to be toast more the best thing since sliced bread, I am with you there. 'Animals' WAS the last great PF album and it is a pity that there will be no live album from the tour to go with the October release. But we can always find a bootleg of the tour if we want to. As regards Roger Waters atheism-I would find it more convincing if he talked about it less. Anyone who rails at what they say they disbelieve is either more inconsistent that they are prepared to admit to being or they are out to make money from their lack of sincerity. But maybe fame does that to some people.

    • @theworldaccordingto4555
      @theworldaccordingto4555 2 года назад +2

      "Fame, fame, fatal fame
      It can play hideous tricks on the brain
      But still, I'd rather be famous
      Then righteous or holy, any day, any day, any day..." - The Smiths.

    • @interstellaroverdriven6450
      @interstellaroverdriven6450 2 года назад

      RE: a live album for the 1977 tour - check out the 'Best of North American 1977 Tour' ROIO compilation album made by extremely talented members at Yeeshkul. Could easily be confused with a commercial release the quality is that good. Link below: ruclips.net/video/J8wSIT93olk/видео.html&ab_channel=Funkydung
      Hope you enjoy!

  • @TheWelcome7
    @TheWelcome7 2 года назад +1

    As much as I favor Rick Wright, I still enjoy listening to The Wall, it’s actually not a good album or movie to watch while depressed, nonetheless I still consider it a Pink Floyd classic. Everything after that not so much.

  • @rudianslow9447
    @rudianslow9447 6 месяцев назад

    Fantastic review
    Makes me enjoy this album more

  • @mattrogers1946
    @mattrogers1946 2 года назад +1

    While The Wall is certainly not my favorite album, what is it that you dislike about the record? Great channel by the way. 👍

    • @classicalbum
      @classicalbum  2 года назад +1

      I might have addressed that in my Pink floyd worst to best video

  • @sydysydy
    @sydysydy 2 года назад +1

    The biggest disappointment here is "Smell the Roses" as it is a very blatant rip-off of Have a Cigar. It's shocking, embarrassing, and sacrilege. As is doing greatest hits tours, something Pink Floyd always stated they would never do.

  • @nunomuacho446
    @nunomuacho446 2 года назад +1

    Best review ever

  • @Baz63
    @Baz63 2 года назад +1

    At 7:09 Waters says 'music and melody should play second fiddle to lyrics and concepts. If this is his opinion why not indulge in just writing poetry or become an author instead of making music?. I very rarely write negatively about an artist but generally remain in my own council. But in the case of this artist i am motivated by the inane comment above thus failing to appreciate his constant belly aching about the world. Indeed we live in very troubled times but personally i do not need artists making a career bemoaning the ills of the world and referencing his deceased father whilst living in luxury. Waters must be fun to live with! Sorry Barry and to Floyd / Waters fans but for 3 decades i have really tried to appreciate them but cannot discover the reason for their prominence. So my loss but at least a can dad dance to the Ozric Tentacles and pretend the world is not a ticking time bomb. Also for insightful lyrical content may i refer you to Ian Dury's track 'There's a Poo Poo In The Prawn'. Puts a smile on my face every time i hear it and goodness knows we need a few laughs these days. BTW a top class review as always sir.

    • @kendavison7148
      @kendavison7148 2 года назад +1

      Roger is just an angry, hateful, sad man...emphasis on angry. He is a very talented lyricist in the way he forms phrases but his inability to get over the death of his father has stunted his growth. He is a child.

  • @roywatson8133
    @roywatson8133 2 года назад +1

    rocks mr gloomy back with is best album most people like amused to death but it sounds to polished for me

  • @ilabelle1
    @ilabelle1 2 года назад +1

    Hmmm…Waters & Gilmour. The sum doesn’t equal the whole. The whole doesn’t equal the sum. The equal doesn’t sum the whole. Something like that.

  • @Rattlinghope4
    @Rattlinghope4 2 года назад +1

    I was rather hoping Roger would give us an epic swan song of an album. Oh dear what a shame there is hardly any lead guitar and yes the mix is not great. It’s good but not his best effort.

  • @dannyfrechette2705
    @dannyfrechette2705 2 года назад +1

    Roger Waters Merci 👏👏👏

  • @blainehesseltine8363
    @blainehesseltine8363 2 года назад +2

    Great review! Thanks for the warning man! You couldn't pay me to listen to his drivel

  • @efficiencygaming3494
    @efficiencygaming3494 2 года назад

    I do rather like the production on this album, as it does a good job of underscoring the album's dystopian themes. To me, it does sound like a soundtrack to a greedy, hateful, and angry world.
    For all the problems I have with Roger Waters' opinions and behavior, I at least admire the fact that he is not at all afraid to call out the issues of modern society in rather colorful terms.

  • @guidolitjens5796
    @guidolitjens5796 2 года назад +3

    Great album for people with open mind, I dont give a shit for his politics

  • @mrkitewine7700
    @mrkitewine7700 2 года назад +1

    I think the best bits are where he rips off/borrows stuff from his old band. But there are some other nice moments too.

  • @stigflambard9799
    @stigflambard9799 2 года назад +3

    I cant stand this albums production.
    The lyrics are buried in the mix far too much for my ears.

  • @mattiparker14
    @mattiparker14 2 года назад

    Did u listen to hitch hikers when it came out ....or on the bandwagon?

    • @classicalbum
      @classicalbum  2 года назад +1

      I certainly did, and rather like it. I wish it would get a deluxe edition remaster

  • @SwisstedChef2018
    @SwisstedChef2018 2 года назад +1

    Some is good, he is no singer, but he is a narrator. I do not like his personality. But Music is Music and some is fantastic. Would I buy it ? Some songs only

  • @pavinder
    @pavinder 2 года назад +2

    I like the album, but one thing which really lets it down for me is the way sound effects are used. Or should I say misused.
    On previous Waters albums every sound effect is really appropriate and subtle, reflecting the lyrics, the narrative or atmosphere of the song. But on this album the sounds are often inexplicable - completely unrelated to the songs, nonsensical.
    As typical examples,
    The Last Refugee: opens with a sound collage of British talking clocks and weather reports: there’s an “end of broadcasting” message, then an 11:24 timestamp, then 8:57, then a “Happy New Year” announcement immediately followed by 11:25. All out of order, thrown together, and not related to the song content.
    Picture That: contains the sound of a train door, numerous London Underground announcements, and closes with train sounds and an answerphone message (all in a song with no connection to trains or commuting or such).
    Bird In A Gale: a total mish-mash of sounds, including what sounds like an emergency alarm, a “Your call couldn’t be completed, please dial again” message, another “Happy New Year” announcement, a bunch more weather reports, unintelligible voices, and random timestamps - some even repeated from previous tracks. It makes no sense in the context of the song.
    Compared to the way sounds are so brilliantly used with subtlety and finesse on The Final Cut, Pros & Cons of Hitchhiking and Amused To Death, this is just terrible. The sound effects are often confusing and seem totally unrelated to the songs, apparent "mistakes" which interrupt and detract from the meaning of the lyrics. It almost seems that someone just layered a few random sound effects on top for the hell of it as an afterthought.

    • @sindrebruset4906
      @sindrebruset4906 4 месяца назад

      I blame Nigel Godrich for that. His production on this record is terrible. It's like he has absolutely no idea about who Roger is and no knowledge about how a Roger Waters album is supposed to sound.
      His worst offense in my opinion was the omission of Crystal Clear Brooks though. Would easily have been the best song on the album and a brilliant closer if it had been included. I wish Roger could have worked with a different producer for this record, such as Pat Leonard who produced the Amused to Death and was spot-on with the production.
      It would also probably be better if Roger recorded with his touring band from The Wall tour, compared to the boring studio musicians Godrich brought in. I have seen Roger with the same musicians that Godrich assembled for him for ITTLWRW, and they are dead boring and lack soul, not even close to his old band.

  • @scottren.8492
    @scottren.8492 2 года назад +1

    RW by far, worst solo album.
    Amused to Death is genius.
    PF have aways been 50/50 the music is equally as important as the lyrics. Lyrically, RW lyrics don't deliver the message/s due to lack of musically.
    This abum is proof without the good music heightening Waters words his lyrics die sadly. Without good Musicians, RW I pronounce dead.

  • @marcrehula
    @marcrehula 2 года назад +4

    Animals is my favorite Floyd album, but I find all of Water's solo stuff utterly unlistenable, no matter how many times I try listening.

  • @Driver2616
    @Driver2616 2 года назад +3

    Roger Waters is an old crank. He’s made a very lucrative, multi millionaire’s life out of his whinging about just about everything that one can whinge about. He’s an old cliché. Still though, I’ll go and see him live again whenever I can. He puts on a great show…

    • @iansharp7422
      @iansharp7422 2 года назад

      That's exactly what the album sounded like. His worst album.

  • @MARK-co1ge
    @MARK-co1ge 2 года назад

    Mr. Waters is a polarising figure and his music is not everyone's cup of tea. After Animals and a couple of songs on The Wall, I had no interest in his music or his lyrics, let alone his interviews. I'd rather crucify myself, suffering and bleeding through an hour of first-wave Norwegian black metal. I remain a loyal listener, Barry.

  • @mikenash7049
    @mikenash7049 2 года назад +1

    The only post-Floyd Waters solo album I like is Radio KAOS. I found Amused To Death unlistenable, and so I've never bothered listening to Is This The Life We Really Want. Going by this review, I don't think I'll bother. Animals is my least favourite Floyd album from the Waters-led era and my second least favourite Floyd album overall (second to A Momentary Lapse Of Reason); if a lot of the music on Is This The Life We Really Want is rehashed from Animals, then thanks but no thanks.

  • @BruceColon-BSides
    @BruceColon-BSides 2 года назад +2

    Decent album, but he’s grown more and more insufferable in his politics and presentation. Just awful.

    • @kendavison7148
      @kendavison7148 2 года назад +1

      He doesn't lack complaints but he has no solutions for what he considers the world's problems. Insufferable is a good word.

  • @LeonWick526
    @LeonWick526 2 года назад +2

    Waters is in no position to give humanity a mediocre report card. After all, Waters sued David Gilmour when he continued Pink Floyd without him.

  • @bennyscomin
    @bennyscomin 2 года назад +1

    Hypocritical, pontificating, elitist..........just what humanity needs, a "report card" from Roger Waters

  • @victorhawkins3461
    @victorhawkins3461 2 года назад +1

    I'll be skipping this one, Barry. Not a fan of Mr. Waters on any level.

  • @incheolshin43
    @incheolshin43 2 года назад +2

    Second

    • @mattrogers1946
      @mattrogers1946 2 года назад

      Awwww, hope you get the attention you're looking for...

  • @mikesclassicrock9745
    @mikesclassicrock9745 2 года назад +1

    Honestly, all Waters albums horrible, can’t stand him

  • @colinkennedy9767
    @colinkennedy9767 2 года назад +3

    Awful album.

  • @thepartimemusician65
    @thepartimemusician65 2 года назад

    The wall is far too long, Animals is perfection.

  • @CMI2017
    @CMI2017 2 года назад

    He's a hectoring bore who can't sing, and it's paradoxical that he uses music when he could write polemics and save everyone the time. Some of his views are justified but others, as he said of his lyrics on Dark Side, sound like they were written by a kid in the lower sixth, which to a degree, is where rock music is pitched, at the mind and experience of a 16 year old.

  • @cunningstunts553
    @cunningstunts553 2 года назад +2

    First

    • @classicalbum
      @classicalbum  2 года назад +1

      Love Adam Ant...

    • @mattrogers1946
      @mattrogers1946 2 года назад

      Way to hijack the comments section of someone else's video for attention...
      Someone's hard up for a thumbs up...💩