Now that the Pink Floyd chapter has seemingly ended, longtime guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour can concentrate on his solo career, and he's returned rather quickly after his former band's return last year on The Endless River with his fourth solo album, Rattle That Lock. It's been nearly a decade since his last solo effort, On an Island, but fans will be happy to know that Rattle That Lock was well worth the wait. Co-produced by Gilmour and Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, with lyrics co-penned by Gilmour's long-term writing partner Polly Samson, Rattle That Lock is a classy, majestic collection of songs that at first might seem a tad on the distant or mellow side, but with repeated listens open up many nuances that will eventually reveal a warm and inviting album that ranks up with some of Gilmour's best.
For most fans, the allure of any release involving Gilmour will be his unmistakable guitar playing and soothing vocal delivery, and of course you get both of those here. Opening instrumental "5 A.M." could have fit on any Pink Floyd album, a drifting, atmospheric floater of a song littered with tasty, yearning guitar strains, which leads into the upbeat, catchy title track, easily the most accessible song on the album, featuring a great vocal hook and plenty of stirring guitar solos and keyboard tapestries. Gilmour's melodic vocals permeate the lush "Faces of Stone", a charming little number complete with pastoral acoustic guitar, accordion, and of course some emotional electric guitar solos. The lovely "Boat Lies Waiting" sees tender piano from Gilmour & Roger Eno backing gorgeous vocals from the trio of the guitarist, Graham Nash, and David Crosby, while "Dancing Right In Front Of Me" is more of a swinging, bluesy pop tune that has some tasty guitar licks, electric piano, and layers of dreamy vocals. "In Any Tongue" deals with a young man going off to war, an emotional rocker that also could have fit on any Pink Floyd album, complete with a ripping guitar solo, and "Beauty" is a somewhat ambient instrumental, as spacey keys, jazzy piano, and yearning guitar lines take the listener on a journey through the cosmos. The big surprise on Rattle That Lock is without a doubt "The Girl In The Yellow Dress", a vintage sounding lounge jazz song featuring majestic piano courtesy of Jools Holland (Squeeze) and some sultry sax from Colin Stetson. Though very well done and enjoyable, the song almost sounds out of place here, but give Gilmour credit for trying something a little different and taking a chance...ultimately it worked. Strong female backing vocals round out the big sounds of the upbeat funk/pop rocker "Today", and the album closes almost as it began with the bluesy instrumental "And Then...", another fine vehicle for Gilmour's trademark liquid guitar solos.
Housed in a book styled digi-pack with wonderful cover art by Dave Stansbie, full lyrics, photos, and information on which musicians played on each track, Rattle That Lock is a beautiful presentation both inside and out. Time will tell whether this will be David Gilmour's swan song and bridge to retirement or if it's just the beginning of a true solo career, but either way, Rattle That Lock is an album to savor from one of rock music's true legends.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. 5 A.M.
2. Rattle That Lock
3. Faces Of Stone
4. A Boat Lies Waiting
5. Dancing Right In Front Of Me
6. In Any Tongue
7. Beauty
8. The Girl In The Yellow Dress
9. Today
10. And Then...
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