Artist: Pink Floyd
Album: A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
Label: EMI (UK) /Colombia (USA)
Released: 7 September 1987
UK Top 100 Albums: 3
US Billboard 200: 3
Produced: Bob Ezrin and David Gilmour
File Under: That pesky difficult 13th album. With Roger Waters gone, David Gilmour was determined to carry on. And carry on he did! More out of spite than anything else, one suspects!
🎧 Listening Status
Yeah, must confess this is one of my favourite Floyd albums. I know, coat got! Not their best but better than quite a few in my irrelevant opinion.
🔎 Background
After Waters left to focus on his solo career, David Gilmour and Nick Mason decided to carry on under the Pink Floyd banner. Rick Wright, who had been fired during The Wall sessions, was brought back to contribute to the album. The process was messy—legal squabbles, creative disagreements—but the band somehow managed to pull it together. The result was A Momentary Lapse of Reason, an album that marked a shift from Waters’ conceptual approach to a more song-based structure.
The question was, could the remaining members keep the flame alive and create a record worthy of the band’s legacy? Spoiler: They did, but with a bit of a mix between the old and the new. Let’s dive into this odd post-Waters journey and see how A Momentary Lapse of Reason holds up.
(This review is based on the original 1987 release of the album, not the 2019 remixed version with Nick Mason’s updated drum parts and restored keyboard contributions from Wright. You need to know that!)
Off we jolly well go then!
▶️ Track by Track
1. Signs Of Life
This track was almost the album’s title, and in many ways, it makes sense. It’s a quintessentially Floydian piece, ambient and dreamy, with just enough noodling to lull you into a state of bliss.
It’s directionless in a pleasant way, evoking images of floating through space and time. The 80s production, though, is a bit of a double-edged sword—it’s dated, but somehow it adds to the vibe, especially when listened to with headphones and a Belgian wheat beer (if that’s your thing).
Not that I would listen under the influence. Reviews and alcohol do not mix, pop kids!
2. Learning To Fly
Learning to Fly kicks off with a rush of energy, immediately demanding to be heard as a single. It’s classic Floyd, even if the lyrics don’t quite hit the mark. Ok, they’re crap but this is so capturing that bad lyrics (and I should know, I’ve written a lot in my time!) are instantly forgiven.
No prizes for guessing what the song is about. And there is a wonderful audio snippet of Nick Mason talking to air traffic control during the instrumental break.
The track captures the spirit of Pink Floyd’s sound in the post-Waters era—Gilmour’s guitar is front and centre, and his ability to squeeze emotion out of each note is evident.
Despite not making a huge impact on the charts, it’s a standout track that represents the band’s move forward.
3. The Dogs of War
Ah, this one is a treat. Dark, brooding, and full of tension, it builds slowly before exploding into its full rock glory. The absence of drums at the start is a nice touch, leaving the synths and Gilmour’s powerful vocals to carry the track until the drums finally come in, creating an exhilarating moment.
The saxophone is surprisingly angry sounding, adding an unusual but fitting touch for an 80s track. It’s a clear reminder that the band still had the magic, even in the 80s.
4. One Slip
This track introduces a funky, almost jarring bass line—a departure from the usual Floyd sound. It’s undeniably of its time, with 80s production and a quirky vibe that might’ve rubbed some longtime fans the wrong way.
Ten years after Animals and here they are… experimenting with funky slap bass! Who’d have thunk it??
Still, it’s an interesting track and stands out for its different approach. The title of the album comes from this song, which is a nice touch of trivia for any fans out there.
If you like that sort of thing… which I do. You can never have enough trivia!
5. On The Turning Away
A favourite for many, this track captures a more anthemic, sweeping side of Floyd. The acoustic guitar and Gilmour’s soaring vocals combine to create a track that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
While some dismiss the post-Waters era, it’s clear that Gilmour was more than capable of crafting memorable Floyd tunes. It’s a little shorter and more radio-friendly than some of their older material, but it’s a beautiful piece, nonetheless.
6. Yet Another Movie
Side two in old money and things get a bit weirder. In an 80s Floyd kind of way, if that makes any sense. Which it probably doesn’t.
This track is a bit more experimental setting the tone for side two nicely. With heavy use of synths and electronic effects that were all the rage in the 80s.
The track feels like it’s straddling two eras—capturing the sound of the time while still holding onto that classic Floyd sensibility. There’s something strangely timeless about Gilmour’s guitar work here, even if the production screams the 80s.
7. Round And Around
This brief instrumental track is over almost as quickly as it starts. It’s a bit of filler, offering nothing particularly new but still pleasant enough in the moment.
At just over a minute long, it doesn’t leave much of an impression, but it’s a nice segue into the next tracks.
8. A New Machine (Part One)
Another short track that’s an experiment with vocal effects and electronic manipulation. It’s minimalistic, almost eerie, and seems designed to pull you into a dreamlike state.
Despite its brevity, it’s a fascinating example of the band using the new technology of the 80s to push their sound in a new direction. Blink and you miss it!
We’re firmly encased in hardcore 80s Floyd now!
9. Terminal Frost
I’ve always had a bit of a problem with this one. I mean it’s quite directionless and a bit of a letdown after the previous tracks. It’s repetitive and, while there are some interesting soundscapes, it doesn’t quite capture the same spark as other tracks on the album.
The saxophone makes a return, but this time it doesn’t quite have the same punch. Still, it’s worth noting the moment of vocal harmonies in the mix—a nod to their earlier work on The Great Gig in the Sky.
10. A New Machine (Part Two)
A short continuation of the first part, but even more minimalist and experimental. At just 39 seconds, it doesn’t leave much of an impact, though it serves as a cool sound experiment.
So short, you cannot even class it as a filler. Quite pointless if truth be told.
11. Sorrow
A standout track from the album and one of my favourites. Sorrow kicks off with some unmistakably 80s synths before Gilmour’s guitar takes over, and suddenly it feels like classic Floyd.
The middle section may be a bit weak, but when it’s in full swing, it’s pure Floyd magic. The track builds to an epic finish with Gilmour’s guitar soaring into the ether, bringing the album to a fitting close.
And there it is, 80s Floyd. Not so bad after all!
Final Thoughts
Following Roger Waters was no small feat, but with David Gilmour leading the charge, Pink Floyd managed to create an album that, while not a classic, still holds up surprisingly well.
Yes, it’s dated in places, and some tracks might not have the same impact as their earlier material, but there’s enough here to make A Momentary Lapse of Reason a worthy addition to the Pink Floyd discography.
Gilmour proved he could keep the Floyd spirit alive, even in the face of a messy breakup. It’s not a perfect album, but it’s a damn good one, and one that deserves more credit than it often gets.
Although the accusations that it is nothing more than a Gilmour solo album do hold some weight, this record proves a point. And when bands squabble, proving points is always on the cards!
🎸 Uninteresting, Interesting Facts
1️⃣
Richard Wright was reemployed by the band but only as a salaried musician and not a full-time member.
2️⃣
Roger Waters described the album as “a very clever forgery.”
3️⃣
This was the first album since 1971’s Meddle to feature a group photo (Only David Gilmour and Nick Mason as Richard Wright was not a full-time member)
The Listening Log 
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