Singer, bassist and songwriter Roger Waters regarded the Pink Floyd album The Wall from 1979 primarily as a personal magnum opus. When this double album also became a great success, Waters took over the helm completely within the band without being asked. Keyboardist Richard Wright had already left by his hand, guitarist and singer David Gilmour and drummer David Mason had to settle for a concept
… that had actually remained within the The Wall story. The Final Cut, which appeared in 1983, is Waters' indictment of war, based on the loss of his father in World War II. It is striking that with such a personal theme, also performed with an orchestra, The Final Cut as a whole makes a cold impression. Waters' overstrained vocal performance seems forced. Gilmour only gets the chance to showcase his lyrical solo playing in the outlier The Fletcher Memorial Home, Mason is even replaced by drummer Andy Newmark on the closing track Two Suns In The Sunset. After this weak album Waters actually went solo. Luckily, Gilmour and Mason, with the returning Wright, continued the group (much to Waters' dismay), preventing The Final Cut from becoming the unsatisfying swan song in a grand body of work. (MR) the group (much to Waters' displeasure), so that The Final Cut did not become the unsatisfying swan song in a grand oeuvre. (MR) the group (much to Waters' displeasure), so that The Final Cut did not become the unsatisfying swan song in a grand oeuvre. (MR)more
