Roger Waters
Radio Kaos

THE REVIEW

I will write this "praise" to Roger Waters forgetting the fact that he was the author of Ummagumma, Atom, Dark Side, Wish, A Saucerful, The Wall, Animals, and many other things.

It's difficult to talk about "Radio Kaos." It's impossible to "contextualize" it within the Floydian work and the same solo work of the English bassist.

But, if we try to forget the things I mentioned before, perhaps we will be able to understand the greatness of the album.

It's 1987. Waters signs the release form so that David Gilmour can use the name Pink Floyd. In reality, it was an imposition by Columbia. If he hadn't signed, the record company would not have released the soundtrack "When the Wind Blows" from 1986. Now Gilmour and Mason have a free hand to release their "momentary lapse of reason." From this point on, the battle between the parties would no longer be in the courts.

We all know how detrimental the eighties were to a certain type of music. But "Radio Kaos" is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful, perfect, and rich albums of the whole decade.

Waters shuffles the cards, shocking everyone by delivering an album that's "light" and very digestible (unlike The Pros and Cons).

The album opens with the single "Radio Waves," where keyboards and synths dominate. The electronic drums invade every second of the track, light-years away from anything done before. A track with a huge radio impact. Very powerful.

The album continues with "Who Needs Information." Great atmosphere. The third track is the masterpiece of the album (Me or Him). It's the song where you fully understand that despite the desire to make an album that was up to date, aimed at selling tons of copies, there is behind all this an immense author. Unique. The track recalls the sounds (without becoming heavy) of The Final Cut, If, Brain Damage.

The next "The Powers That Be" once again attempts to throw smoke in the eyes, steering the album towards an overtly commercial and pompous sound. But of quality. "Sunset Strip" is the "missing single." A very fine pop track where, personally, I find the best of the eighties in their entirety. Great chorus, which picks up the tones of the more "classic" Waters but seen from a completely new and different angle.

The album closes with the choral "The Tide is Turning." A track that, if it had been published under the name "Pink Floyd," would have sold millions of copies. An absolute masterpiece in its simplicity and greatness.

So.

We are faced with an album that would divide anyone, so I don't expect favorable consensus. But I invite everyone to re-evaluate it in light of the decade in which it was created. Move away for about forty minutes from the Floyd discography and listen to it without preconceptions. You'll discover a very pleasant, focused, and balanced album.

Little closing note.

The album opens with a sound entirely similar to that of "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn." In the exact same way. But then it heads towards entirely different universes.