On An Island
by David Gilmour
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Mar 7, 2006
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 81
  3. Negative: 8 out of 81

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  1. Argeon
    Aug 7, 2015
    6
    Again, Gilmour demonstrates his lack of focus in this album. Gilmour is a great guitarist without any question, but The Island is just a cluster of few memorable melodies and far less representative guitar solos.
  2. LennyB.
    Aug 16, 2007
    9
    I am a big David Gilmour fan and the slbum is excelent. His giuitar play is one of a kind.
  3. RemoR.
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    From the beggining to the end, a masterpiece. Twenty years after his last solo album, Mr. Gilmour keeps his "touch of God" in every track of this release. Produced in cooperation with Manzanera and acompannied by many excellent players, including Mr. Wright, Wyatt, Newark and Pratt, On an Island is a jewel in the poor evil ways of instrumental-spacey-driven-contemporary-rock. Who cares From the beggining to the end, a masterpiece. Twenty years after his last solo album, Mr. Gilmour keeps his "touch of God" in every track of this release. Produced in cooperation with Manzanera and acompannied by many excellent players, including Mr. Wright, Wyatt, Newark and Pratt, On an Island is a jewel in the poor evil ways of instrumental-spacey-driven-contemporary-rock. Who cares about slow "tempos" and acoustic-moody melodies? Gilmour´s voice, guitar and spirit is quite strong here. note: Nash & Crosby contributed marvelously in the title track, and, to tell the truth, it´s really impressive to see Gilmour soloing extremely inspired almost 40 years after his artistic born in PInk Floyd.… Expand
  4. Guabiraba
    Feb 23, 2007
    9
    It´s a quite enjoyable album. There´s no reason to make so tough critcs about this release. Gilmour´s voice are sounding heavenly and many of the compositions remind Floyd from Meddle, and even Gilmour´s solo effort in 78. The production is exrtremely top notch, and, altough sounding a little bit too slow and "new-age", On an Island must be ranked amongst the best It´s a quite enjoyable album. There´s no reason to make so tough critcs about this release. Gilmour´s voice are sounding heavenly and many of the compositions remind Floyd from Meddle, and even Gilmour´s solo effort in 78. The production is exrtremely top notch, and, altough sounding a little bit too slow and "new-age", On an Island must be ranked amongst the best solo releases from an supergroup member of 2006. An ideal album for a sunday morning, for a tea in the evening or just a astonishing production for tasteful-guitar-addicteds. Get it.… Expand
  5. GabrielC
    Jun 24, 2006
    10
    I am proud this was released in 2006. Good God people! How could anyone give this a score less than a seven? there is aso much tlaent here. Gilmour gets asistance form Graham Nash and David Crosby. The harmonies are impossible for any of these wannabe rockers of today. Hearing this on the radio gives me great joy! NO it isn't a floyd record but it's a great record unto itself! I am proud this was released in 2006. Good God people! How could anyone give this a score less than a seven? there is aso much tlaent here. Gilmour gets asistance form Graham Nash and David Crosby. The harmonies are impossible for any of these wannabe rockers of today. Hearing this on the radio gives me great joy! NO it isn't a floyd record but it's a great record unto itself! What is this I hear about uninspired? Good lord people check oyur airwaves! What songs are "inspired" lately! MOst of what we hear today is garbage. this is some of the most relevant releases of this year!… Expand
  6. ALD
    Jun 16, 2006
    6
    As a dedicated Floyd fan (seen them 9 times) I was keen to hear Dave's new album. I liked the first track but wasn't sure about the album as a whole so played it seven times to really check it out. I've come to the conclusion that it's too bland, too contented, lacking passion and direction. Some great guitar as expected but I wom't be playing it again for a long As a dedicated Floyd fan (seen them 9 times) I was keen to hear Dave's new album. I liked the first track but wasn't sure about the album as a whole so played it seven times to really check it out. I've come to the conclusion that it's too bland, too contented, lacking passion and direction. Some great guitar as expected but I wom't be playing it again for a long time...it's kinda boring.… Expand
  7. TOL
    Jun 5, 2006
    7
    I was scared to listen to this album- could anything do justice to Floyd? Evidently, yes. Just. David has produced an album of lullaby lyrics coupled with soaring trademark guitar- a veritable feast of lush 'sleepy' music. But without the frankly psychotic Roger Waters there is no edge and no apparent passion to his music. Some tracks stand out (on an island, smile, when i close I was scared to listen to this album- could anything do justice to Floyd? Evidently, yes. Just. David has produced an album of lullaby lyrics coupled with soaring trademark guitar- a veritable feast of lush 'sleepy' music. But without the frankly psychotic Roger Waters there is no edge and no apparent passion to his music. Some tracks stand out (on an island, smile, when i close my eyes) but others seem lacklustre and not befitting of such a legend. Why a seven rating then? Gilmour could play guitar on any song and immediately triple its credibility is the simple answer.… Expand
  8. klassv
    Jun 4, 2006
    8
    the best solo work by ex-PF member.
  9. GeorgeM
    May 15, 2006
    9
    David proves he has nothing to prove. No monkeys riding on HIS back. Now if the fans would just grow up!
  10. TimK
    May 8, 2006
    3
    iIhad high hopes for this release when I saw that Gilmour was working with the great Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera. Disappointment set in quickly when I found Manzanera playing keyboards. Gilmour sounds uninspired and should have waited until he had better material to work with.
  11. JoeA
    May 6, 2006
    9
    I'd give this album a 9, cause I think that although the lyrics may not be absolutely amazing, the sonic quality of the album and music writing is absolutely incredible. Gilmour is certainly on form, and although there are Floyd trademarks placed everywhere on this record he manages to make himself stand out as a solo artist. Brilliance.
  12. MichaelM
    May 4, 2006
    5
    I think Dave is bummed.... more than usual which is saying something. I still think his best solo work was "There's no way out of here" I'll buy it because I'm a loyal fan.
  13. ChrisS
    Apr 24, 2006
    3
    This album lacks tension, lacks quality songwriting and is so boring that I constantly clicked on the ff button looking for something compelling. Never found anything.
  14. rah
    Apr 21, 2006
    3
    This cd really proves that the force behind Pink Floyd was Roger Waters. This CD takes no chances and does nothing for me. Red Sky at Night makes elevator music sound good. Shine on it's not.. There are a couple of fairly nice tunes - Take a Breath - for instance but the majority of this cd is lifeless, predictable and bland.
  15. gigii
    Apr 19, 2006
    10
    a fine album
  16. bradpitt
    Apr 9, 2006
    10
    nice work
  17. ramina
    Apr 9, 2006
    10
    i love it
  18. AlS
    Apr 3, 2006
    10
    I think this album is great. Its a real romantic Pink Floydish memory jerking sonic daydream. I really love it and the cd packaging is quite nice. cant wait for these guys to hook up with Roger Waters again!!! "tare down the wall" -soniclove
  19. NathanC
    Mar 29, 2006
    9
    Dave's still got it. That's all there is to say. His guitar is slow and very Comfortably Numb. Still crunchy when it needs to be, but overall relaxed. I don't know why anyone complains...it's entitled The Island, not Death Thrash. Many songs remind you of older Pink FLoyd, yeah, but they're more cleanly produced, lower tempo and less reckless in this album. If you Dave's still got it. That's all there is to say. His guitar is slow and very Comfortably Numb. Still crunchy when it needs to be, but overall relaxed. I don't know why anyone complains...it's entitled The Island, not Death Thrash. Many songs remind you of older Pink FLoyd, yeah, but they're more cleanly produced, lower tempo and less reckless in this album. If you like Dave's voice and guitar (and who doesn't!?) you won't be saddened. Sit in a comfy chair, relax, close your eyes, and you're off to LaLa land with this one.… Expand
  20. MarkT
    Mar 28, 2006
    7
    This is a decent album. I'll take anything I can get from Dave these days. The tracks "On an Island" and "Where We Start" are the standouts to me. If I have one complaint it's that the album is too soft. It starts out with some promise of having some of that slow & heavy Dave Gilmour brand to it, but it tapers off after the start of the album. This album also proves that Dave This is a decent album. I'll take anything I can get from Dave these days. The tracks "On an Island" and "Where We Start" are the standouts to me. If I have one complaint it's that the album is too soft. It starts out with some promise of having some of that slow & heavy Dave Gilmour brand to it, but it tapers off after the start of the album. This album also proves that Dave still has the voice and the guitar licks to pump out a few more albums (Hopefully Pink Floyd). I know the songs I mentioned earlier will be part of my personal summer soundtrack.… Expand
  21. JoeMomma
    Mar 28, 2006
    10
    Kevin M and RH clearly don't know what they are talking about. Pink Floyd is obviously greater than the sum of its parts but David Gilmour and Roger Waters have both released quality solo records.
  22. RobertoF
    Mar 28, 2006
    9
    Great album! Greats voice and guitar! Mr. Gilmour the Best!
  23. Bill
    Mar 27, 2006
    7
    Gilmour has set the bar high in the past with his solo efforts and even higher with the Floyd. By that standard this offering fails, but rated in the grand scheme of things, it's a good piece of music. Notible is "The Blue" with it's unique slide solo and "us and them" feel (minus the "them") I would have liked more instrumental work like "Raise my rent" or "Terminal Frost", but Gilmour has set the bar high in the past with his solo efforts and even higher with the Floyd. By that standard this offering fails, but rated in the grand scheme of things, it's a good piece of music. Notible is "The Blue" with it's unique slide solo and "us and them" feel (minus the "them") I would have liked more instrumental work like "Raise my rent" or "Terminal Frost", but I do enjoy this CD anyway. I'll listen to Roger when I want to get riled up, and David when I want to relax. I guess that means this is no longer rock and roll, but something else.… Expand
  24. janey
    Mar 26, 2006
    2
    awful
  25. AdrienneNotapplicable
    Mar 24, 2006
    8
    I found it to be lovely. Chill out, everyone.
  26. AnneMarieD
    Mar 24, 2006
    10
    Absolutely love this album.
  27. JD
    Mar 23, 2006
    9
    A very good album. No, protesting fans, it isn't Floyd, but that's not Gilmour's goal. The whole album is extremely mellow and polished, but also at times, emotional and heart-breaking. "Smile" is simply a beautiful composition. A lot of the songs do seem meandering, but skillfully so, or at least, backed with incredible guitar parts... more than can be said of most A very good album. No, protesting fans, it isn't Floyd, but that's not Gilmour's goal. The whole album is extremely mellow and polished, but also at times, emotional and heart-breaking. "Smile" is simply a beautiful composition. A lot of the songs do seem meandering, but skillfully so, or at least, backed with incredible guitar parts... more than can be said of most artists. Personally, I loved this album.… Expand
  28. [Anonymous]
    Mar 22, 2006
    8
    Classic Gilmour guitar work with some superb songs. It's great to have him still making music of this caliber.
  29. gregor
    Mar 22, 2006
    8
    a really, really nice album.
  30. SchuylerC
    Mar 21, 2006
    1
    Everything Gilmour has done up to this point has been truly legendary. Unfortunately this album doesn't rise to that level. It's sonically excellent, but the songs just don't do it for me.
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Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2006
80
#80 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Billboard
    80
    To be sure, the majority of "Island" could be Pink Floyd in all but name only.
    Read full review
  2. musicOMH.com
    70
    Could be the soundtrack to a blissed-out tropical holiday.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    40
    Gilmour sounds like his own man here, but you wish he had someone--anyone--to push him beyond these new adventures in tedium. [9 Mar 2006, p.92]
See all critic reviews »