The Final Cut was next , posted on June 20 , 2020 . The Wall ’ s “ Vera ”/ ” Bring the Boys Back Home ” followed in August . Waters ’ song notes explained that Vera Lynn , the English singer and “ forces ’ sweetheart ” during WWII , had recently passed away in June 2020 at age 103 . He also commented on the difference between war then and now . When his own father died in the war , Waters said , he was really fighting to defend his home . “ Not like now ,” continued Waters , insisting that he ’ d bring the boys back immediately if he could . “ Now the boys fight and die in colonial wars so some rich asshole can get richer ,” he writes . This sentiment is reflected most directly in “ The Bravery of Being Out of Range ” from 1992 ’ s Amused to Death . The song examines the abuses of remote war and US foreign policy , with particular ire for Reagan and Bush I . It became a key narrative element during Waters ’ pandemic-delayed “ This is Not a Drill ” tour that finally stopped at the United Center last July . The lyrics have been updated . “ Thirty years later , it ’ s the same old tune ,” sings Waters . “ No closer to peace than the man in the moon .” A breakdown includes audio from a barroom conversation concerning the possibility of productive discourse between Biden and Putin to negotiate peace in Ukraine . “ You ’ re crazy ,” says the patron to Waters ’ suggestion . Waters moves from guitar to piano for this song and “ The Gunner ’ s Dream ,” another pointed portrait of war from The Final Cut . “ This is Not a Drill ” shows opened with an understated but stormy arrangement of classic rock staple “ Comfortably Numb .” The new treatment is captured here in a studio recording made by the touring band members between dates . A different mood emerges in the absence of David Gilmour ’ s majestic solos . Shanay Johnson ’ s gospelinfused vocal is featured over the song ’ s extended coda , evoking sorrow , rage , and defiance while stirring memories of Clare Torry ’ s contribution to “ The Great Gig in the Sky .” Waters ’ “ Us and Them ” touring band is top-notch . Longtime sideman Dave Kilminster displays beautiful fretwork throughout the set and unleashes some indulgent flourishes during “ Bring the Boys Back Home .” Joey Waronker ’ s drumming is soulful and confident , accompanied by the grounding influence of Gus Seyffert ’ s bass . Waters ’ deep baritone voice has a timeworn rasp , contrasted by the crystalline harmonies of Lucius vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig . Ian Ritchie ’ s saxophone blows mournfully through the outro of “ Two Suns in the Sunset .”
The subject matter of The Lockdown Sessions is grim but thought-provoking , with a tone that will be familiar to anyone who has spun Pink Floyd ’ s run of albums between Dark Side of the Moon and The Final
Cut . This set may send unfamiliar fans to reexamine the material on The Final Cut and solo masterpiece Amused to Death . Those listeners will find that , as encapsulated here , the material remains unfortunately relevant .
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– Jeff Elbel
THE BOLLWEEVILS Essential
( Red Scare )
Longtime Chicago punks The Bollweevils have ( remarkably ) kept the band together despite the challenges of careers , father time , and raising kids . Like Naked Raygun , they still have the passion and desire ( and chops ) to make music with passion like they did when they started in 1989 . Lead vocalist Daryl Wilson has kept his foot in Chicago ' s music space , even as a top suburban ER doctor and ER director . With 10 tracks averaging 2 minutes , Wilson and his bandmates ( Pete Mittler , bass Ken Fitzner , guitarist , and Pete Mumford , drummer ) combine their signature harmonic melodic punk themes short and sweet . Like many bands , the pandemic inspired them to keep making music to the fan ' s advantage . As bands mature , their themes do as well , and Essential tackles must-address messages as well , including our mental illness crisis (" The Cutting Solution "), overcoming personal demons (" Predisposition "), and the daily grind of the working man and woman . (" Liniment and Tonic "). The band is as tight as ever , as highlighted on " Disrespected Peggy Sue ," which hurdles forward at a breakneck speed . Essential is just that . Fans ( and critics ) should be happy The Bollweevils decided to stick it out and keep making music .
– David Gedge
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