The story of A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) is one of high-stakes survival and a sonic reboot. After Roger Waters’ departure in 1985—declaring Pink Floyd a "spent force"—David Gilmour and Nick Mason fought a fierce legal battle to keep the band name and prove they could thrive without their former primary lyricist. A Studio on the Water
Much of the album was born in an unconventional sanctuary: the
built in 1911 and converted by Gilmour into a floating studio. This setting deeply influenced the record’s atmospheric, "wet" sound. Producer
recalled children sculling by and geese flying overhead, a peaceful contrast to the bitter litigation occurring in the background. Themes of Flight and Transition
While earlier Floyd albums were driven by heavy political concepts, this record focused on personal renewal and the passage of time. "Learning to Fly"
: Inspired by Gilmour’s own aviation lessons, it served as a metaphor for his new responsibility leading the band. "On the Turning Away"
: An anthem about compassion, addressing the sin of ignoring human suffering.
: Written by Gilmour alone, its massive opening guitar solo was recorded in an empty sports arena to capture a haunting, cavernous resonance. The Return of Rick Wright The sessions saw the quiet return of founding keyboardist Richard Wright Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason -FLAC-...
, who had been fired by Waters years earlier. Although legal entanglements meant he initially returned only as a session musician, his presence was a critical step in reclaiming the band's identity. Visual Grandeur
Storm Thorgerson, the band's legendary artist, returned to create the cover: 800 wrought-iron hospital beds
laid out on Saunton Sands. This massive undertaking—which required several days and a team of workers to avoid being washed away by the tide—symbolized "a momentary lapse of reason" and the fragility of memory.
Despite the controversy and Roger Waters' public dismissal of the material as "third-rate," the album was a massive commercial success, launching one of the highest-grossing tours of the 1980s and re-establishing Pink Floyd for a new generation.
It sounds like you’re looking for guidance on finding or evaluating a FLAC (lossless) copy of Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
Since I can’t provide direct download links, here’s a good, practical guide to help you get a high-quality, authentic FLAC version of this album.
This format highlights technical specs and album history. The story of A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Subject: Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) [FLAC] [Remaster]
Post Body:
Artist: Pink Floyd Album: A Momentary Lapse of Reason Year: 1987 (Specify year of pressing, e.g., 2011 Remaster) Genre: Progressive Rock, Art Rock Format: FLAC Bitrate: Lossless (16bit/44.1kHz or 24bit/96kHz)
Tracklist:
Description: A Momentary Lapse of Reason was the band's first album without bassist and songwriter Roger Waters. A sonic departure from their previous work, it features David Gilmour’s signature atmospheric guitars and a polished, 80s-era production style. Includes the classic hits "Learning to Fly" and "On the Turning Away."
Technical Info:
There are two very different masterings of this album: Option 1: Detailed / Audiophile Style (Best for
For FLAC: The 2019 remix in 24-bit/96kHz is widely considered superior by fans. The 1987 CD rip in 16-bit/44.1kHz is also fine but sounds very “80s.”
You cannot play FLAC files natively on Windows Media Player or iTunes (without conversion). You need dedicated tools.
For Playback (Listening):
.cue files automatically (turning that one giant file into a track list).For Tagging & Organization:
For Conversion (Optional):
Critics have long labeled A Momentary Lapse of Reason as "cold" or "overproduced." However, a FLAC listening session disproves this. The coldness is not a lack of soul, but an intentional use of negative space. The track "Terminal Frost" is a purely instrumental jazz-rock fusion piece. In standard streaming quality, the saxophone by Tom Scott sounds piercing and harsh. In FLAC, the sax has body; you can hear the air moving through the bell of the horn, sitting in a specific plane behind the percussion. The "coldness" becomes a crisp, alpine clarity.
Some notable tracks from the album include: