Roger Waters Critiques ‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason’ as ‘Clever Forgery’

Roger Waters Critiques ‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason’ as ‘Clever Forgery’

 

Roger Waters, the iconic bassist and primary lyricist of Pink Floyd, has long been outspoken about his disagreements with certain aspects of the band’s later work, particularly the 1987 album A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Released after Waters’ departure from Pink Floyd, the album marked a significant shift in the band’s sound, reflecting more of guitarist David Gilmour’s influence. However, Waters, who had left the band in 1985 following tensions with Gilmour, has consistently criticized this album, describing it as “a clever forgery.”

 

When A Momentary Lapse of Reason was released, it was the first Pink Floyd album to feature Gilmour as the principal songwriter after Waters’ exit. The album’s production was notably more polished, with a more mainstream, radio-friendly sound compared to their earlier, more experimental work. It featured a mix of atmospheric rock and synthesizer-driven tracks, with much of the songwriting and vocal work being done by Gilmour and keyboardist Richard Wright. Though the album was a commercial success, reaching number three on both the UK and US charts, Waters was vocal about his dissatisfaction with its artistic direction.

 

Waters’ critique of the album as “a clever forgery” stems from his belief that it was not truly representative of the original spirit of Pink Floyd. He argued that A Momentary Lapse of Reason lacked the depth and philosophical weight of Pink Floyd’s earlier works, such as The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon. In particular, he felt that the lyrics, which had been his domain in the band’s classic era, were shallow and lacked the introspective quality that had defined Pink Floyd’s most successful albums.

 

Waters’ disapproval was not just about the music itself but also about the way Pink Floyd continued without him. In interviews, he expressed his belief that the album represented an attempt to continue Pink Floyd’s legacy without the critical input that he had provided in the past. As the driving force behind much of Pink Floyd’s conceptual work, Waters felt that Gilmour’s attempt to carry on without him resulted in a “forgery” of the band’s original vision.

 

At the core of Waters’ critique is his view that Pink Floyd was more than just a group of musicians making music together—it was a creative entity that required the collaboration of all its members, with each bringing their unique perspectives to the table. Waters saw the album as an example of what happens when this collaborative spirit is fractured. He argued that A Momentary Lapse of Reason was more a product of Gilmour’s desire to continue the band’s legacy for commercial reasons than a true reflection of Pink Floyd’s original ethos.

 

Despite Waters’ disapproval, A Momentary Lapse of Reason was a commercial triumph, and many listeners found the album to be an enjoyable continuation of Pink Floyd’s legacy. Tracks like “Learning to Fly” and “On the Turning Away” became staples of the band’s live performances, and the album helped to reinvigorate Pink Floyd’s popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

 

However, for Waters, the album remains a symbol of the fracture within Pink Floyd—a split that would continue to haunt the band in the years that followed. His comments on the album as “a clever forgery” illustrate his belief that while the music may have carried the Pink Floyd name, it lacked the fundamental creative spark that made their earlier works so special. Waters has never shied away from expressing his dissatisfaction with Pink Floyd’s direction post-departure, and A Momentary Lapse of Reason remains a key focal point in that ongoing critique.