The Final Cut: an interesting outlook

Hey all. I thought I'd just share this with you TFC fans, like myself.

I bought the album on vinyl not too long ago - the promo version, with bands in the vinyl (yes, there's even silence in between the tracks... odd, eh?) But as I was taking out the record for the first time at home, something fell out of the sleeve and onto my lap. It was an 11"X9" sheet of paper, with the following information written on it (I haven't seen it anywhere else):

"PINK FLOYD - THE FINAL CUT. The fifth album by Pink Floyd on Columbia Records in the United States. Twelve new songs by Roger Waters.

Consider the premise of the scenario: The modern-day protagonist's daydream is spurred by a radio newscast on the Falklands war, and his imagination is carried into a series of rememberances. These observations, inasmuch as they reflect the disillusionment of a generation that saw the hopes and dreams coming out of the Second World War go unfulfilled, do eventually broaden in scope to include the delicate balance of contemperary conflicts, personal and political. The frustration and anger brought to mind by all conditions of economic upheaval, impending war, poverty, or another holocaust are juxtaposed in the imagination of the protagonist, and then realized in one of the most intense statements ever made by Pink Floyd.

The Final Cut was recorded in England between July and December, 1982. It was produced by Roger Waters, James Gunthrie (co-producer and engineer of The Wall), and Michael Kamen (orchestral arranger of The Wall). Coincicentally, while the LP's title seems to have a filmic interpretation, it does not necessarily relate to the 15-minute short film that visualizes three songs ("The Fletcher Memorial Home", "The Gunner's Dream", "Not Now John"). Nor does the track on side two, "The Final Cut", have any intentional reference to Pink Floyd "breaking up"; instead the expression becomes a double-entendre whose meanings are left open for the listener.

Notwithstanding the departure of Richard Wright to pursue a solo career, Pink Floyd stands firm with Dave Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Nick Mason comprising the group. Wright, who left on account of musical differences, is looking foward to his second solo album on Columbia Records. Roger Waters is also looking foward to a solo album, his first.

The Final Cut represents another breakthough for Pink Floyd, incorporating the Holophonic Sound technique in the recording of the album. While it is still in the experimental stages, the Holophonics of audio scientist Hugo Zuccarelli produce an all-encompassing three-dimensional presence which results in extraordinary special effects throughout the new album. While these effects create remarkable moments in sound, especially on point-of-source loudspeakers and the new inexpensive headsets - they cannot be re-recorded (for example, from an FM source) with the same quality acheived. Nevertheless, Pink Floyd aficionados will be able to appreciate the role of Holphonics on the album and pre-recorded tape versions of The Final Cut for years to come."

I think it pretty neat to see what they had to say, exactly, to promote the record. Interesting is to see how they explained Rick's departure, and to get the first sniffings of The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking.

Thought I'd share my find with everyone.

My copy of TFC is a CBS Mastersound Series Half Speed Mastered 12" Vinyl. It is an audiophile collectors edition. But, mine does not contain that info. Very interesting indeed.... Thanks for sharing.

Well thanx for that info BUT i dont see the OBJECTIONABLE LINES as U say to promote PACOHH!; In my VIEW Rog just got creative & ACTUALLY executed the "HAVE A CIGAR" song's premise;and Roy may HARP 'bout it till RIP. Anyway what ultimately matters is THE ALBUM-TFC ;which acc2 me is 1 of the best albms Rog ever did!

Good post, Shaners. We need more of this sort of stuff.

I liked the blurb's excuse for Rick's departure as well; very tactful in a corporate sort of way.

TFC was, for me, a grave disappointment, especially after the modern thrill of The Wall and seeing it performed Live. OK, not as disappointing as ACoGDS, but that one's more of a poorly devised money-spinning compilation so it doesn't really count.

I didn't know that TFC existed in that variation. Interesting.

cool, first time i read it, very interesting. thanks for letting us having a look.

No problem at all. I figured it would fascinate other Floyd fans as much as it did me.

Hmm. It kind of vindicates my feelings about the album (the synopsis) and the general malaise of the post WW2 or even post Vietnam world.

hOW BAD IS THE FINAL CUT ? UGHHHH ! WORSE THEN UMMAGUMMA

Thnaks for the share, those are the four words came to my mind first when I read the aricle

I actually enjoyed reading the article and it´s interesting look backward, how history is taken to a reallity and how the talet of good muisicians is recognized by the critic

I believe that it's the best PF album, from my humble stand point, however the comparison made from somebody with TW is valid, both are state of the art albums

I'd like to have a copy of the document to put it in a square on a wall of my living room, together with the PF posters that I own. Again Thanks

I also owned a vinyl cut of the final cut, but not one with that
insert. That was an interesting take.

TFC is very emotionally charged, maybe not as musically moving
as some would have it. But it IS better than UMMAGUMMA!!

I think that those two who diss'ed TFC with their earlier posts
are probably the kind of fans that inspired Roger to pen The Wall.
The kind of fan who wants every album to sound like Dark Side,
and who wants short, convenient top-10 droplets like Another
Brick, part 2.

Those are the run-of-the-mill, dime-a-dozen, hard-to-please types
whose IQ's could be measured by a paint by number teddy bear
test.

Hmmm, insulting others isn't actually a good way to prove why TFC is good.

How many "short, convenient top ten droplets like Another Brick, part 2 (sic)" are included on Dark side?

'Ummagumma' iz more of a reel Floyd album, & not a Roger solo effort like TFC


admit U like J-LO's big butt!

In order for them to be insulted by my previous post, NNJ, they'd
actually have to understand it, which I doubt they do.
And FYI, I've no idea how many top 10 droplets are on DSOTM,
because, (like the Floyd) I never paid any attention to that CRAP.

That is true, I must admit. But it boils down to which record I'd
personally rather listen to regularly. And, by the way, the
portion of Ummagumma belonging to Rog is MUCH more to my
liking than that of Richard's. JMHO.

And I've already admitted to being quite fond of J-Lo's big ass.