Album: The Endless River

Introduction
"The Endless River" is the fifteenth and final studio album by the famous English rock band Pink Floyd. Released on November 7, 2014, the album is the band's first after the death of keyboardist and establishing member Richard Wright in 2008. Consisted of generally of critical and ambient music, "The Endless River" is heavily based on extra material taped during the sessions for the 1994 album "The Division Bell". It is a fitting homage to Wright's contributions to the band, along with a journey through Pink Floyd's unbelievable sonic landscape.

Background and Production
The seeds for "The Endless River" were planted in 1993 during the recording sessions for "The Division Bell". The band, including guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, and Wright, taped approximately 20 hours of music that didn't make it into the last cut of the album. At first, the concept was to release an extra album consisting of this music, however the task was ultimately shelved.

In 2012, Gilmour and Mason reunited to review the unused music from "The Division Bell" sessions and decided to use this material to develop an album as a tribute to Wright. They employed the help of producer Youth, taping engineer Andy Jackson, and composer/orchestrator David Bedford to form the big quantity of music into a meaningful piece.

The album was produced by David Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Youth, and Andy Jackson. Most of the original recordings from the 1994 sessions were used, with Gilmour and Mason said to have only contributed new guitar and drum parts. Singer Durga McBroom-Hudson was generated to include support vocals, while a 28-strong choir likewise appears on the album.

Idea and Structure
"The Endless River" has actually been referred to as a "constant flow of music", divided into 4 different and unique pieces. The album is generally a revisiting of the noises and designs that characterize Pink Floyd's substantial musical history, from the lush atmospheric soundscapes of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" to the pulsating rhythms of "Welcome to the Machine".

The album's idea and title were inspired by a lyric in "High Hopes", the final track of "The Division Bell": "the water flowing, the endless river". The title also functions as a metaphor for the continuity of Pink Floyd's music and the band's everlasting tradition.

Track Listing and Notable Tracks
The album includes 18 tracks, mostly instrumental apart from the last tune "Louder Than Words". A few of the noteworthy tracks include:

1. "Things Left Unsaid" - The opening track acts as an introduction to the album, with the sound of a distorted heartbeat and a voice sample of Stephen Hawking talking about expert system.
2. "Sum" - A dream-like soundscape accompanied by powerful drumming by Mason and Gilmour's skyrocketing guitar work.
3. "Skins" - An extreme drum solo by Mason, showcasing the prowess of the band's often-unsung drummer.
4. "Anisina" - A wonderfully managed track featuring calming saxophone melodies and Gilmour's signature guitar work.
5. "Louder Than Words" - The closing track and the only one with lyrics, the tune is a powerful declaration about the significance of music in the face of adversity and loss, featuring a poignant homage to Wright.

Reception and Legacy
"The Endless River" debuted at top in several countries and received mainly favorable evaluations from critics. It was applauded for its rich soundscapes, exceptional musicianship, and fitting homage to Wright. However, some critics felt that the album did not have the psychological depth of the band's earlier works.

Regardless, "The Endless River" functions as a fitting goodbye to among the most prominent bands in rock history. With its rich and climatic soundscapes, it's a simultaneous ode to the band's legacy and a testament to their long-lasting relevance.