On An Island
by David Gilmour
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Mar 7, 2006
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    These tunes tend to meander and often feel like they should be going somewhere we never get to. But a lot of it is very lovely.
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    While Gilmour is in good voice, the unvarying pace is ultimately grating.
  3. PopMatters
    60
    On an Island finds Gilmour taking absolutely no risks, has nothing to pull out of its hat.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Enhanced with pretentious orchestration and filled with aimlessly pleasant acoustic ruminations, it attempts, and roundly fails, to replicate the magic of the Floyd in "Comfortably Numb" mode. [17 Mar 2006, p.111]
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  6. E! Online
    50
    In the end, Island makes Dave sound like he's just not enthusiastic about making music anymore.
  7. Drawer B
    50
    In small doses casual, uninformed listeners could mistake this for vintage Pink Floyd, but it lacks the tension of Pink Floyd’s passive aggressive rumble.
  8. Paste Magazine
    50
    Lyrics have never been Gilmour's forte, but now hooks have also abandoned him. [Jun/Jul 2006, p.117]
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  9. Rolling Stone
    40
    Gilmour sounds like his own man here, but you wish he had someone--anyone--to push him beyond these new adventures in tedium. [9 Mar 2006, p.92]
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Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2006
80
#80 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 81
  3. Negative: 8 out of 81
  1. Argeon
    Aug 7, 2015
    6
    Again, Gilmour demonstrates his lack of focus in this album. Gilmour is a great guitarist without any question, but The Island is just aAgain, Gilmour demonstrates his lack of focus in this album. Gilmour is a great guitarist without any question, but The Island is just a cluster of few memorable melodies and far less representative guitar solos.… Full Review »
  2. LennyB.
    Aug 16, 2007
    9
    I am a big David Gilmour fan and the slbum is excelent. His giuitar play is one of a kind.
  3. RemoR.
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    From the beggining to the end, a masterpiece. Twenty years after his last solo album, Mr. Gilmour keeps his "touch of God" in every track of From the beggining to the end, a masterpiece. Twenty years after his last solo album, Mr. Gilmour keeps his "touch of God" in every track of this release. Produced in cooperation with Manzanera and acompannied by many excellent players, including Mr. Wright, Wyatt, Newark and Pratt, On an Island is a jewel in the poor evil ways of instrumental-spacey-driven-contemporary-rock. Who cares about slow "tempos" and acoustic-moody melodies? Gilmour´s voice, guitar and spirit is quite strong here. note: Nash & Crosby contributed marvelously in the title track, and, to tell the truth, it´s really impressive to see Gilmour soloing extremely inspired almost 40 years after his artistic born in PInk Floyd.… Full Review »
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