Recorded following the fractious and unhappy sessions for Pink Floyd's The Final Cut, About Face represented a new start for David Gilmour. Freed from his tempestuous collaboration with Roger Waters, Gilmour was able to fall in love with the recording process all over again. The remarkably relaxed and confident About Face stands head and shoulders above anything Gilmour has done with the latter-day incarnation of the Floyd. With its dramatic crescendos and lyrics about "voices in your head," "Murder" is the most Floyd-like track on the album. Other highlights include the propulsive opener "Until We Sleep," the Dylanesque piano ballad "Out of the Blue," and the funky, horn-driven "Blue Light." The energy level flags a bit, but Gilmour's playing is dazzling throughout. It's an excellent effort, overall, and one which should appeal to more than just Floyd fans. --Dan Epstein