For whatever reason I’ve always musically associated Pink Floyd‘s work with the month of November. Whether it’s because their body of work is somewhat dreamy and dreary as a cloudy November day full of browns and gray, stark and painted with great contrasts as a crisp November day with bare trees against a clear sky, or just because their music evokes a mood similar to that I’ve always associated with this transitional month (similar to March) to me Pink Floyd and November are perfect sound partners.

Therefore, to see The Endless River, their first release of new material in twenty years and their final planned release take place during November seems to me a fitting way to end more than four decades of incredible music. Inspired by the sessions surrounding their previous album The Division Bell and the loss of keyboardist and original member Rick Wright, The Endless River is unique to the Floyd catalogue in that it is primarily instrumental; there’s only one sung track on the album. But make no mistake about it: the classic Pink Floyd “sound” is intact, made even more so by Wright’s contribution – one that is greater here than perhaps any time since their 1975 classic Wish You Were Here. And Wright’s contributions make one realize just how much of a part he played in creating that sound before bassist Roger Waters’ lyrical tendencies took the band off in a different (and not always positive or popular) direction.

Congrats to guitarist David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason for a fine and fitting end to Pink Floyd’s musical journey. Having Rick Wright along for one final ride makes it all not just worthwhile, but an incredibly joyful listen as well. I just wish my brother Mark could be around to hear it – as a huge fan of the classic Floyd sound I know he would have truly enjoyed it.