The Madcap Laughs

JL : 1, Late Night

Syd's voice on this one sounds like Donovan, at least for the opening track, and then like Ringo Starr on Yellow Submarine. Pink Floyd would have been very different if he had remained, and I'm thankful for the direction Waters and Gilmour took it.

Moments of genius and moments of chaotic discomfort.

A weird album, sometimes doing a bit of a Beatles impression. Other songs that don’t appear to have been finished (not talking about the bonus tracks which are demos.

Unhinged and I’m here for it.

This was great! I'm a big floyd fan but had never checked this one out. Some beautiful songs, a very unique record. Lots of acoustic guitar give it a real spontaneous feel.

Alright, so this one was a very awkward listen. I looked into the history and Syd was essentially forced to complete this album despite him having been kicked out of Pink Floyd due to his mental struggles. Um...yea man, the first half is okay, but the lyrics are just not it and the instrumental passages don't ever really impress me, especially for psych rock things that were popular at the time. And then as you keep listening the album is just very struggled and hair brained and they all feel like drafts of songs? Some other review said outtakes and yeah, it kind of feels like that. The dude had no business putting this album together and it just feels like a view into this dude's brain. I don't think this should be on this list. I don't think this would exist if Pink Floyd wasn't the behemoth in music that it is. Sorry. This is no offense to the musician who was pushed to release this.

Tynt. God vurdering av PF å selge

I, uh. I thought Syd died when he was in Pink Floyd. This is okay? I don't love singer songwriter stuff in any form, really.

#1050. Pink Floyd made the right choice getting rid of this guy. 2/5: yawn

niskoključno vatra?? u svakom slučaju nije loše, al malo prenedosljedno... možda koji put popizdim i poslušam još jednom

We krijgen in ieder geval een interessante Wiki vandaag. Man zet Pink Floyd op de kaart, krijgt geholpen door een voorliefde voor willekeurige chemicaliën een aardige tik van de molen, spartelt nog wat na en legt zich daarna toe op schilderen en tuinieren. Dit album valt onder de na-spartelfase. Er is vast een groepje ultieme snobs die hier bijzonder in geïnteresseerd is, maar voor de reguliere luisteraar is het een wat onsamenhangend album, waarbij het af en toe best lekker luisteren is (track 4), maar waarbij af en toe de irritatie ook de kop op steekt. Ik denk dat ik liever de biografie lees dan dat ik de discografie luister. Een sterretje of 2 maak ik er van.

I liked it a lot, It can get silly, and I really like the outtakes and the song themes. Octopus might be my favorite

Very good psychedelic folk record. Love Syd Barrett.

This is proof that doing a bunch of drugs doesn’t make you a better artist.

4 - BAD

Genuinely got a headache listening to this. Rating: 1

Es klingt wie ein Blick in die WG eines leicht verwirrten, aber liebenswerten Mieters der frühen Siebziger: charmant chaotisch, manchmal genial, manchmal einfach nur seltsam. Er stolpert durch brüchige Akustik, unfertige Songskizzen und intime Momentaufnahmen, die mehr Atmosphäre als Struktur bieten.

I can appreciate what this is and what it represents to others but I find it hard to listen to long.

I have enjoyed Pink Floyd since forever. This is the first time I've ever thought to listen to Syd's solo work. So the guy had other issues going on and you get a feeling of that here. He had a long drawn out fight with his mental health and the drugs and the fame didn't help. He needed help. This album feels like that side of him. It makes me think he recorded this in his house with no input from others and just let it out in the world. If it wasn't for this being a Syd Barret solo album I don't think it even gets made or released. I question it's inclusion on the list for anything other than historical reasons. Like it shows what the others in Floyd did, including the producers. Not a good album but interesting in context that way.

This is hard to hear, he has obviously gone nuts and insane, I just can't listen to this as a massive Pink Floyd fan... 2/5

This is something my pretentious music friends in my 20s would have listened to. It’s weird that they didn’t.

Very tough album to listen to, which makes sense given his mental state. Really rough sound which is often excruciating but very occasionally works. Here I Go was my favourite song on the album and is also the only upbeat one. I did like how the production really made you feel like you are 'in the room', which certainly fitted the overall sound. 3/10

Listening session: august 25th, while eating dinner Listened to before: no Thoughts: not enjoyable at all for me, I don’t understand how this made the list Favourite tracks: Terrapin & Here I Go

This album isn't particularly captivating for me. It's not bad or difficult to listen to, it just doesn't stand out against the rest of the music from that era. It's very ambient, spacey, and feels like a singer songwriter album. It doesn't remind me of Pink Floyd at all, which yanno fine, it's his solo work right? But the disparity in energy levels between the two artists is enough to not realize they're connected without having looked it up. You can kind of hear the resemblance in Long Gone. Then he totally digresses in If It's In You, so yeah, maybe this album isn't so self-serious.

yesssss

I never listened to old Pink Floyd and thought there were too many instruments

Felt a little try hard

Before discussing the album, a brief history lesson is required to even understand what this really is. In Pink Floyd's first incarnation, they were led by Syd Barrett, whose work with the band is notable for it's ultra-colorful, deeply psychedelic, and subtly dark eccentricities. However, while completing Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, Barrett's mental state began rapidly deteriorating. The reason for this is not *precisely* known, but it's generally agreed that he had previously existing disorders, which both worsened on their own, and were most likely exacerbated by Barrett's use of increasingly intense drugs (LSD gets the most common blame here, and it probably didn't help, but it's worth noting that the majority of Barrett's mental deterioration occurred after he began really messing around with STP and Mandrax, which are, to be blunt, *largely*, much riskier). Soon enough, his behavior became erratic enough that he was incapable of remaining with Pink Floyd. Although, he still had interest in creating music, and went to some of his old record company contacts, who pretty much all enthusiastically accepted his proposal to make some new stuff, and tried to get some recordings out of him in a way that I can only really describe as exploitative (note that, with the information I have presently, I have no bitterness towards the *musicians* who tried to help Barrett out, including (later) Pink Floyd, who it really seem like just wanted to help their old friend. Whether or not enabling him to release an album was the best thing for him, I do not know, but it at least seems to have come from a good place). This took approximately a year, and produced inconsistently coherent takes of various songs, many of which got released decades later, if at all. During this time, all sorts of studio musicans got involved with the intent of realizing Barrett's vision, including the majority of the band Soft Machine. Pretty much everyone who worked with Barrett found the experience difficult (or impossible), with the notable exception of Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt, who happened to be the right type of deeply fascinating man to pretty much get "it" immediately, and, if he is to be believed, find the experience generally pleasant. This basically went on until Barrett approached Pink Floyd to help him out, and they approached the producer about taking over his role, an offer he accepted immediately, because he was getting tired of the experience, and EMI was running out of patience, and pretty much declared that Barrett needed to produce something releasable soon. So, Pink Floyd managed to get Barrett to finish the project up in *2* days, and this is what we have to show for it. With that novella out of the way, I enjoyed The Madcap Laughs quite a bit, but it is genuinely upsetting on some level. The lyrics here are disjointed and *deeply* surreal in a way that can only really be read as sad within the context of Barrett's life. And the music itself is on some level similar to the stuff on Piper At The Gates. He is still a fascinating songwriter who manages to capture a lot of what made his earlier work interesting, granted through different methods. Aside from isolated moments, a lot of the brightness is gone, and the psychedelia here comes more from a shadowy place. The compositions are loose and unconventionally assembled. And his vocals sound, basically, strung out, you just have to hear them. It's also worth noting that the fraught sessions resulted a collection of songs with wildly variable levels of polish. Songs like Love You, Here I Go, and Golden Hair feel just a little off, but are still conventionally catchy and assembled the way music usually is. Terrapin, No Good Trying, and Octopus are a little more sour and offputting, but still structured and recorded in a way that is approximately familiar. But Dark Globe and If It's In You are borderline outsider art. Dark Globe is still pretty compelling, if performed in a way that is intense in a way that transcends the usual boundaries of performance in a slightly worrying way. But If It's In You is built around vocal runs and guitar work which are a tad bit rough to listen to, even for my tastes. Despite, or perhaps due in part to, the complications around this album, it *is* fascinating. It provides another chapter to Syd Barrett's story that really puts things in perspective. And even if it's existence is, perhaps, not entirely ethical, the musicians who helped on here helped Barrett's voice be heard, as rough as it may be, and I think that counts for something.

It was fine.

Comfy Psych as we expect from Syd, he can really take us on a trip through his own mind. Standouts are No Man’s Land, Octopus and Late Night.

Pas crazy, mais c’est le former member de pinkfloyd so c’est hard pour le lore

BOO, another boring ass british 60-70s artist. Why doe these all sound the exact same?

This record is a perfect example of why all ratings are subjective and mean nothing outside of your own head. I have no idea if this is “good” or “bad”. I recognise Syd Barrett’s contribution to one of the greatest bands of all time. But the two questions I ask when rating an album are - how much did I enjoy it, and how much would I want to listen to it again? And I’m really sorry Syd, but this gets a 1.

Sad for the world to lose his genius to madness before it was fully realized. What do you do when you're young and famous and out of your skull, but make an album? Terrapin is a solid tune on here, but a lot of the rest is just pleasant meandering. I can't imagine how hard this was to record, took over a year I think and was abandoned repeatedly. I guess we shouldn't be surprised considering this was made AFTER his epically mad final session as a member of Pink Floyd, described by the rest of the band here: https://youtu.be/0iKsFuIlvtc?si=iTKBSr8wwiI4IXGL

It's perhaps not fair, but my first reaction to seeing that we got a solo Syd Barrett album was "where's any of Roger Waters' solo albums"? Sadly, things didn't get much better after that, mainly because I'm not a fan of Barrett's psychedelic music stylings (with or without Pink Floyd). I'm sure it didn't help his case either that this seemed largely a charity effort for everyone involved, given how much he'd spiraled down into his mental health issues (or whatever or however one could characterize his beyond-eccentric and challenging behavior). There are a few decent-to-good spots on the album, though, mainly the Donovan-/Rodriguez-esque "It's no good trying", "Dark globe" and "Long gone"; on the other hand, "If it's in you" is execrable. I'm also struck with how similar his voice (and lyrics) remind me of Leonard Cohen, which is a weird connection to make, I'll admit. I'll admit too that I was kind of shocked to read that Barrett lived into the 21st century, dying in 2006 of pancreatic cancer after decades painting and gardening in a country house; I always assumed that when he got booted from Pink Floyd in 1968, and then made a solid impression of a disturbed homeless guy when he visited Pink Floyd at Abbey Road Studios while they were recording "Wish You Were Here" (5 years after this album was released), that he'd disappeared not long afterwards (either permanently institutionalized or dead). Apparently not, and his family claimed that he didn't seem to have significant mental health issues from the 80s onwards. Regardless, I would have much preferred to have Waters' "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking" in place of this mess, though.

Repetitive and inane for the most part. Feels a little like some of Brian Wilson's later work.

An appropriate title, unfortunately, since the album is farcically bad. Barrett himself obviously has some talent (both historically and in this album itself), but it feels like a comedy where the artist isn't in on the joke. It's somewhat akin to Matejko Stańczyk: a tortured, tragic harlequin, as nonsensical as it is melancholic, but it doesn't make very coherent or interesting music. A poor man's Nick Drake, if you will. Fav tracks: Terrapin

This was fine; “If It’s In You” was horrible Playlist add: “Late Night”

The emotions surrounding this record are stronger than songs themselves.

Like most teenage boys who grew up in a specific time frame and discovered the joys of listening to music in an enhanced state of mind, I loved Pink Floyd. Mostly, Meddle-The Wall (the classics), but as my music tastes evolved and got a little less mainstream, I started exploring the lesser known bands of the sixties. Specifically, the psychedelic garage rock that I first became aware of from the Nuggets compilation. The 13th Floor Elevators, The Stooges, The Sonics, MC5, the Triggs and early Pink Floyd. For some reason I never explored it before. Maybe someone told me it sucked or something. Syd Barrett, where have you been all my life? What a goddamn weirdo. I love him. There is no one comparable. Maybe Robyn Hitchcock who is heavily influenced by Syd and, thankfully, not as psychologically fragile. There’s definitely an appeal to listening to music made by someone who is cognitively vulnerable. They go where no one else can possibly imagine. The only real comparison I can think of is Daniel Johnston. There’s others Wesley Willis, Jad Fair, R. Stevie Moore… but there’s only one Syd Barrett. It’s like circus music if the circus was run by mad geniuses on LSD. I love this album. It’s not for everybody. I’m sure I’m in the minority. Therefore, I ll give it a 4.5. Just know in my heart it’s a five.

Not my thing

I had enough at about the twenty-minute mark. I suppose it’s an interesting historical document as the first solo album of Pink Floyd’s founder amidst his leaving the band under a cloud of mental illness and drug addiction. But it is too lightweight to stand on its own, despite contributions from other Pink Floyd members. He has some nice chops and keeps the swirly psychedelia of the era to a tasteful level, but the sound rarely varies and I was ready to get off that train by halfway through.

"We had very little time...Syd was very difficult, we got that very frustrated feeling: Look, it's your fucking career, mate. Why don't you get your finger out and do something? The guy was in trouble, and was a close friend for many years before then, so it really was the least one could do." David Gilmour (interview with Daryl Easlea for Record Collector, May 2003) In a nutshell: the mad piper having a laugh. Syd Barrett gives me "personality hire" vibes here- likeable yet not entirely capable of doing their job well. What was going on in that head of yours, Syd? I wish I knew... Overall: 1/10

Painful listen as know he had mental issues, not bad, not great !

Kind of sad to listen to I think

I can't wait to hear it once it's finished.

This one wasn’t for me either.

This was super interesting because it shouldn't really be an album. This was just demo's or practice tapings of someone ABOUT to write a song. Sounded like Paul McCartney's outtakes of songs he threw away. Started out with at least some interesting sounds that were kinda 90's then went 60's then went practice recordings. Not a fan but glad I listened so I know.

This was honestly so much better than I thought it would be, I think leaving Pink Floyd and picking up an acoustic instead of an electric did him a lot of good. He sounds a lot more in control and less scattered on this, it really feels like a world of difference compared to Piper. Obviously there's a couple missteps (look out for songs shorter than 2 minutes), but generally this is a very solid and respectable album from him. Favorites: No Man's Land, She Took a Long Cold Look, Late Night

I have loved this album since my best mate aged 13/14 found his older brother's copy in a box in the attic. It was the double edition with the follow up included too. I think its mood perfectly fits that sort of age. The melodies are quite child like at times but the sounds and songs are rebellious and angsty in places. The band on the Malcolm Jones produced stuff are fantastic the way they respond to and match Syd's unique lopsided approach to things. The bare Gilmour/Waters productions are a little exploitative when it gets to including bits of failed takes. And it has fed into the tendency to either dismiss Syd as a hopeless acid casualty/victim of mental health, or indeed the opposite tendency to worship him as the ultimate out there outsider artist. Both feel a bit reductive. I suspect he knew what he was doing more than is sometimes made out. E.g. the Have You Got It Yet? episode with Floyd just sounds hilarious and intentionally pointed. I like Piper At The Gates of Dawn and the early Floyd singles but I think he wrote his best songs for his solo stuff. The follow-up Barrett is every bit as good with a more sympathetic production duo of Gilmour and Wright pulling off a sound more in keeping if a little less innovative than Jones work on The Mad Cap Laughs.

hmm 2

The madcap laughs is a perfect name for this record. A bit mad, and a bit whimsical. Oh poor, beautiful Syd. This album feels like you can hear his descent, as things are just a tad off. He’s still a great songwriter and master of a psychedelic sound - here capturing some psych folk, pop, and rock all together. But it also sounds a bit like a man who’s going losing it, mind’s going off the rails. This push and pull can make it a fun weird listen, or something a bit darker and sadder. Either way, there’s some good tunes here and it feels like what Syd wanted to do rather than a pristine record meant to top the charts.

Absolutely captivating.

I never really got the Syd Barrett thing - I don’t like piper at the gates of dawn I think it’s criminally British and has too many songs about gnomes. Less interesting musically than later Pink Floyd just kinda outsider arty - people just like the story I think. This is kinda fun though? Some really interesting totally off rhythm songs that somehow hold together and a couple songs that are actually good by the standard of “song” - Dark Globe is great. Is the album great? No!

I was so worried that this would be a hot mess of an album 30seconds into the first track. Sadly, my fears came true- but at least I came to appreciate this album as a sad farewell of the brilliant but troubled guy eulogized in my favorite Pink Floyd albums. If I listened to this long enough I could Stockholm Syndrome myself into loving it, but I don't think I'll do that. 2.75/5, rounding up due to the compelling lore around this album.

Pretty sloppy. I could see how he would contribute to PF but this is half baked at most.

Bargain brand Beatles with an extra dose of depression.

1.5/5. Any fascination I have with this album lies entirely with the story of Syd Barrett himself and less with the album. His story is a fascinating and extremely depressing one. A legend of psychedelia who was a founding member of Pink Floyd, but was ousted from the band due to heavy drug use and a severely declining mental state. Instead of getting Syd help, his managers opted to take him into the studio for some solo material, which over two years of difficult recording resulted in this album. So is it a piece of genius outsider art that delves into the mind of one of psych-rocks most troubled pioneers? My answer is no. It’s listening to a man having a mental breakdown over what are essentially demo-quality recordings. The opener “Terrapin” is handily the best on the album, but it rapidly plummets from that point until the final few tracks which are basically just outtakes. I found “if it’s in you” so annoying vocally that I looked it up specifically, and now knowing the condition that Barrett was in while recording that song is just depressing. As I said at the start, there is the tiniest bit of interest with this album due to the history of Syd Barrett, but musically it is bad and occasionally very annoying.

yuppp drugs

Pretty run of the mill avant-garde psychedelic rock music.

Rustgevend! Aangenaam

Ok Syd. I am very, VERY curious… Yeah. This is somewhere between a 2 and a 3 for me. I really didn’t enjoy it. I thought I might. It does not show Syd Barrett the musical genius, misunderstood as he struggles with drug addiction and mental illness, imo. Most of the song writing here is derivative, not in a good way. And it all sounds like demos, again, not in a good way. There are artists who struggled with mental heath and drugs/alcohol in one capacity or another whose demos I actually like better than their final product, Jason Molina is a case in point. Others have mentioned Nick Drake. I often have liked his demos better than his final professionally produced recordings as well. This isn’t to say that all mentally ill song writers are the same. But there’s a mythology surrounding Barrett, and this album doesn’t support it. At least not after my first encounter and first listen. 2 Boolean: true?

This album and I did not gel. It sounded like it could have been later Beatles.

The wailings of a mad man, getting worse as the album goes on as maybe he did. A bit voyeuristic maybe. No reason to listen to this with so many contemporary floyd albums

Was somehow dissapointed, also because I expected something else,

A strang blend of catchy and weird songs. Favorite songs: Here I go ; Octopus

Unfortunately very much not for me.

2.7

I kinda dug the shorts vibes, but still very baroque sixties feeling

British bias, although this album had a Bit more variety and creativity on display than the last one. The vocals are still lethargic and annoying. I don't want to be xenophobic, but it's hard to get over the British inflection on the vocals, and the sameness. Many of the songs are very loose rhythmically which just makes it come off as unorganized stream of consciousness. I liked it less than the last album to be honest

I had some hopes for this one. As you know, I'm not a Pink Floyd fan, but I've long had a vague notion that their best work was at the very beginning, when Syd Barrett was in the group (in particular, "Piper at the Gates of Dawn," their first album). Unfortunately, the songs here strike me as a not very notable collection of demos. Apparently, Barrett was hampered by some combination of drug use and mental illness. In any case, there's not much here to recommend this collection of songs. I think I can just about (barely?) manage to give it a low 2 stars. I was surprised when this one popped up, that I wasn't really even aware that this album existed, and felt a slight hope that perhaps this might be a hidden/undiscovered (by me) gem. In hindsight, though, my unfamiliarity with the existence of this album should have been a warning flag: there's a reason why I hadn't heard of it. Final thought: Brit Bias? (Trying, of course, to account for why this album is on here.)

too casual. too long. The version of the album I got included extra takes, even though the album takes are already demo-esque. That excess might knock it down to 1 star. I was liking it at the start. Scratchy guitar in dreamy, druggy haze made "Terrapin" an intriguing opener, but it never got better, only worse and more tiresome.

es como escuchar a pink floyd pero un pink floyd joven, fresco e inocente pero con mucha vitalidad

No way this is an album you ever need to hear, unless it's to illustrate how terrible music can get. Utter garbage... 1/5

Very mediocre album. At it’s best it was uninspired, bland, it sort of had an improvised feel to it - as if he was trying things out with his guitar. At it’s worst it was downright unlistenable. The first song was a bore. I despised Love You. And what the fuck was “if it’s in you”?! Painful to listen to. Painful.

Joda, det va omtrent som forventa, det.

Not very good... vocals are really bad, instrumentals do not make up for it. 2/5

I liked it. Didn’t really blow me away but can still respect the work put in

2/5

Guy can’t sing on key, can’t play guitar, and the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in a shoe box.

Deep, direct, unfiltered, haunted, and fragile

3/10

Oof. Painful.

Bored out of my mind

So unfinished that it's hard to listen to. If It's In You in particular should never have seen the light of day.

Sad sad sad demos with an occasional glimmer of something almost interesting, but not enough to redeem it.

Says Barrett is the most overrated classic rock figure of all time.

just guitar and drums. idk what is so cool there.

OK, but the style of his vocals grates a bit on my ears. ★★

Can’t wait for them to finish the album

I quite like the ramshackle British psych-folk storyteller charm, but despite some brilliant flourishes I’m not sure it will live long in my memory. Similar to my experience of Robert Wyatt’s Rock Bottom, it’s not quite “my” type of psych-folk.

Syd gets a solid 4 from me, I understand the criticisms of this album and it’s creation but i treasure his voice and songwriting almost as much as i did on Piper

Unpleasant AF.

I kind of zoned out to be honest.

Basically unlistenable

This was dire

“This is a song about a girl that I knew/ She didn’t like my songs” Yeah, I can see that.

This belongs on the list, as an important document of a significant musical figure, but it doesn't hide its flaws. There are a handful of workable songs here - Last Night, Octupus, No Good Trying - but a lot that might not even benefit from being more than half-formed

did not live up to the standards of the work he had with Floyd for sure (IMO).

Went to listen to this only to realise I already listened to it two days ago... Which isn't a good sign

Apparently historically significant, but that didn't make it an enjoyable listen.

Definitely more interesting as a "what-if" than as a complete album, but the alternate psych-pop future presented here is still compelling and completely unmoored from reality.

Not vibing with this

As much as I like Pink Floyd, I was really taken aback at how bad this album was. Droning vocals, weird arrangements (even for him), and the songs seemed to drag on forever. Pink Floyd did make all their best stuff after Syd left the band, so this might be a case of addition by subtraction, especially after hearing his solo output. Not a good listen. 2/5

I prefer Pink Floyd

Dull, ponderous, plodding. This album should not have been made - vanity project

An unfortunate situation where I start out vibing with the album but become more apathetic as the album goes on

Album plat à mourir

Album #209 Syd Barrett: The Madcap Laughs In Here I Go, Barrett tells the tale of meeting up with a girl who no longer wants anything to do with him since he left a band; in the end, he ends up winning because he gets with the girl’s sister, and I suppose his old band can take some consolation in becoming the biggest band of the 70s. The legacy of Syd Barrett far exceeds the actual familiarity that most people have with his work; big Floyd fans will be familiar with ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, and probably familiar with the stories of Barrett’s mental collapse which would ultimately inspire ‘Wish You Were Here’, but few actually have delved deep enough into the man to listen to ‘The Madcap Laughs’. I was one of those ignorant people who had never heard this album before, and after getting ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ a few days ago and hearing about this album through David Bowie’s top 25 album list, I became pretty interested in listening to it; fate then took over and presented this album to me today. I had some grievances with Barrett’s lyrics on Floyd’s debut, oftentimes finding them to be a bit too whimsical, yet here he comes across as so vulnerable and captivating that it isn’t hard to be pulled into these songs. His raw, crackly vocals and lo-fi setting make this feel like the ‘In the Aeroplane Over the Sea’ of the 70s. This album displays perfectly Barrett’s undeniable charisma; he truly feels like a one-of-a-kind songwriter and performer, and anyone who had the pleasure of hearing it would surely feel the loss to the music world that his absence left. I almost feel bad that I enjoy his work so much more when he was going through a mental health crisis, though I suppose it is only natural that when we are at our most troubled is when we are at our most vulnerable. I can definitely hear the influence that this album had on Bowie, so I’m not surprised to hear he loves it, and I’m sure that many an inspiring songwriter also had this album close by. Though ‘Wish You Were Here’ is still my favourite Barrett-related piece of music, The Madcap Laughs is definitely an album which proves that he is just as talented as the members of the band he left. Best Songs: Terrapin, Octopus, Here I Go Worst Song: She Took a Long Cold Look Score Out Of 10: 8

I thought I had about half the songs from this in my rotation, but I was wrong, more must be from Barrett than I realised, which means I had not added most of these tracks to my personal collection. Was I right? The three tracks I picked out from the album - Dark Globe, Here I Go, and Octopus - I would pick again. The rest I would still leave. The rest of them seem to me to be more or less demo versions where session musicians have been brought in to add fullness to the sound, which I think is basically what happened. But I think most of the tracks would be improved by removing the backing band who seem to be forcing their presence in, trying to make themselves seem necessary. I would be interested to hear these tracks as sung by Syd alone with a guitar, which is how he must have composed them. See Feel, which is exactly this! The unwanted interference is even there in the album's title - it is taken from the lyrics of Octopus, but Barrett clearly sings "the mad CAT laughs at the man on the corner", not "madcap". This album is the sound of someone trying to wring money out of Syd, and hurting him in the process. Terrapin still has some of the magic of Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, similar rhythm to Astronomy Domine, but the lyrics are half-formed and the backing is just two guitars barely strummed. Golden Hair has something of the same dreaminess and etherealness of early Pink Floyd also. No Good Trying is like a half-finished, free verse poem which is almost incidentally sung over a band trying to jam along. It's not a coherent track. Something similar could be said for Love You as well. So yeah. I love Syd Barrett's time with Pink Floyd. The Pink Floyd of that era might be my favourite band ever, but I don't love this album.

Pffff... Ik was al niet echt fan van dit album. Maar If it's in you, dat haalt me echt over; Dit is gewoon pure shit. Typisch weer zo'n album dat nooit in de buurt was gekomen van een 1001 beste albums lijst als er een andere naam onder had gestaan dan Syd Barrett. Maar deze meneer heeft in Pink Floyd gezeten, dus dit is geweldig. Is niet hoe het werkt cheffies, in tegendeel. Dit was een ontzettend matig album, hij heeft geen hele sterke zangstem, instrumentaal is het vrij minimaal en ik kan hier nou niet echt iets uithalen wat daadwerkelijk mijn aandacht pakt. Wil je weten waar de haat tegen dit album vandaan komt? Luister naar If it's in you, waarin Syd gewoon vals zingt. Of niet gewoon vals zingt, bijzonder, belachelijk vals zingt. Gelukkig begint hij wel nog een keer opnieuw, zodat hij dat nummer nog een keer goed kan verkrachten.

There are some condescending views of this album that contend it’s in poor taste, that Syd was taken advantage of in some way i.e. Wesley Willis or something like that, but I’ve never understood that; now that he’s gone, isn’t it better for all of us (and for Syd) that we got to see this evidence of what he could accomplish before mental illness completely took hold of him and destroyed any ability he might have had to demonstrate his talent? Because he clearly had quite a bit, if this album is taken as evidence; you don’t come across a sound like this (an almost singular combination of childlike and disturbing) by accident. I’m glad we have it. Best track: “Late Night”

Wild verhaal, decent album

Als Pink Floyd niet de fenomenale band was geworden in de jaren hierna, had niemand hier ooit naar geluisterd. Crazy dat dit verwant is aan Floyd. Echt een grafbende van een album. Een soort rommelige demo's met dertien-in-een-dozijn psychedelische, folky instrumentatie en de meest belabberde vocals die je je voor kan stellen. Harde nope van mij.

Appreciate the role this played & its influence, but not something I'll listen to again soon.

Some of its fine, but not great. Maybe mediocre?

This is definitely someone going through it, but I like the songwriting and it has the feel of stumbling upon a dude with a guitar in a coffee shop going for it. Without this I wonder if we get Robyn Hitchcock or other off kilter artists. R.E.M.'s cover of Dark Globe is a highlight of their outtakes, so I recommend people check that out if they want to hear what these songs would sound like with more production.

Echoing others with saying how difficult this is to listen to. There's certain bits where you could turn and go yeah this is a genius, and then 20 minutes later you're begging to skip. Its a hard one. Rip syd.

There must be a better example of an album to represent the exploitative nature of the music industry than this. Musically this ranges from OK to horrid – the obviously unfinished demos towards the end are a shameful inclusion from whoever was pulling the strings at that point. Musically it just doesn't belong on the list. And surely there's better examples of artists being exploited – as in, better music so that we can illustrate that point?

Nedstrippet postscript til Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd. Talentet hans for å skrive små-trippy folk-låter er fortsatt på plass, men sporene av undergangen hans er med vilje inkludert -- spesielt synlig på If It's in You. Det er en lo-fi sårbarhet her som igrunn er rimelig tidlig ute. Nå er det lenge siden jeg hørte dette sist, men låtene sitter fortsatt. Spesielt Terrapin og Octopus er låter jeg kan komme på til helt tilfeldige tider.

Skjønner at Bowie var fan av dette. Fungerer som en slags epilog til hans tid med Pink Floyd, med «Shine On You Crazy Diamond» som en slags rulletekstlåt. Uansett, et soloprosjekt som egentlig er det beste jeg har hørt av et Pink Floyd-medlem. Bedre enn en del Pinl Floyd-plater også. Det har et visst demopreg, men det har kanskje mer med Barretts mentale tilstand enn måten det er spilt inn på. Liker folkpreget og liker også låtene som er mer noise, slik som «No Man’s Land». Det som drar ned er at det er litt all over the place, og det er kanskje ikke rart med innspilling over så lang tid, med ulike produsenter og varierende mental helse.

He’s no Pink Floyd.

The Madcap Laughs confirms what most Pink Floyd fans already thought, or knew, about Syd Barrett's contributions to the band. On this solo outing, Barrett gets fuzzy and rockin' but also still whimsical and psychedelic. I'm about half and half on Barrett; even down to his songwriting, I love certain aspects of songs, but not the whole thing. Such is true of the album as a whole. Despite the unnevenness of the record, I can't deny that it's fun and interesting. Not sure how essential The Madcap Laughs is, or how often I would return to Barrett's solo work.

#177/1001 🇬🇧🍄 Recorded after Syd left Pink Floyd. Its the first time i've heard it, listened twice back to back and whilst its not unlistenable, there isnt a lot to make me come back again. Best tracks: No Good Trying, Long Gone.

I was so bored. Couldn't finish. I must be missing context here, why was this in this list?

2 1/2

Pure shite

Painful

It’s okay

Meget splittet på den her, faldt i hans Wikipedia side mens jeg lyttede. Sørgelig historie, man kan stille spørgsmålstegn ved om den burde være blevet udgivet. Enkelte numre spiller men generelt ikke et album der burde være på listen imo

Meget behageligt lyt, nogen gange lidt for goofy

First half is pretty good, last half is questionable... 2+

Definitely sounded like something from it's time - not necessarily in the bad way, but just... something to be expected?

Syd Barrett's The Madcap Laughs is a very difficult album to rate. I can understand why it has gained a kind of cult status over the years. After reading about Syd Barrett's mental struggles, it becomes almost impossible to listen to the album without that context in mind. His state seems to be present throughout the record, not just in the lyrics but also in the strange, unpredictable sphere and the overall vibe. The album almost leaves you uncomfortable at times, definitely toward the second half.

Gear: SIMGOT SuperMix 4 Artwork: 🥀🦶📷 Production: 📏🥾😑 Music: 😳🤨😖 Rating: 🤡(🤡)/5

Terrapin - 3.5/5 No Good Trying - 4/5 Love You - 2.5/5 No Man's Land - 3.5/5 Dark Globe - 3.5/5 Here I Go - 2.5/5 Octopus - 4/5 Golden Hair - 2.5/5 Long Gone - 3/5 She Took a Long Cold Look - 3/5 Feel - 3/5 If It's In You - 2.5/5 Late Night - 3/5 Is it weird to be listening to what is the musical equivalent of someone having a mental break. Or who thought it was a wise idea to give the guy who was booted out of Pink Floyd for mental issues a solo album so we get to hear his mental breakdown? There are some interesting things in here, some proto-punk hidden within the end-of-an-era British folk, but it definitely feels like both the genre and Barrett at the ends of their respective ropes. Some highs, some equal lows, so a score right in the middle makes sense. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: No Good Trying, Octopus

Det er lidt en søsyg fornemmelse jeg sidder tilbage med. Der er klart Beatles over det, også mere end en sang om en fjollet blæksprutte.

Jeg får lidt samme vibes som når Beatles er mest fjollede. Det er ikke mega godt, men heller ikke ulideligt at høre på.

"If it's in you" was a bit much. Otherwise, this was good. Not amazing. Totally not what I expected. Way more folky. Good on ya, Syd! 3.79

In retrospect, this album probably shouldn't have been recorded or encouraged. It was though and it's rather sad to hear the voice of someone who was seriously fucked up. I had a copy of this decades ago and thought it was cool, now it's just a bit sad really and not desperately cool at all.

Friends don't let friends sing and play out of tune.

I felt awful listening to this. The Syd Barrett story happened before I was born -- and yet it is still such a cautionary tale for all of us.

Syd was troubled, and it shows in the album. It's a brilliant but flawed. It's flaws make it more impact full in a way. Dark Globe is devastating. Terrain and No Good Trying are great. If It's in You has a rough start with Syd failing to hit the high note and having to start over. Once he hits it though, I can see his intent, and though, like some of the other songs, it's not perfect, it's still brilliant. We are lucky Syd was able to record this album

Did not like this at all

didn't really enjoy this

I don't like this.

This was a rough listen. An example of a guy who's clearly talented but has really gone off the rails and needed someone to guide him back on track. "Octopus" was about the only song on here I enjoyed. Everything else would have flashes of potential but then devolve into nothing.

The sound of early 60s London except awful.

Been wanting to check this out as I am a huge Pink Floyd fan. Admittedly I've always been more into the post-Barrett era but I can't deny that he brought something unique to the band while he was involved. It was really cool hearing more from the guy Shine on you crazy diamond... 🫡 Favorite track: Octopus

The legendary man that was the genius behind early Pink Floyd. That's what I've been told, but this did not live up to that in any way. Maybe he was too far gone mentally at this point and its no fault of his own that this was produced and pressed. That being said, it exists and I had to sit through 37 long minutes of dull psychedelic dredge.

At first during the first song I thought I'd like this album but mid-way through the second track I knew it was going to be a chore to listen to. The album feels like it's trying way too hard to be something edgy, but for me it fails to deliver anything beyond boring, monotone tracks. The vocal delivery is horrible to listen to as well. There are some redeeming features - the musicianship itself isn't bad - but overall it's not fun to listen to.

This is really f*&%*$g bad!

Another one that I should theoretically like but it was just weird.

This is quite a hard album to rate. I really wanted to enjoy it as it is Syd Barrett but like some of mentioned it’s quite a hard listen. It starts off quite well, cohesive and coherent but then does it seem to unravel as it goes on and is this a reflection on the artist making it. I am not sure. On the whole I did enjoy it and will listen again definitely

First half sounded like any other '60s band, the other half was just demos and failed attempts.

This is a strange one. If I were to judge the album completely on its own I'd give it a weak 2 stars, but I feel to give it more based on the history that surrounds it. A big reason I love going through this list of albums is learning about people and bands, and learning about Syd Barrett and how instrumental he was in forming Pink Floyd, but then largely discarded was fascinating. This album is rough, outtakes are included in the core tracks and it meanders greatly. However it is fun and whimsical even if you can tell the author was struggling with his mental health. Interesting circumstances surround this one, but it isn't one that I think I'll revisit anytime soon. Standouts: Octopus, Late Night Rating: 2.5/5

A much more sleepy Pink Floyd

At best it reminded me of Neutral Milk Hotel but worse in almost every single capacity or late era Beatles but worse in almost every single capacity, and at worst, I just desperately wanted the song to finish without me having to hear more outtakes and wails or w/e else. Felt like a waste of 40 minutes honestly.

I was excited for this album. I hadn't listened to a ton of Syd Barrett. I was bored. A lot of these songs sounded exactly the same. I was also not enjoying his voice that much. Sorry, Syd.

This wasn’t bad. Had some Beatles vibes at times. 3/5

I thought this would be one where it was more fun to read about then listen to but the first half of this was pretty good. The way the tempo of the songs seem to randomly change whenever Syd feels like it is quite cool. Rating: 4.1

First time for the songs let alone the album… Tough one to grade. Some of it was Floyd and Beatles-esque while others seemed like a demo. Not bad though. My standout songs: No Good Trying Love You Here I Go Octopus Late Night

I quite like the Barrett-era Floyd albums and have given these solo albums a go several times throughout the years but they just... don't really do anything for me.

Makes you wish it were Pink Floyd. It's like Diet Pink Floyd. Eh.

Uninteresting

The only thing more monotonous than a Pink Floyd album is album made by its individual members. Yeesh. What a slog.

Some heady cotton candy and humor but little that hits the emotions directly

Yikes

Sure, why not just include a Syd Barrett solo album? He's British and was in a popular band. That works. I beg someone to tell me what is special about this album if the name "Syd Barrett" wasn't the name of the artist. My favorite songs: No Good Trying No Man's Land Dark Globe Octopus Long Gone

Perfectly fine. I think the reason why I didn't completely get on with it is the fact of the situation behind it. Syd Barrett was clearly a genius, as seen in his work as part of Pink Floyd, however you can tell the copious amounts of substances were really catching up with him here, and it's a shame how people took advantage of him. Only about half of this stuff really works, with the rest being actually a little grating. Favourite track: No Good Trying Least favourite track: Here I Go

La première partie est au niveau des meilleurs albums de la période. Puis, petit, on entend Syd Barrett rattrapé par sa santé mentale et ça devient un peu triste.

I found it hard to be objective. It hasnt dated well and the tracks needed Floyds music. Piper at the gates of Dawn was Syd Barrett at his best his lyrics Roger Waters et al music. All tracks were capable of being See Emily Play with the right music/production.

Objectively bollocks. Sounds like a man losing the plot. It is a man losing the plot. It's hard to enjoy, but equally hard not to like some of it. The structure is almost reflecting a man's descent - but I'm cynical and not sure that it's intentional. A difficult listen, and really, not worthy of this list of albums.

achei q a lanne gostaria desse

3 e meio

I really love how raw and unpolished this is. I loved all of the various takes for some individual songs at the end of the 1993 reissue. I will add this to my regular rotation. A side of Syd Barrett I was aware of but unfamiliar with. A real talent.

The guy has an incredible history and clearly has talent but this just wasn’t quite my kind of music, it felt unfinished

A solid offering that sounds a lot like a lot of other things. Some of the tracks made me cringe though. 4/10

Not great.

This was a weird one to get as a birthday album, but I respect its place in the pantheon of Floyd. Dark Globe gives me major The Wall down in that raw strange Roger Waters way.

Interesting sound, very chill indie narriative

I'm honestly surprised to the response this record gets on here, I thought it was a delight! Barrett is a great songwriter and most of the songs here kept me engaged. Highlights-Terrapin, No Good Trying, Dark Globe, Here I Go, Octopus, and Golden Hair

It's a mid album. I'm already getting sick of this program recommending me melancholy singer-songwriter records.

Not for me! Unfortunately sounds like a less happy, less harmonious version of The Beatles. Especially Octopus.

I spent a lot of time with this album in college. I remember wondering why/how he was so comfortable with the guitar mistakes, spending hours deciphering the lyrics and wondering how he was able to craft such imagery with his word choice and how the uneven production was ‘approved’ by the record company at a time when the label had all of the power… I love this album in the way one would love a spouse’s art project - you love it because they love it. Ice cream ‘scuse me I’ve seen you looking good the other evening!

A better anti-drug PSA than DARE will ever be cuz holy shit man how much acid could one man POSSIBLY be on. An occasional psychedelic banger hidden in a bunch of the most confusing music your brain will ever try to comprehend is good enough for a 2/5. Best: No Man's Land Worst: Love You Liked songs: 4/13 High 2

In a vacuum, it kinda sucks. You really need the rock history context to understand the meaning and purported importance of this album. More than half a century on, this sounds as obscure and irrelevant as you probably think it is. Because the album requires backstory, it doesn't stand on its own merit (what merit?) and thus shouldn't appear here.

Ihan ok. 3/5.

A brain ruined by acid and other psychedelics, post ego death and post shame. I want to call it self-indulgent, but the music doesn’t sound like Barrett was able to indulge in much at all anymore. Listening to this just bummed out in a way that feels masochistic rather than cathartic

Loved it. Felt like a Pink Floyd album but a little weirder.

I don't like his voice very much

Lite mindre geni, lite mera ordning och reda och detta hade varit på min personliga topplista. Nu anar man bara konturerna av en klassiker där tidig Pink Floyd möter Peter Dougherty. En fyra iaf

I love large parts of Pink Floyd's output. Starting with The Wall (which I can absolutely do without these days, except for a couple of songs) I worked my way through their oevre. I enjoyed Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets (a live project playing only pre-Dark Side material) quite a lot. But. I'm yet to fully understand what Syd Barrett's genius is supposed to have been. Maybe you had to be there. This has some elements already present on the Floyd debut, but it doesn't really add much, and it sounds a bit like a directionless album from somebody who really wasn't into what he was recording any more and who probably simply should have been left alone. Which in fairness is exactly what happened after his second solo album plus an aborted third album attempt.

Shine on you crazy diamond

4/10 Album started off with a couple strong tracks but seriously fell off by the end - feeling more like a demo than anything that should have been released and celebrated years later. Worth listening to if you want to examine mental health in rock music, but it's not particularly good beyond that.

I was begging for mercy after listening to a couple of songs. It does have that 70's vibe, but only the cheesy one!

gold music history lesson

When someone takes TOO MUCH

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea for Boomers

Intéressant

this one was kinda neat we like this rock

Big Pink Floyd fan, but with most of the solo material of the members this is real below the bands standard. Be it David Gilmour, Roger Waters and in this case Syd Barrett. Records which could easily be forgotten. The Madcap Laughs doesn't reflect at any point the importance of Syd Barrett for the early Pink Floyd. A few songs are ok, but for the most part the songs are way too short and there is not really a connection between the songs. As mentioned earlier. The legacy of Syd Barrett was his membership in early Pink Floyd, not this end of life vehicle. 2/5

Blimmin mad, this fella. Blimey. Far more interesting than most of Floyd's wank. Admittedly, not particularly good. Outsider music by a former insider.

Like it's not bad but what is going on

loquis

Very deconstructed

25/05/2026 Sorry Syd, I didn't think you were that good. Spotify listeners: 104.4k

Oof. Just gonna be completely honest. This was pretty difficult to listen to.

Starts interestingly enough but by the end not at all worth it. Thank goodness for its relatively short 37 minute runtime. RYM: N Saved a song: N

I gotta be honest, this one almost put me to sleep, though I'm not certain that was the intention.

There is not much to this

The sound of mental illness and old friends tying their level best to stay in time and punctuate Syd's demo like acoustic recordings. Having Gilmour, Waters and Robert Wyatt couldn't hide the fact that Floyd's original management made a catastrophic error when they went with Barrett. Even Terrapin and Octopus can't deflect that thee was a reason the band didn't pick Syd up for that gig in early '68. A young person with no prior information would turn this off and think it was some amateur, but those of us in the know will continue to want this to work.........an important album to hear before your die, but mainly to warn you to stay off acid!

Honestly having a tough time deciding on a score for this one. I think it's probably a 3.5 for me, but which way to round? Obviously sounds closer to Pink Floyd's first album, kind of psychedelic folk more than prog rock. It worked for me better than "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" though. Not sure it's one that I needed to hear before dying, but I don't regret listening to it. I quite liked the droning, repetitive chords of Terrapin. The general vibes of the album are kind of depressing. I do think there's some good music in here, even though it's occasionally rough (Especislly Feel through Late Night). I do think it'll be one I revisit for the earlier songs if nothing else.

Too psychedelic

Couldn't get into this one. Shoulda stuck with Floyd, Syd.

There probably is merit in this being on the list. Does it showcase a loss to PF or enable them to become boring farts? Whatever; this album is shambolic, demonstrating that no one was in control. There is some inspired stuff but it is rare. Out of tune vocals, discordant instrumentation. It does make for easy listening.

Simple seeming songs with simple rhymes not the worst, reminiscent of early Pink Floyd

I very randomly listened to this organically 4 days ago when I saw a song added from it to a Thom Yorke created playlist. Unique sound, good not great 3.5 rounded down

The Beatles had many imitators, and this is one of them. The only real laugh (madcap or otherwise) is that there doesn't seem to be anything interesting or comprehensible here.

There are a few good songs tucked away on this album, but the final product is somewhat erratic. A quaint quirkiness struggles to be heard throughout, and there is a very British aesthetic to the record. With better discipline and execution, there is probably a very good album hidden away, but it seems that Syd Barrett lacked the capacity for either. The opening track, ‘Terrapin’, along with others such as ‘Long Gone’, gives a glimpse of what Pink Floyd might have been had Barrett remained in the band - particularly in terms of the vocal melodies, and lyrical content. It is a fascinating and sad album because of who recorded it and the circumstances behind the sessions. For these reasons, I find it a little difficult to rate. Without a doubt, Barrett was hugely influential, and in a strange way, one can appreciate how this album is too. Overall, "The Madcap Laughs" possesses a certain charm, and there is a great album in there somewhere, struggling to get out. It remains a musical curio, teetering on the point of collapse, especially as some of the material on side two seems incomplete in its final structure and delivery - 'If It's in You' being a prime example. Three stars. A final point: the album cover photograph by Mick Rock is fantastic. Side one 1 "Terrapin" (4/5) 2 "No Good Trying" (4/5) 3 "Love You" (4/5) 4 "No Man's Land" (3/5) 5 "Dark Globe" (4/5) 6 "Here I Go" (3/5) Side two 7 "Octopus" (4/5) 8 "Golden Hair" (3/5) 9 "Long Gone" (3/5) 10 "She Took a Long Cold Look" (3/5) 11 "Feel" (3/5) 12 "If It's in You" (2/5) 13 "Late Night" (3/5) Total - 43 Average - 3.31 328/1001 179/328 albums reviewed were new to me.

Brutal

Final Pink Floyd album ever forever, huh? This list has really been burning off their music lately. I listened to Piper at the Gates of Dawn 26 albums ago, Dark Side of the Moon 19 albums ago and now it's time for Barrett's solo album. I was initially skeptical of this album being in here because I thought Pink Floyd's debut album made it in on account of Syd Barrett's tale being one of the most storied in music history, but it turns out that the album also had a measurable impact on psychedelic music. I'd say I'm open to this album being on the list, though Piper at the Gates of Dawn was much too avant-garde for me and I'm not expecting an album where Barrett has complete creative control to be any better. Here's hoping I'm wrong. Hmm. This thankfully wasn't as abrasive as Piper at the Gates of Dawn, so major points there. I didn't mind this album. The twee subject matters, stripped-back sound and short runtime makes this album difficult to dislike, though the lo-fi sound also limits its appeal. Still, this was a respectable listen. Barrett is an adept, if muddled vocalist, the bluesy/acoustic guitars guide these songs along effectively and the lyrics are likeable, if a bit aimless and rambling. There isn't much else for me to remark about this album, however - it's very simplistic. Still, I had a decent time listening to this. Book time. Recorded in only a handful of days. Roger Waters and David Gilmour assisted with this album, which the book says was necessary help because of how scuffed the instrumentation was. The Eastern-influenced tracks and eccentric style "...inspired a host of rock mystics including Julian Cope." I'm favourable to Syd Barrett having a list album. Mostly because of how storied his history is, though partly because I pity him. I cosign this inclusion.

Terrapin - 4/5 No Good Trying - 3/5 Love You - 2/5 No Man's Land - 2/5 Dark Globe - 1/5 Here I Go - 3/5 Octopus - 5/5 Golden Hair - 2/5 Long Gone - 4/5 She Took a Long Cold Look - 2/5 Feel - 1/5 If It's in You - 1/5 Late Night - 2/5 Average score: 2.5/5 ⭐️⭐️ i was worried going into this based on how others have rated the album, and i can see what people are talking about now that i've listened. in my opinion, it's not the worst album i've ever heard but it's not very good either. it's a rough listen in just about every way. Octopus was a fun listen, and a few other tracks had some appeal, but that's about it i don't really know much about this guy beyond the fact that he was in Pink Floyd. what an interesting direction to go down musically. good on him for making music he wants to make i guess?

This is a great album. While listening I felt this beautiful, fragile atmosphere full of love, longing, and quiet hope. It has a very unique, almost intimate charm that’s hard to describe. The production is surprisingly good considering the circumstances, and the songs are full of character. Syd’s guitar playing is loose and expressive, the lyrics are poetic and personal, and his voice has that gentle, whimsical quality that makes everything feel slightly unhinged but deeply human. Syd Barrett was such a talented guitarist and artist, and you can really feel his personality all over this record. The fact that David Gilmour helped finish and produce parts of it really worked — they did a good job balancing the rawness with some structure. It’s a charming, eccentric, and heartfelt album. Not perfect, but that’s exactly why it works so well. A must-listen for anyone who wants to understand Syd’s genius.

I first thought: yet another psychedelic rock album. Effectively another Pink Floyd album. Yawn! However, this isn’t really psychedelic rock. It’s just odd. It’s got a bit of a Beatles mashed with Chas and Dave vibe to it. I didn’t enjoy listening to it.

a bit slow today too

The best I can say about this album is that at least it’s not Britpop. The song Feel reminds me of trying to learn the guitar, jumping from one discordant chord to another. Then came the song If it’s In You where he abandons any attempt to hit a note. My feeling is if the name Pink Floyd were not attached to this album it would not have seen the light of day.

Disclaimer: I'm not very familiar with Pink Floyd. Part of the reason I'm doing this project is to try and get over those big gaps in my musical knowledge. So I don't know if they were any better before or after Syd Barrett left the band. But piecing together the bits and pieces I do know from a brief look at Wikipedia together with the Television Personalities song 'I know where Syd Barrett lives' and you quickly realise his difficulties and years as a reclusive musical genius. Look at the list of great musicians who say he's influenced them. While the album may be a bit of an incoherent mess at times, it's whimsical and beautiful in parts too. It's definitely interesting and worth listening too. It may be exploitative too? It's hard to rank this but I'm going 4 stars. I've had so much filler but this was a different beast altogether.

Psychedelic folk, folk rock, experimental rock, psychedelic rock, avant-pop.

Not as bad as I feared however it's not something I'll ever listen to again.

hm

I never liked the title and the myth of Barret as a crazy musical genius. The album feels tentative, uneven and in parts unfinished (it's recording history is complicated). But is never boring. Favourite song: "Octopus" (i like the french record sleeve) I like the idea of using a poem by James Joyce in "Golden Hair". 2.75 / 5

Kinda reminds me of the Beetles. Decent

This album depresses me, but not in a particularly interesting way. It's just a bit dull and dreary -- a truly British experience.

Meh

I give it a 4.6/10 Not quite for me but not the worst I've heard.

Deserves to be on the list, glad to listen to it again, still don't find it all that enjoyable to listen to.

I don’t know Syd Barrett, and I don’t really care to get to know much of his work after this. It just felt messy and not sure of itself. I also felt many of the songs could have been left out, especially at the end. Not every album needs to be an hour for the sake of it.

Just don't think this is actually any good. Half formed ideas that don't sit right together, an album that just peters out to the end and it's barely 35 minutes long at that. Trading on past glories.

Очень спокойный, тихий и мелодинчый альбом. Это такой психодел-фолк, но фолк гораздо больше чем психодел. Акустическая гитара и спокойный тихий вокал создают довольно теплую, личную и дружелюбную атмосферу. Вневременная музыка, которая не звучит привязанной к 60м или 70м, создает ощущение таинственного и личного.

Boring..

Bored 🥱

2.5/5 Listened to this twice in a row because I really really really wanted to love this, cause I love the shit out of Piper - my favourite Floyd album infact. But this just doesn't do it for me. I'm not invested in this, at all. The words just come and go, the songwriting ain't even a fraction as interesting and whimsical as that on piper. Doesn't interest me one bit. I even stopped everything and focused on this lyrics - tried to analyse them, looked up discussions about their meaning incase I'm missing something but no. I just don't like it. Which is a shame because I was so ready to be a Syd fanboy. Musically, it's barebones. Production, and everything else even are very minimal. Just a man and his guitar. Barely Psychedelic. And the songwriting is lackluster. Really wanted to like this but alas, it is what it is.

Kanskje det svakeste albumet hittil.

Interesting album, seems Beatles inspired. 5.9/10

ugh, so annoying. it's like listening to a hippie egomaniac in his band room and there's no way to escape

Fav song: If It’s in You

Boring. Unmelodic

This album has always been one of my favorites. So unique and interesting. Also very entertaining.

Enh....

Actually enjoyed a few songs but overall I'm not sure why this album is on the list.

A deep journey to the mind.

Strange to me, can find any melodic hook that could catch me in this album

What?! The 60s (and 70s) were a weird time.

I’ve heard this before. I’m a bigger fan of Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd than the later era after he left, and most of the songs on this album make me wonder what they would have turned out to be had he kept his shit together. There are a few songs here that seem a little incomplete and would have helped to have a backing band, and then “If It’s In You” has a false start/studio flub that really distracts from how good of a song it is. There’s some really good psychedelia here at its peak and altogether I dig it.

Boooo 2/5

Classic album

Notable Textzeile: This is a story about a girl that I knew She didn't like my songs and that made me feel blue She said, "A big band is far better than you" Es gibt einige unfreiwillig (oder irgendwie absichtlich sarkastisch, aber nicht mit genug Distanz vorgetragen um irgendwie auch nur ein wenig souverän zu sein) Textzeilen, die ich kurz in ihrer Tragik interessant fand. Aber insgesamt ist das eher nervig als besonders. Wenn dann was zur Gitarre dazukommt unterstützt es nicht sondern orgelt irgendwie so dazwischen. Darüber hinaus sind es nichts mehr als Skizzen, halb-motiviert vorgetragen und mit wenig Spannung.

Ich wäre gerne so reich dass ich die master tapes hiervon kaufen könnte, um zu verhindern dass sich jemand das jemals wieder anhören muss. Was soll das? Das ist schlecht produzierter Müll von nem Typen der zu viel LSD für Pink Floyd (!) genommen hat. Schlimm.

Puh ist das dark. Musikalisch dann aber leider doch eher meh. Beim hören gegoogled und die ganze Lore rund ums Album gelesen. Macht alles nicht besser. Gehört bestimmt auf diese Liste und ist ein aussergewöhnliches Album, das mich aber nicht über eine weirde Faszination hinaus berührt.

Actually pretty great. I loved the mixing, the guitars sounded excellent. There's some good shit on here.

This whole album made me feel sad.

Honestly I’m getting so jaded by the amount of 70s/80s normcore on this list that the mental breakdown exploitation record sounded quite refreshing

I knew a little of his story co-founding Pink Floyd, but had not listened to any of this solo post-Floyd work before. I enjoyed the album a lot, very catchy and fun to listen to.

I don’t like his style anyway, Piper At The Gates of Dawn got ⭐️ and this is terrible and made me feel uncomfortable. I imagine a mentally well Syd would be mortified at this being out there but I guess how can I know that? Anyway, this doesn’t need to exist let alone be one to hear before I die

Great

I enjoyed listening to it, even though it went a bit off the rails towards the end, and the ensuing wiki/reddit rabbit hole I went down about Syd Barrett was pretty chill.

Mostly acoustic, folk leaning psych-rock

This was a bit of a tough listen

Not for me.

bar none the best collection of children's songs there is 5/5

What a freaking mess. But that’s even in the lyrics: This is a story 'bout a girl that I knew She didn't like my songs And that made me feel blue She said: "A big band is far better than you" You know, she was goddamn right.

I love all of Pink Floyd. And Syd Barrett’s story is tragic. And this album is incredibly sad to listen to.

Meh? I think this might be my least favorite debut album I’ve listened to on this website. It just felt disjointed, boring, and odd to me. Overall, this album was a slog to listen to and I don’t see myself returning to this anytime soon.

Amo a Syd Barrett

Mediocre

While I am familiar with Pink Floyd. This solo work doesn’t really appeal to me as much as pink Floyd albums would. 5/10

Uhhh, really slow, weird, an I'm sorry to say but just bad album.

This put me in a bad mood

<3

Getting pretty tired of this ‘70s hippie crap.

(66/100)

I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn't get myself to. I love the psychedelic rock sound, but I don't like his voice. His vocal performance really brings most of the songs down. It ends up creating a product, where most of the songs are just ok, and others are straight up bad.

vibes beattles but more "under" i think

Octopus Golden Hair Feel

medio pesadito el álbum, muchos temas y largos, uffff

Terrapin - 3 No good trying - 3 Love you - 3 No man's land - 2 Dark globe - 3 Here i go - 3 Octopus - 3 Golden hair - 2 Long gone - 3 She took a long cold look - 3 Feel - 3 If it's in you - 2 Late night - 2

Was one of the first albums I was going to rate early at a 2 but then the last 3 tracks of godawful demo tracks that sound like Spinal Tap outtakes put the nail in the coffin.

Most either love this or hate it. I am closer to the love it side of the range. The more you listen the better it gets. Even the quirky out-of-tune singing is a joy! 4/5

nice, ambiental, it really feels eccentric

Sad boy in a weird way

I think I liked this

I really love a couple of these songs and could live without the rest.

More like the madcap cries, because it’s what I wanted to do after hearing two tracks of this terrible album.

He had mental health issues. This is not his fault.

Too bad he went off the rails so badly that they had to throw him out of Pink Floyd. Really interesting album.

Nice.

No Pink, no Floyd, no good.

Not great and just here due to the story of the artist. Floyd became a lot more after Syd left and the way he struggled was sad. Unique musician and he isn't awful but this is mostly a magazine article.