Piper at the Gates of Dawn - Pink Floyd Album Reviews

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Pink Floyd's first album from 1967, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, featuring their original guitar player / singer / songwriter Syd Barrett. The album kicks off with Astronomy Domine, features Lucifer Sam, Interstellar Overdrive and ends with Bike. How does it hold up after all these years?
#pinkfloyd #Albumreviews #SydBarrett #Piperatthegatesofdawn #AstronomyDomine
Pink Floyd is without a doubt one of the greatest classic rock bands of all time. They began in the 60s with Roger Waters on bass, Nick Mason on drums, Richard Wright on organ and Syd Barrett on lead guitar and vocals. Syd was the band's leader and chief songwriter in the early days, penning their first singles Arnold Layne and See Emily Play. Piper at the Gates of Dawn was released on August 5th 1967, the 60s summer of love! Released by EMI, the album was produced by The Beatles' engineer Norman Smith, recorded at the same time The Beatles were working on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The record kicks off with the space-rock gem Astronomy Dominé, featuring both Syd and Rick on vocals. Lucifer Sam, written about Syd's cat, is very much in that proto-punk style and features a bowed bass solo by Roger. Rick sings co-lead on Matilda Mother and plays a solo on his farfisa organ. Flaming carries on with a child-like melody while Pow R. Toc H. is a sample of their avant garde live sound from UFO Club and the like (note Roger's dolphin screams). Side one ends with Roger's song Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk. For Side two, we open with another sample of their live improvisational style, Interstellar Overdrive. But this is soon followed by more whimsical material like The Gnome, Chapter 24 (taken from the I Ching) Scarecrow, and finally ending with Bike, featuring some soundscapes to end the LP. The album fared well enough upon released, but many fans felt it was not an accurate reflection of seeing the band live in concert. Due to Syd's intake of LSD mixed with a breakdown involving schizophrenia, he would gradually be pushed out of the band he fronted, being replaced with David Gilmour on guitar. This would become Pink Floyd's classic lineup with Roger taking more of a songwriter role, including the song Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun which would appear on their 1968 album A Saucerful of Secrets. The album was the only to feature all five band members and Syd's final composition with Floyd, Jugband Blues. Syd would released a couple albums as a solo artist, including Madcap Laughs and Barrett. Ultimately he would drop out of the music business completely by 1974. Meanwhile Pink Floyd struggled to find their new sound on albums like More, Ummagumma and Atom Heart Mother. But by 1971, they began to find their feet on Meddle, particularly with the opening instrumental One of These Days and the epic piece Echoes, taking up the entire B-side. With Roger now taking over the lyrics department and coming up with conceptual ideas, they would find more creative outlets through Live at Pompeii and Obscured by Clouds. However 1973's Dark Side of the Moon would become one of the most successful albums of all time, staying on the charts for nearly 13 years and still a best seller today. Roger's lyrics dealt with the evils of society driving one to madness, while the music was nearly one entire inter-connected piece. Money was a hit single. Their 1975 followup Wish You Were Here, featuring the opening and closing piece Shine On You Crazy Diamond (a tribute to Syd Barrett who even showed up at the sessions), is thought to be equally great, if not greater, as Dark Side. But with Roger assuming more creative control, tensions between the band were getting worse by the album Animals and even more so on The Wall, a triumph in concept, but the album that essentially ended the classic Pink Floyd lineup. Rick was fired from the band creating a greater rift between Roger and Dave. Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 became their best selling single and Comfortably Numb remains one of their most popular tunes.1983's The Final Cut was Roger's final album with Pink Floyd before he officially left, leaving Dave and Nick to reunite with Rick for 1987's Momentary Lapse of Reason. Roger sued to break up the band, but failed to do so instead focusing on his solo career. The Gilmour led Floyd would produce 1994's The Division Bell (High Hopes) with Rick now sharing vocal and songwriting duties again. It wasn't until 2005's Live 8 concert when Dave, Nick and Rick reunited with Roger for a short set giving closure for many fans. Syd never performed with Pink Floyd again and died in 2006. Rick died in 2008. The album The Endless River was dedicated in his honor. Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets performs a lot of Syd's material keeping his legacy alive.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

Both Sgt. Pepper and Piper still hold up as best Sixties Psychedelic albums. Both The Beatles and Pink Floyd are my idols.

[@frommetoyou1981]

Mine too. 1. The Beatles 2. Pink Floyd.

[@julesotis13]

I would make a case for the Stones her majesties being a pretty terrific pyschadelic album and unfairly maligned...just tossing that in the ring lol..I know that's a minority opinion but I'm used to that

[@descendingforth]

@@julesotis13 I completely agree. I feel like that record often gets overshadowed by the other great records of the psychedelic era such as the aforementioned Sgt Pepper's, Pet Sounds and Piper. I think the Stones played as much of an important role on that sound as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys.

[@julesotis13]

I just tsle it as the haters are missing out on a gem. Some of the lyrics are amazing and the wall of sound with the steady stones joie de vivre makes it stand out in many ways from other trippy albums...

[@godetonter4764]

The Seeds - Future was also good, if you can get past Sky Saxon's nasal Vocals

[@descendingforth]

It may not be the best Floyd record but it sure is a psychedelic rock masterpiece.

[@zzebowa]

It is the best, by some margin. If it wasnt for this album, Pink Floyd wouldnt exist.

[@descendingforth]

@@zzebowa It sure is their most important record but definitely not their best. It created their unique sound that without, they wouldn't of been able to create Meddle, Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. So a very important record but not their best or most acclaimed.

[@descendingforth]

@@zzebowa Just because it's you're favourite Floyd record doesn't mean it's considered "their best".

[@zzebowa]

@@descendingforth Who the hell said my opinion is a democracy? It is their best album, that is my opinion. I dont care what others think.

[@wr7662]

I hate it. Call the cops.

[@johnspokus]

For me..........this is one of the greatest, most groundbreaking albums of all time. Nothing else quite sounds like it..........5/5.

[@archiet2205]

One of my favourite records of all time and my favourite floyd record. I’ve heard syd Barrets stuff get quite a bit of slate by some people, often Americans who say they don’t like it or it’s messy or whatever. Ultimately I think it’s fair enough, mainly because I wouldn’t expect them to understand most of barrets catalogue. As someone that is from the uk, I find barrets stuff relatable in a strange way. The whimsical and psychedelic nature of his lyrics that are written in a very English style and feel are idyllic and I’d struggle to see how Americans in particular could relate. Barret wrote what was important to him and people often forget that. I’m not slating Americans here at all and I understand that many love his work but I think his work immediately becomes more personal and relatable when you’ve grown up with many of the material he writes about. Shine on you crazy diamond

[@alexvernon7456]

I totally agree, I’m from the uk too. Scarecrow literally takes me back to my childhood, having long walks in rural england. Later Floyd is so easily relatable (money, time, etc), that’s partially why it’s so universally accessible, whereas Syds Floyd isn’t like that

[@archiet2205]

@@alexvernon7456 ye exactly. Barret always managed to encapsulate the whimsy and magic of childhood in such a clever way. Many songs like ‘scarecrow’ as u mentioned and ‘apples and oranges’ were influenced by his childhood spent in the sunny Fens of Cambridgeshire and it makes for an uncanny, English and childlike experience

[@buecar]

Opposite for me as an American, one of the reasons they are my #1 band. There are songs for all emotions across their whole catalogue, I feel if I had to pick 1 band to listen to for the rest of my life and nothing else, its them. The studio vibes and live vibes too, so many levels! Stay safe over there Archie!

[@stephendavis5530]

@@alexvernon7456 I love The Scarecrow. By the way, does anyone know what that weird instrument is that loops with the fingerpicking guitar and the acoustic guitar outro? It has a real weird vibe! 🤔

[@mcadminbro2139]

Honestly listen to flaming over and over again and the album will make sense at some point. The whimsicality mixed with how gorgeous the instrumentation is really sells this album for me. Flaming is the perfect song.

[@hatujemeletsplayeryheskyce6460]

The noise at the end of bike represents the room of musical tunes.

[@rhwinner]

If Piper had been recorded with modern production and sound, there would be no question as to it's greatness. As it is, it has the best lyrics of any Floyd album, and the journey it takes the listener on, from the opening space rock jam to a roomful of clanging clocks, is still a helluva trip.

[@Dhips.]

They really were ahead of there time, limited by technology. It's interesting they never used more synths in the 80s when that hot more popular.

[@porkchopen]

I think Piper at the Gates of Dawn is a very good album and is Pink Floyd's best album up until Atom Heart Mother or Meddle

[@reidye]

Definitely agree. Saucer is okay but the rest are skipable. Except the Live side of UmmaGumma

[@godetonter4764]

Saucerful of Secrets is darker, and just plain werder . 1 of the strangest albums ever recorded. I try to get into Piper At the Gates of Dawn , but every time I put it on people ask me which Beatles album I am listening to

[@hatujemeletsplayeryheskyce6460]

I like saurceful of secrets more

[@porkchopen]

@@reidye yeah Ummagumma’s live album is very good especially Careful With That Axe, Eugene

[@supermariofan772003]

@@reidye I'd say both More and Ummagumma have their highlights. Live disc aside, I love Davil Gilmour's song The Narrow Way. And Grantchester Meadows is a nice peaceful song to chill out to. On the More album, there's arguably Pink Floyd's most heavy metal sounding tune, The Nile Song. An incredibly in your face rocker that I absolutely love. There's the beautifully written Green is the Colour. And Cymbaline is a fantastic dream-like song with some of Floyd's first jabs at the music industry. Not perfect albums, but they definitely have some classics.

[@Tom-bs3zh]

This is my favorite Pink Floyd album outside of Darkside. Syd's style of playing is very unconventional, which is actually what I enjoy about him. Kind of like if you mix Peter Gabriel's whimsical persona with Neil Young's choppy, chaotic guitar style.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Tom! I haven't seen you since the MySpace days!

[@carl_anderson9315]

Yeeeesss!!!! I remember discussing the other day about the best 60s bands. We were talking about The Beatles, Mamas & Papas, The Doors, Hendrix Experience, Kinks, etc. When I mentioned Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin they jumped and said “those are 70s bands!”. Excuse me? Piper At The Gates of Dawn (1967), More and Ummagumma (1969), Led Zeppelin I and II (both 1969). Hello?

[@janvermanen]

Don't forget Floyds best album, a saucerful of secrets 1968

[@KittyToothSalad]

Not everything on Piper works by conventional or modern standards, but it still holds up due to it's sheer inventiveness and uniqueness. It doesn't sound like any other album in existence. And, love Syd Barrett or hate him, there would have never been a Pink Floyd without him, and the world of experimental and psychedelic music would have had a long way to go without his contribution. So for that he deserves our gratitude.

[@louisskulnik7390]

You might not be the biggest Syd fan, but he truly got a LOT of artists started in their sounds.

[@rasj1020]

piper is a masterpiece/the greatest pf lp to this day. piper/sgt. pepper and are you experienced the 3 greatest psychedelic rock lp's of '67 and still untouched by anyone in 2022.

[@rasj1020]

@Christoffer Sjöheim yea good choice mmt

[@francohuaro5331]

@Christoffer Sjöheim W

[@chuckdeiss8792]

This might be my favorite Pink Floyd album. Astronomy Domine - a classic! Lucifer Sam - I love the groove of it so much! Matilda Mother - starts like a fairy tale but gets deeper. Flaming - No fair, you can't hear me. Almost a nursery rhyme. Pow R. Toc H. - another great groove. Take up Thy Stethoscope and Walk - Okay, this one I could skip. Interstellar Overdrive - Another all time classic, love it, so funky. The Gnome - another fairytale. Chapter 24 - I love the tones on this one. The Scarecrow - Another song invoking a nursery rhyme. Bike!!! - Probably my favorite Pink Floyd song, I just love it!! I know a mouse and he hasn't got a house.

[@theselector4733]

And his name is Gerald 😆. GENIUS!!!!!

[@longtallshorty5791]

@@theselector4733, how is that genius? In ANY way whatsoever? Syd Barrett was an absolute joke.

[@Biscuit553598]

I don’t care what anyone says Pipers In a FANTASTIC album. It’s one of my favorite Floyd albums.

[@Chico50445]

I actually like Take Up Thy Stethoscope a lot, Rick especially kills it on the organ on that song. In fact I think that captures the live improvisational sound of Syd's era Pink Floyd.

[@alebor73]

It's the only truly Pink Floyd's album, man!

[@ChromeDestiny]

I recommend the mono mix of this album, I always liked it fine anyway but I started liking it far more once I heard the mono mix.

[@Ballardian]

The thing that strikes me about this album is how fun it is to listen to. Imaginative, playful, experimental and accessible and enjoyable all at the same time. I woul put it in the top 5 best Floyd album.

[@schuszter4280]

I’d give it a goldfish rating Standout tracks: Astronomy Domine, Lucifer Sam, Matilda Mother, Interstellar Overdrive, Scarecrow, Bike

[@zzebowa]

They are all brilliant.

[@maddoxandhisband9146]

flaming and pow r toc h are great

[@ThatIsDopeBro]

@@maddoxandhisband9146 I fucking love flaming

[@EHoser1]

I and my friends were blown away by Piper when it came out in 1967, and that was the crappy US release. Then we discovered the British one with Astronomy Dominé and Bike. Nothing else like it at the time. You can't really compare it with anything that came later, by PF or anyone else.

[@redpig6878]

I pretty much 100% know you will not agree with me, but Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk is my favorite song on this album! Idk what it is about this song but I’ve always loved it, it has such cool keyboard tones and textures and amazing drumming and I just love the soloing on that song

[@joshgofton]

I was given a bunch of records by my neighbors and this was one of them blew me away, I'm one of the select few who loves early Floyd

[@zzebowa]

You were very lucky to be given a Piper album, they are rare and not cheap.

[@reidye]

Well worth the eager wait!

[@bronte3663]

Thanks for that, you made it all so interesting.

[@lamecasuelas2]

For me this is the best Debut album or all time

[@yinyangedits5846]

it makes me happy that Sgt. Pepper's and Piper at the Gates of Dawn had a bit to do with each other, like the lense for the cover and the two bands visiting each other in the studio :) idk it's just sweet

[@husq48]

Things did not get worse with Saucer, great album!

[@kevingrems]

I'm going back through the discography for a second listen. Definitely appreciate this one more the second time through. Side A is great!

[@danielfantin3118]

omg omg omg i want this i need this thanks JT.

[@SalAveNU]

I'm a Syd Barrett fan, his songs have the eeriness to them. As if in the background you can hear the healthy part of Syd's brain screaming for help.

[@seanmortimer5569]

Surely the inspiration for hundreds of Krautrock bands like Can.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Indeed inspirational... and don't call me Shirley!

[@JPproductions303]

Damn 3 videos in one week Jt really stepped it up this week

[@advancecharmander]

There is a 40th anniversary set with some extra tracks, the main ones of interest are an alternate vocal take of Matilda Mother and take 6 of Interstellar Overdrive, only running half the length of the album version, and (IMO) a bit more engaging than the original. There's not a lot of extras for this album outside of the singles so having the two alternate takes is really neat

[@ChrisSmith-xh9wb]

Maybe its just down to personal taste, but I disagree with yu0r dismissal of "Scarecrow and "Bike", which are my two favourite tracks from the album.. "Scarecrow" like "Grantrchester Meadows" from Ummagumma, is an underrated gem. Both songs are evocative of rural England in a way that perhaps you need to be English to appreciate. "Bike", as well as giving us a glimpse into Syd's childlike mind through a psychedelic lens, anticipates in its final section a direction that would be further developed on "Dark side of the Moon".

[@theselector4733]

Their BEST ALBUM by far!!!!!

[@brucestratford5838]

I love Syd Barrett 💗

[@classicalbum]

What a great review

[@chesterparish3794]

personally, this is my 4th favorite Pink Floyd album. I love the weirdness and chaos of Barrett and I personally really like Bike a lot.

[@leejohnson3209]

It could have only been released in 67. 66 was too soon, 68 was too late. It has some really high points, Astronomy Dominie, Interstellar Overdrive. I think the songs derived from their live set at the time worked. The pop singles don't really hit the mark with a few exceptions. It gets a 7/10 for me.

[@timothywhittles2829]

For me this album is just like a concept album like a nostalgia from childhood. Astronomy Domine is the grown up and the rest of the album is thinking back to when you were younger.

[@lilsigmamusic]

Can’t wait for the saucerful of secrets review!

[@snarfusmaximus]

That brief snippet of you playing guitar reinforced my need to get a Telecaster.

[@chrissutton2586]

Shout out to the shirt. Great analysis too btw bro

[@robertsteinberger5667]

It would have been a better album with arnold layne and see emily play. I like their second album more.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Definitely agree with you there.

[@daemonspudguy]

The original American version of Piper as released by Capitol Records had See Emily Play instead of Astronomy Domine.

[@mcadminbro2139]

How did you possibly like saucerful more? Great album, but the highlight on that album is either set the control or jug band blues. Piper hits you with plenty of classic tunes, saucerful loses the whimsicality

[@frankfrank7921]

Great album! This is the only Pink Floyd I listen to. Don't care for the rest of their output. For those offended by this, you really shouldn't be. My opinion does not prevent you from enjoying your Floyd collection.

[@Sandwich13455]

I , for one, appreciate your frankness!

[@jjackomin]

Oh, that was supposed to be funny. Keep your day job.

[@frankfrank7921]

@@jjackomin No, it wasn't intended to be funny. Simply intended to stave off Floyd fanboys who can't accept someone not liking most of their output.. Obviously your day job does not involve reading comprehension.

[@benmeltzer]

IMO the album would have turned out better had Joe Boyd produced it. Also Syd's first solo album (and especially his Radio One sessions album) are outstanding,

[@kidcharlemagne3044]

“Unfortunately, things are gonna get worse before they get better” Oh dear God they most certainly are…

[@user-jz8lp6cj2z]

I love all Floyd eras, but the early stuff (Arnold Layne, up thru Meddle) just slays me. So much searching, experimenting, finding what worked what didn’t musically. It made for such exciting creative music.

[@arshiahomayoonmehr2420]

Ah The Syd Barrett Era with The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn a very short era but Unique and Great Era. I gotta say this may not be the best Pink Floyd Album period but it is Certainly one of the best floyd albums and its a Very Unique Album. Not a Concept Album but I cant help I listen to Piper All the way in my car and I enjoy every second of it. For me The Essential Track is of course "Astronomy Domine" But theres a lot of standouts I would say you gotta Listen to "Lucifer Sam" and "Matilda Mother" , "Flaming" , "Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk"(Jamming is top notch) ,"Interestellar Overdrive" , "Chapter 24" and also "Bike" and This may be Just me but those three short tunes you said (The Gnome and Chapter 24 and Scarecrow) are at the very Least Interesting and chapter 24 is a great song I even Like "Pow R Toc H" that screaming and even that Great piano Rick is Playing. For me Its a "GoldFish" Album You Gotta Have it On Vinyl but then again Its your Review so you know Cheers 🍻🍾

[@flaviopitanga65]

It took me forever to really enjoy this album.

[@sandymandy8599]

Syd was a genius

[@abbalite]

Great video but… (torch in hand)… I don’t think you “get” Syd. Looking forward to more!

[@JTCurtisMusic]

LOL thank you. I feel like I have been able to find more appreciation in his style from making this series, but it's still not something I'd go out of my way to put on.

[@s7evens4]

Nice!

[@amtlpaul]

Barrett was very influenced by Bo Diddley and Duane Eddy- he put a psychedelic twist on it.

[@whitleybayman123]

saw both of those legends live here in the UK

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

He didn't just put a psychedelic twist on bo diddley😂 there is tons of baroque, folk and english music hall music on this album, avant garde concrete, a bit of jazz and of course all bis lyricsl influences

[@Protostarofficial]

Change my mind: Piper at the gates of dawn is the best floyd album

[@user-pt4oj6sd6j]

Great album.

[@kingofthesnakes2396]

Piper is a very english album. A lot of the short pop (if you can call them that) songs are relatable to people who've lived in england for a long time but they don't really translate well to other countries. Thats maybe why you struggle with it. When i was younger i didnt like this album but revisiting it many years later if found it to be one i keep replaying

[@JTCurtisMusic]

The Beatles had many short pop songs that translated quite well to other countries, as did The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, even some of The Who's early work are short pop songs. In fact throughout most of the early 60s, America's charts were dominated by short pop songs from American artists as well (The Four Seasons, The Byrds, etc.) Also "Interstellar Overdrive" is nearly 10 minutes long. I'd hardly call that a short pop song, nor "Astronomy Domine" or "Pow R. Toc H." Of course if you dig the album, nothing wrong with that.

[@theselector4733]

@@JTCurtisMusic He's talking about the fact you didn't like Side B - where most of the short whimsical tracks are found. PATGOD is a very "English" album, many of it's references and ideas are taken from english literature. Someone once said if you read JR Tolkien, Alice in Wonderland and Wind in the Willows, you'll understand Piper. As a matter of fact the title of the album was taken from a chapter in Wind in the Willows. Also, Syd sang in an english accent, very english. Not many of the other bands you mentioned did that consistently. I've noticed over the years that bands that do this, although very successful in The UK, usually have little to no comparable success in America eg: The Jam, Madness, The Smiths, Oasis, The Specials, Sex Pistols etc.....

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

​@@JTCurtisMusicthe kinks translated well in 1964 but village green in 68 flopped in the usa.

[@user-fz4lx5le7f]

I agree on the spotted fish because to me in many ways it is a weird album but again it was back in 67 when they recorded the album and that’s when Syd’s breakdown happened and David Gilmour ended up replacing him at that time! I think their is about 5 good songs on there but tho I prefer the first 2 singles they put out before Piper. My Essential Track to me is either BIKE or Flaming

[@joshuakimmich5294]

Finally 😍

[@nigelbagguley7606]

Thanks for the sound out for Norman Smith one of the sixties greatest underappreciated treasures.

[@babylemonade2868]

I’ve just started watching some of reviews and I didn’t know you play guitar as well. Cool channel and the best version of interstellar overdrive is the piper version. I.know every blip and noise on it. I love side 2

[@pinko2553]

The best album ever.....

[@Peaceandlove-gg]

It's kinda funny, I was planning listen to Pink Floyd whole album But I ending up listening to syd's albums XD I really likes his music and pink floyd too

[@MinorCirrus]

You mention the stereo mix early in the review so I wonder, did you only listen to that mix? The Mono mix is leagues above the stereo one.

[@Z_E_B_O]

I can only recommend getting the Mono version on vinyl, after listening to it at a friend, it's even better than the CD-Mono version. I can recommend the 1997 repress, which uses the Mono version and is just awesome to listen to. It's a shame they made the organ unlistenable on the stereo version.

[@johncollier9280]

My introduction to Pink Floyd was A Saucerful O' Secrets which totally blew my mind! I then backtracked to Piper. Both I consider mandatory listenin'. Sorry you didn't get it...

[@tylerhackner9731]

Great album

[@babylemonade2868]

I remember reading an article where McCartney said the technology to record the bass properly wasn’t there for Sgt Pepper. Ironically piper sounds 10 times better with Norman Smith who ironically was a former Beatles recording engineer. Love Sgt Pepper but piper is way better

[@michaelmohrle1773]

The CD sure sounds good.

[@soaruk3697]

The first record I ever bought and Floyds best...............

[@michaelmohrle1773]

Where did you get the shirt ? cool

[@thebrownmountainlights7718]

Hey man my two man band is called Dead Radio and the album is called Stuck in the grey. It's on Apple iTunes and spotify. I'm not asking for a video of you talking about it. Although that would be ridiculously cool but maybe just a review from you to me! Either way. Again, thanks for your channel because your take on music is great. keep up the fantastic work!

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

This was their first album. It's of its time but still wonderfully inventive and quirky. Just fantastic.

[@ottocastillo8891]

This is a minimalist album, and heavely of the time. Not my favorite Floyd album but it beats anything they put out before atom heart mother.

[@williamlangan5902]

I like The Gnome. Chapter 24 is just there. Scarecrow is barely there. Take Up Thy Stethoscope sounds like a soundtrack song from a 1950's B movie. Too bad as one commentator once said "Syd became a liability within himself and they canned him!" My father heard that and asked me "Son, do you want to grow up and become a liability within yourself?" Of course, I didn't. RIP, Syd.

[@williamlangan5902]

Actually, my Dad didn't really give me the "You wanna become like Syd?" bit. But he did hear about his downfall, though he had no idea who Syd Barrett was!

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

How can you not like Take up Thy Stethoscope and Walk?

[@rikriley5992]

Chapter 24 was a really good track....

[@amtlpaul]

Piper is one of my favorite Floyd albums, albiet for different reasons than, say, Dark Side of the Moon. Although they both have Rick Wright in common... They both have Nick Mason and Roger Waters as well but, aside from his bass playing, Roger's particular talents aren't much in evidence in here. Take Up Thy Stethoscope is actually a great band performance but Roger's lyric writing skills had a way to go...

[@gordonclarkson2672]

Thought-provoking review, even though I didn't agree with all of it. The heavy, lengthy musical explorations were the aspect of one side of the psychedelic phenomena that particularly appealed to American listeners.. However, on the other side of the coin, the whimsical lyrics inspired by writers like Lewis Carrol, Tolkien, etc., were more of a British thing and were a significant feature of f psychedelia on this side of the Pond.

[@TuckerPiper]

I am iffy about Pink Floyd as a whole

[@husq48]

Certainly blows away Umaguma and Atom Heart Mother!

[@atlasking6110]

Everybody knocks "Stethoscope" but if you listen to just the MUSIC it's an awesome slice of psyche-garage-rock.

[@mcadminbro2139]

Only song written by roger on the album. Sounds different from the rest cause it’s not written by the same person

[@willstarbailey]

Music seems to help th paiinnn

[@baron0877]

Never take the word of a man who wears a yin yang necklace

[@opinion3742]

Over the years I have found myself listening to Piper far more often than St. Pepper's.

[@petermccormack3786]

The variety of styles and influences emerging in pop music by '67 varied in terms of impact and quality. 1967 would seem to be the uncontrolled intersection that set off a 20th century pop culture collision. To compare the pink floyd of this time to a beatles, or cream etc. is a matter of', apples and oranges, (a non lp Floyd single from '67, a real gem )

[@shewolfcub3]

This album is one of their g reatest

[@Noah-dq9bd]

2:35 what song is that from?

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Astronomy Domine

[@Noah-dq9bd]

@@JTCurtisMusic thanks man! gonna try and learn that now

[@thetruthfornow6045]

Arnold Layne and See Emily Play still hold up well. Adding both songs and pulling off two turkeys would have made the album.better.

[@nigelbagguley7606]

Even though Norm Smith wasn't primarily known as a psychedelic engineer/producer probably only the collaboration between Paul Rothschild and Bruce Botnick captured more of that unique music swirling through late sixties San Francisco and London.

[@miccarbo7911]

I like every song on the album, but I have to be in the proper mood to listen to 'Interstellar overdrive'.

[@julesotis13]

i agre...tho i have no issues with drugs, the good ones nayway not saying yall do, although Syd has always been a prime example, legendarily, for people of my age, of the allure and dnagers of drugs.....that aside, i agree as i got into Pink Floyd eons ago, having been of the ilk to not be in them for a hwile cuz i heard things like Mone yand other hype too much until, as can happen wiht LEd Zeppelin, didnt get exposed, growing up in the 80s and 90s in urban public schools in Baltimore, to the true welath of their material talent and catalogs at first, when i heard songs like Free Four and many others i coudl ist i became a lifelong HUGE fna...all that to say i agree with you brother JT that going back to the Syd era songs, no disrespect meant and all deference to both the horrible realities of fame and its toll on Syd as well as drugs effect....and accpeting we will never know where Syd's Floyd may have gone, I share your views that while some of the Syd era tunes were great, and it all, including Syds solo stuff, certianly must be called unique if not honest and true, but not all great.....this coming from someone who clearly relates to weirdness stream of concousness and being artsy without considering commericiasm critics etc....blaa blaa blaa to wrpa it up i respect Syd helped start the band and i dig some of the songs, I agree the band didnt hit full ablum greatness till later....and yes i always foudn this opinion to be considered sacriliege to some not that i would care....as i think its an informed opinon....anyhooo thanks for the thought videos sharing and to anyone who read this ocmment lol -SJOCR

[@mcadminbro2139]

Scarecrow sounds unfinished? Too many short whimsical tunes? Idk man.

[@thebrownmountainlights7718]

Badass take man. I love that I found your page. Dude I have an album out and i would love for you to let me know what you think. Obviously not on a video even though that would be amazing but I would just like to hear your take. I tend to agree with you on almost everything. And I love your music on spotify. You are definitely a dude I could get along with lol if you're interested in hearing the record I'll send you the Info

[@number9271]

So you're saying you don't care for the song The Gnome their best song ever

[@Dhips.]

I think Bike is a good song.

[@RossBayCult]

I’m all about the Barrett era Floyd and his solo work. The rest got somewhat subdued and controlled by the record label IMO.

[@rjlchristie]

(Facepalm). I wouldn't write off Chapter 24 as a whimsical ditty. And Bike's unique structure along with its deliberate affront to phrasing expectations is what makes it intrinsically powerful from a purely musical standpoint.

[@chrismorgan7494]

Love your butterscotch blonde Tele.

[@nigelbagguley7606]

In truth,Syd Barrett was less a songwriter ( even in the psychedelic sence) and more an English Nonsense poet in the tradition of Edmund Lear with poems and ditties set to heavy psychedelic rock music