Pink Floyd. You may have heard of them before, considering they are only one of the most popular and influential bands to ever walk earth, or walk on the “Dark Side of the Moon.” Lol, although their eighth studio album (Dark Side of the Moon) may be the most critically acclaimed, I am convinced it is not their greatest work. And I’m sure there are many people out there who are “Barrett-era Floyd junkies,” like myself, but if you aren’t, I recommend giving their first album a listen.
Their debut album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” was overshadowed by countless classics released the same year such as, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by the ever popular Beatles, Jimi Hendrix’s, “Are You Experienced,” and Jefferson Airplane’s, “Surrealistic Pillow.” Front man and founder of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett used this album to experiment with his whimsical lyricism and psychedelic sounds, making this piece an Alice in Wonderland like adventure for the ears. Although this is the only Pink Floyd album that is entirely made up of Syd Barrett’s work, due to the fact that his mental state was slowly deteriorating, I believe that his musical genius is the reason that this album is so incredible.
The first track on the album, “Astronomy Domine”, gives off a feel that you’re descending through space, so the name is quite fitting. With a playful mixture of isolated sound effects, electric guitar and thumping drums, this track is truly a great way to start the record.
Following “Astronomy Domine” is a song titled, “Lucifer Sam” which is my personal favorite on the album. The song itself creates a spy-like feeling with its instrumentals throughout the entire song and pairs nicely with Barrett’s vocals, while making you feel like you’re riding around in a car with James Bond. “Matilda Mother,” the third song on the album, paints a picture of a fairytale like story being read, along with Richard Wright’s haunting vocals in the verses. The echoing sound of the track mixed in with the electric guitar makes for a Lewis Carroll-like feel that will leave you wanting more.
“Flaming” is a track that will no doubt have you wishing you were in wonderland with its lyrics pertaining to unicorns and buttercups, and “Pow R. Toc. H” is an example of their innovative style of music as they feature sound effects that were of course unheard of at the time of the album’s release. “Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk” features what sounds like beatboxing towards the beginning and progresses into a wild guitar instrumental at the end. Floyd truly had no limits with the album and helped prove so with their diverse sound effect choices for each and every song. “Interstellar Overdrive,” the longest song on the album, starts off with a very satisfying guitar riff as it slowly trails off into an explosion of instrumental proportions, creating different mesmerizing arrays of psychedelic bliss.
“The Gnome,” is a simple, playful tune sung by Barrett. The poetic lyrics involving a gnome channel into the child-like mindset much like the song, “Flaming.” “Chapter 24” was written in regards to a Chinese text titled “I Ching” while providing for a spiritually pleasing sounding track. “Scarecrow”, a polished tune, and a folk sounding one at that, has been known to play into “themes of existentialism,” which in Pink Floyd’s case, is quite common within the lyrics to many of their songs. This track is very intriguing, much like the others. And finally, closing off the album is the song titled, “Bike.” One of my favorites, the song includes mostly upbeat vocals by Barrett and lyrics pertaining to material possessions in which to provide the girl (being the subject of the song.). It’s an exceptional piece to end the record with and the closing of the song, provides sounds of clocks and bells that really put an even deeper psychedelic spin on things.
Overall, this album is an example of the unprecedented style that was early Pink Floyd. Without the creative stylings of Syd Barrett, who knows where they would have ended up. This record is a bold, conceptual piece of musical art that I believe is one of the greatest of all time. If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock or progressive tunes, I highly recommend this album. And if you’re not, I still highly recommend this album, because you may be surprised. I have no doubt in my mind that Timothy Leary would have given “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” two thumbs up and no doubt that you will too.
