The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn – PINK FLOYD***

Astronomy Domine/Lucifer Sam/Matilda Mother/Flaming/Pow R Toc H/Take Up Thy Stethoscope & Walk/ Interstellar Overdrive/The Gnome/Chapter 24/The Scarecrow/Bike

Pink Floyd's debut album Piper At The Gates Of Dawn is one of the best remembered releases from 1967, but in retrospect it appears to have been rather overrated, despite its undoubted originality. In reality it is more a Syd Barratt album since he was responsible for nearly all the tracks. It combines a couple of lengthy 'space-rock' numbers with several shorter whimsical Barratt songs. None of the latter approach the brilliance of their hit singles, the psychedelic See Emily Play and the very naughty Arnold Layne, banned by the BBC. Syd Barratt would leave the band after this album. (US:131 UK:6)

"If every piece on the album were as chaotic, energetic, and downright cool as the opening Astronomy Domine, this album would be a classic and a half. Unfortunately, the rest does not reach expectations. Some of it's good, some of it's bad, a lot of it's okay. I personally can't stand Interstellar Overdrive."

"Syd writes most of the songs, sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar. He was the heart and soul of the band at the time. Big space-rock numbers like Astronomy Domine and Interstellar Overdrive are complemented by whimsical short numbers like The Gnome and Bike."

"Piper At The Gates Of Dawn has some good psychedelic rock, but its lack of melodies dooms it to mediocrity. The first track is the only one that I would call above average. Most tracks on the first half have some interesting guitar work. The tracks continue their steady decline until Interstellar Overdrive, a track that is a poor indication of the excellent extended cuts Floyd would perfect in subsequent albums. The last four tracks are awful both in the simplicity of their construction and strange lyrics. After giving this album a fair try, I can safely say that Barrett's departure was a blessing and allowed the band to pursue more prog rock that would make Pink Floyd one of the best bands of the 70s and beyond."

"Space pixie Syd Barrett's crowning achievement was ultimately his first and last album recorded under the banner of Pink Floyd, when he was the driving force."

"This is obviously something special, mixing whimsical and fairytale like lyrics with the avant-garde and space rock, creating a sound quite clearly new and dynamic."