Product Description

Pink Floyd achieved their greatest success after their enigmatic leader, Syd Barrett, left the band. Originally released in 1971, RELICS documents the transition from Barrett's LSD-influenced psychedelic rock to Waters' manic-depressive-psychedelic rock. The organ-laced "Arnold Layne", and "See Emily Play" with its harpsichord break and nonsensical lyrics, are representative of the mod-pop music coming out of Londoncirca 1967, at which Barrett excelled. The instrumental "Interstellar Overdrive", hints at the type of extended space-rock jams that Roger Waters and the rest of the band would seize upon once Barrett left.
Keyboardist Rick Wright contributes two tunes, "Remember A Day" and "Paintbox", showing that he was coming into his own as a songwriter before his creative voice was squashed by the overbearing Waters. By 1971it was clear that Pink Floyd was Roger Waters' band, with the occasional contribution by one of the other members, mostnotably guitarist David Gilmour, who replaced Barrett and carried on the band's name years after Waters had disowned it.

Track Listing

1. Arnold Layne
2. Interstellar Overdrive
3. See Emily Play
4. Remember A Day
5. Paintbox
6. Julia Dream
7. Careful With That Axe Eugene
8. Cirrus Minor
9. Nile Song
10. Bidin' My Time
11. Bike

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2702 in Music
• Released on: 1996-02-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Essential - for fans and casual explorers alike
Covering the period 1967 to 1971, 'Relics' was originally released to capitalise on the success of the 'Atom Heart Mother' album. It now stands as the perfect introduction to the band's early work (alongside 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn') for those who only know 'Dark Side of the Moon' or 'The Wall'. A selection of tracks from the early LPs are presented alongside the two big Syd Barrett period singles 'Arnold Layne' and 'See Emily Play' not included on albums of the time. For fans, 'Biding My Time' is not available anywhere else, and 'Julia Dream' and this version of 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' are only otherwise available on 'The Early Singles' disc available only in the 'Shine On' box set.

But what about the music? If you only know Floyd's later work, the sound may be something of a shock. 'Arnold Layne' and 'See Emily Play' are pure sixties pop while 'Interstellar Overdrive' is the sound of Rock in its first flush stretching out and feeling for the possibilities of a more complex, experimental neo-classical approach. Elsewhere there is that peculiarly English mixture of whimsy and the blues, pastoral and psychedelia, and of course no-one should be without 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' with its menacing whispers and screaming.

Precious Relics
This is an excellent compilation album for those who wish to investigate Pink Floyd's highly productive early years, especially those with Syd Barrett.

Two of Barrett's most renowned and revered compositions are included, 'Arnold Layne' and 'See Emily Play'. The former is a curious tale depicting a barmy fellow who enjoys stealing women's undergarments, and is a characteristically idiosyncratic cut from Barrett, being both delightfully playful and flawless musically. 'See Emily Play' is even better; a psychedelic masterpiece, made distinctive due to the hallucinatory organ sounds and Barrett's blithe and effervescent lyrical imagery. These are two fantastic examples of Floyd's Syd Barrett era, where the band was able to churn out playful, childlike, almost whimsical slices of psychedelic pop, which were quintessentially English. The inclusion of Barrett's 'Interstellar Overdrive' also demonstrates his experimental and progressive leanings, aptly underlining the many dimensions of early Floyd.

This compilation isn't all about Barrett, though. Also included are early tracks from keyboardist, Rick Wright, 'Remember a Day' and 'Paintbox' (although Barrett plays guitar on the former). These tracks undoubtedly intended to recapture the Barrett-era zeitgeist of psychedelic sounds and dreamlike lyrics. Though whilst Rick has a pleasant voice, the songs lack the distinctiveness of Barrett's work. However, they are still interesting artefacts from the band's distant psychedelic past.

On 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene', Pink Floyd's successful progression away from the Barrett sound is evident. The song is a hugely atmospheric jam, driven by Rick Wright's wondrous eastern-sounding organ playing and interpolated forebodingly with ghostly shrieks from Roger Waters. The song is almost unnerving, and is a sign of Pink Floyd evolving both musically and thematically. Additionally, the hard-rocking, 'The Nile Song', is reminiscent of The Who and shows the band in a new light, adding greatly to the variety of the album.

The album concludes appropriately, ending where it began, with a Barrett pop song, 'Bike', which typifies the initial Pink Floyd's quirky sound. This serves to emphasise what a well-constructed compilation 'Relics' is and, resultantly, the album is perfect for both seasoned Floyd fans and newcomers, as there will be something to satisfy everyone on here. My only (minor) gripe is the lack of two oft-forgotten Barrett songs: the winter 1967 single, 'Apples and Oranges', which would ultimately be Syd's final single; and the b-side to 'Arnold Layne', 'Candy and a Currant Bun'.

A Floyd album for Non-Floyd fans
This isn't 'The Wall' or 'Meddle' or 'Dark Side' or even 'Saucerful of Secrets' - this is largely Syd's Pink Floyd and gives full expression to our favourite Crazy Diamond. I'm proud to admit that this an "Piper at the Gates" are the only Floyd albums I now own and I play this often. Someone will doubtless point out Syd isn't involved on all of these tracks but they're all brushed with his influence and tainted by his maniacal vision. This is England's version of Roky Erickson & the 13th Floor Elevators but much better recordings.

Axe (as soundtracked on Zabriskie Point) is good, the singles Arnold Layne & Emily Play a perfect marriage but it's the mellow Cirrus Minor, Julia Dream, Paintbox and Remember a Day that really take me back to the years immediately after the Brit's summer of love. They're blissful (the perfect adjective here). Maybe I should give due credit to Roger Waters here. The Nile Song & Interstellar both rock and Paintbox ends up making you want to rip off all of your clothes, no matter who's in the room with you. Oops - time for me to be on me Bike!