THE MADCAP LAUGHS

I actually enjoy this album slightly more than The Piper At The Gates of Dawn, but that probably isn't saying much since the two albums have little in common. Both releases feature Syd Barrett and Roger Waters but musically and lyrically this is a whole different experience.

Most of these performances feature one man performances by Syd Barrett where he sings his original lyrics while playing his acoustic guitar. I find most of those compositions quite average, likely this isn't everything the album has to offer. There are a few compositions that are performed in a band setting and that's where Barrett's work really gets the treatment it deserves. Compositions like Octopus and Late Night are among the best that I've heard from both his work with Pink Floyd and solo so it's unfortunate that this album have so few of these magical moments.

Overall The Madcap Laughs features many different sides of this struggling young artist but leaves strong emotions out of the performances and therefore I doubt that anyone outside the already well established Pink Floyd fan-base will find this material all that impressive.

***** star songs: Terrapin (5:04) Octopus (3:47) Late Night (3:10)

**** star songs: No Good Trying (3:26) Dark Globe (2:02) Golden Hair (1:59) Long Gone (2:50) If It's In You (2:26)

*** star songs: Love You (2:30) No Man's Land (3:03) Here I Go (3:11) She Took A Long Cold Look (1:55) Feel (2:17)