RELICS

Relics is a favourite amongst Pink Floyd fans, especially the lovers of Syd and the early years. I personally prefer the 1967-1971 era but 1973-1979 was probably more enhanced musically, which i love just as much but i would rather put on piper than dark side most of the time. Still, this is a must for any pink floyd fan and should be in everyones collection. If you prefer the later years to the early years then you will love relics because it plays like a best of the early years cd. If you do prefer the early years, then this record sums that era up pretty well and is enjoyable to listen to. This may be a bit short for a singles collection but the floyd were never a singles band and it is an effective record delivering rarities that weren't released until this album. A must have for Floyd Fans. I think the release of Echoes in 2001 may have devalued Relics a bit but before that this was a classic compilation.

The familiar songs on Relics, "Interstellar Overdrive", "Bike", "Remember a Day", "Cirrus Minor" and "The Nile Song" have been well chosen and well placed on this album as representations of how good the first three records were, pleasing any floyd fan. But the real wonder of this record are of course the not so well known tracks, and luckily these aren't dinky songs that were cut from the other albums, they are full on floyd at their best and brilliant rarities.

"Arnold Layne" is Pink Floyds very first single, not really hinting any sort of prog rock sound but its good to hear, even if the sound quality isn't brilliant. It's a good introduction to Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett and Relics. A well chosen first track. "See Emily Play" is an incredible single, nothing fancy in the lyrics or sounds yet somehow it's a real wonder and an important song by the Floyd. I think it was a very good idea to include these songs on Echoes in 2001.

"Paintbox" is an incredible jam, showing off more psychadelia with the strange vocals. The Bassline on here is killer, hats off to Roger. "Julia Dream" is a brilliant song, showing off their better lyrics and sound, its very gloomy but the vocals here are incredible. It sounds like a leftover from A Saucerful of Secrets and clearly hints at how Pink Floyd have evolved record by record.

The studio version of "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" is good, but not so good. It is nice to finally hear a studio version but it sounds so weak compared to the live version on Ummagumma, in which Roger puts a full blown effort into his scream and the band jamming is twice as mind blowing, making this version seem a little pathetic. Roger and Nick are half as good as they were on the live version, i found this slightly dissapointing. It's also half the length which turned me off.

"Biding My Time" is a very bluesy song sounding like it was done in the "More" sessions. The lyrics are good and it gives Richard and Dave their chance to shine. There's a lovely little blues jam in the middle, again this doesn't sound very proggy but it sounds very Pink Floyd. The trumpet section is mind blowing, as well as the guitar solo.

Overall Relics has managed to be a must have compilation from the floyd ever since it was released. I think the remastered version is more for completionists even though the songs that aren't on other album are a must have. I think during the whole of the 70's this album was much more memorable than it is now as it was the only vinyl that came close to a best of and was a must have for the fans, but after the 70's came more compilations, even though Echoes was the only good one (Works and A Collection of Great Dance Songs were pathetic cash in's), i think these compilations have decreased the amazing value of Relics and the remastered version just seems like a rehash of what used to be a classic. Still you need this.