THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN

This album is paradoxal. In one aspect, it sucks. In another, it's one of the most innovative endeavours in music history. Everything depends on from where you look at it. I will explain my reasoning for both, it's taken me awhile before I could write this review

1. Astronomy Domine (3.5/5) or (5/5): The lyrics to this song consist of nonsense ramblings and insane guitar chords that seem downright bizzare on the first listen. Mnay people can be driven away from this song simply because it is so outside of the box. At the same time is an amazing song and by far the best on the album. While still being bizzare, proabably the best example of LSD influnced music, but can still be enoyable when not on a trip

2. Lucifer Sam (3/5) or (4/5): This song has a catchy bass riff which makes it the most accessible song to most people and to many that hate the album. The silly, childish lyrics can drive many away from the song. On the other hand, the complex mixture of instruments forshadows the Pink Floyd that was to come.

3. Matilda Mother (2/5) or (3.5/5): another of the more accessible songs, but the stupid lyrics will once agian turn people the other way. Still, the song reflects the mind set of Syd Barret and shows music as it is influenced by LSD

4. Flaming (1/5) or (3.5/5): Once agian, silly lyrics, but the expirementation of the song shows the innovation of the band and their talent at expirementation

5. Pow R Toc H (3/5) or (5/5): A goofy instrumentals that once agian is comprised of wierd noises and vocals. Stupid and yet pretty cool. At some points it sounds like a primitive version of "Careful With that Axe"

6. Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk (1/5) or (4/5): The stupid, annoying vocals and the senseless random wandering of the lyrics is more than enough to deem it one of PF's worst songs. On the other hand, being Roger Water's first sole credit, is an intersting song, and the complex, unorganized instrumentation is another great example of the effect of drugs on rock and roll.

7. Intersteller Overdrive (2/5) or (5/5): The ten minute length of the song, the throbbing riffs alternating between speakers around the 8 minute mark and the wandering of the song can make it annoying and unlistenable. On the other hand, this is anothjer great expiermentation of space rock and a great example of the psychedlic progressive moment. The opening riffs are catchy and if you are tripping, it will probably be an epic trip. By far one of Syd Barret's best work. The middle section where it slows doin't to almost total silence, is a feature that would apopear in their other extended plays like "Echoes" and "Dogs"

8. The Gnome (0/5) or (3/5): By far the worst track. There is essentially no muci, and the lyrics are downright stupid, even if they aren't sillier than the other songs on the album. After the climatic end of Intersteller Overdrive, This song fails to do the album justice. But it's still a good insight into Syd Barrets slowly decaying mind

9. Chapter 24 (1/5) or (4/5): Intersting lyrics, but the music is reptitive and can seem to drag out for a while. A dull song if you aren't into Syd's muic. However, it is an intersting song and the lyrics are a primitive version of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun"

10. Scarecrow (3/5) or (4.5/5): The most listenable song on the album if you haven't liked it by the time you get here. Almost Beatle-esque but still a little wired. One of Syd Barret's best songs

11. Bike (1/5) or (3/5): Another silly song, the later half of which is filled with annoying sound effects. I have to admit I hated the song at first, but now I begin to realize the creativity in it, and once agian shows the effect of LSD on music

Summary: Sucks for the childish lyrics and random instrumentation Innovative for the combination of wierd sounds and the expirementation that would lead to master pices like Atom Heart Mother and Dark Side of the Moon

rating: 2 stars or 4 stars. That averages to 3, but due to Syd's influnce on the band it's essential, and desrves 4