THE MADCAP LAUGHS

I have always loved the quirky songs Syd Barrett made with Pink Floyd in the early years especially Arnold Lane, See Emily Play and Bike. However the truth is, what made these songs so much fun to listen to were the supremely clever musical backings they were couched in and for that Rick Wright should be given a lot of the credit.Anyone looking forward to more of the same on Syd Barrett's solo offerings especially the Madcap Laughs is in for a particularly rude shock. I am going to come right out with it and say it- this album is simply terrible.The songs are accompanied primarily by himself strumming crudely for the most part on a guitar and his singing is dreadful.I am not going to describe each song individually but one song in particular is so bad I honestly cannot believe it was allowed on the record at all such that it is.The song I am referring to is of course "If It's In You".It would be funny if it was not so sad. Clearly this is the work of a seriously unraveling mind but whatever- it is utterly cringe-worthy.I am not easily seduced by the concept of the "damaged genius" or whatever sacred cow like tag people inevitably assign Syd Barrett but for me the phrase "The Emperor's new clothes"springs to mind.