This album is a good way to sample the unique vibe of The Floyd when Syd Barrett was the leader and in the period after he left as the band attempted to write new material. The collection includes two essential Barrett singles See Emily Play and Arnold Layne which are not included on Piper at the Gates of Dawn. What is interesting is the sheer strength of his songwriting, singing and cutting edge electric guitar. It is absolutely maddening for fans to contemplate what Pink Floyd might have become had he kept his sanity intact. Relics reveals the new direction of the band from 1967 - 68 as Waters and Gilmour attempted to write fresh material. Whilst Julia Dream and Cirrus Minor certainly do justice to the band's "trippy" reputation they seem elementary in comparison to anything by Barrett, even his throwaway Bike, included on this album. Whilst not a particularly great record, Relics is a history lesson in Floyd folklore and essential listening for diehard fans. The overwhelming message, of course, is that before his mental breakdown, Syd Barrett was Pink Floyd and his presence in the psychedelic era as important as John Lennon. The difference being, of course, that the Beatles were a pop group and The Floyd regarded more as an underground act. Listen here and find out why.Read full review
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