Let's be objective here...

I don't, never liked it. I own all their albums from DSOTM, the rest I have in one CD in mp3 format. I never listen to that CD.

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You are only comming through in waves

Fixxlevy we seem to be on the same wave length here - worrying :smile:

Many people refer to Syd's genius, and some of that staff was unique and in a "madcap" way some of it was brilliant.

But I have been wondering if I would have even given it a chance if it wasn't Pink Floyd...I don't like a lot else from that sort of period. This is why I think David's Floyd should have changed their name, but that topic has been covered elsewhere.

Simon

Hi once more, fellow Floydians:
Regarding "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" record I must agree with the previous posters' opinions, for it's not my favourite Floyd album. In fact, I'm not very fond of that whole psychedelic period of the band, when Syd Barrett was the leader and main composer/lyricist. Some critics do claim that the man was a genius, whose work was stimulated and later spoiled by the abuse of drugs. In my view, the music that Barrett composed was just the materialization of his random and totally uncontrolled delirious and schizophrenic ramblings, with very little artistic value, if there was any! Later on, when Waters took over and Gilmour replaced Barrett, they were still heavily influenced by the psychedelic atmosphere so typical in the '60s., but it became much more restrained and in tune with the aesthetics that the Floyd were after in search of a new style that would be their own. Songs like "A Saucerful of Secrets" -though much more digestive in its second part, as the first is just made of abstract, disperse and senseless sounds-, or "Careful with that Axe Eugene" are splendid to listen to, especially the live versions performed in the "Live at Pompeii" show!
All that goes to say that I do prefer their 1970s.' period, which is far more rich and mature in terms of the quality and artisticality (if such a word exists) of their music.

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Pink Floyd's music is the best equivalent to the most exhilarating state of transcendence!

I agree. bugger puts it well. I think alot of creativity from the others would have gone unnoticed if syd had remained. "What if" syd had been able to stay... an interesting thought.

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We don't know what the hell it is, except that it's very large and it has a purpose.
-Dr. Floyd, 2010

Honestly and truthfully? Hell YES!

Not claiming to be any sort of PF purist, or whatever besides a Gilmour-whore!, Piper at the Gates of Dawn is sublime. It speaks to me in of course a different way than every other Floyd album, but it still speaks to me. Even the raucous beginning of "Saucerful..." can be suitable for some occasions. :smile:

I suspect some of you weren't PROPERLY introduced to the Floyd. Try it with hot oil [and the rest] massages sometime. It'll knock your socks off!

Feels like an essay coming on :grin:

"Made contact with the human race at Mildenhall."

Floyd on!
Byron

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Count me in on the journey, don't expect me to stay.

Now, I'm not exactly a huge fan of Piper, but there are some songs on there that deserve a second (third, fourth and so on) listen...actually, the first four tracks and "Interstellar Overdrive" are up there with my favourite Floyd songs...

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Think for yourself. Question authority.

Honestly, no.

And that is sad because it is, in my opinion, a good album. Only because it is THE FIRST PINK FLOYD ALBUM did I ever listen to it agai and again. And after listening to it again and again I fell in love with it, and Syd's other work. Of course this isn't the Pink Floyd we know, and surely not as good, but I still enjoy it.

(BTW, please no posts about me not being a TRUE fan, I am giving the guy credit, just saying he's not what you expect after hearing the other albums.)

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stchrissie is not me.

I Totaly agree with Albatross & Water's bugger That the floyds Improved the hell out of themselfs the moment Syd Influence weakened,Plus Gilmour joined, giving way to all of the band members to express themselfs. I Honestly think that Jugband blues is perheps is the only bad track on saucerful of secrets, and that Let there be more light & The more latter versions of Saucerful of secrets & Set the controls for the heart of the sun are miles better then the stuff on the Piper album. Even the Live version of "Astronomy Domine" on UMMAGUMMA and the version of "Careful with that Axe Eugene" On pompeii are miles better then their predecesors on Piper and Relics.

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Emily Tries ,But Misunderstands,
But the Sun Is Eclipsed By the Moon!
So Shine On!

Since this is basically about Piper, (hey, i'm back if you didn't notice i was gone), I won't go any further than Piper. One must realize it is extremely difficult for a band that is just starting out to not create something that is in the vein of mainstream music of the period. Because if no record companies bother to produce it, your screwed and down goes the whole thing.

So I don't think it was generally Syd's fault that Piper wasn't as different as the rest of the Floyd's albums (excluding maybe Saucer..). It does take a second listen to really feel it, but that's how it is with most Floyd, there are a few songs that I have heard my first time and absolutely loved, you don't get that 'feeling' until you've heard it alot.

And to answer Fixxlevy's question, I don't really know.

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Its Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuu!

I agree Charade, a new band has to appeal to the record companies and get airplay.

I also agree that most Floyd takes a few listenings to before you really get into it.

Hope you had a good holiday (that's vacation to you, I guess)

Simon

That's the thing...Piper was *nothing* like what they were doing live. The only way they could have got the album released was for Syd to put his pop songs on it. Shame. I read in an interview that the only songs they ever played live off "Piper" were Astronomy Domine and Interstellar Overdrive.

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Think for yourself. Question authority.

Unfortunately, I have to agree that I probably wouldn't have cared for the album if it wasn't Pink Floyd. But, like so many others, after listening to it several times I like the album very much and an essential part of my music collection (like all me Pink Floyd Cds... except for maybe More, but I would still want to keep it for the sake of collecting).

Radiochair,

Perhaps you should, if you haven't alreday, get your hands on the More album whose cover design was done by Nick Mason. Then you could love it that much ... erm ... More?

Floyd on!
Byron

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Count me in on the journey, don't expect me to stay.

*l* (notice I didn't put lol)