Floyd Lives After Barrett!?

[man]

I read before that floyd died after Barrett left. Iv often thought about it and i honsestly think that floyd were better off without him, he was probably a reasonably good song writer but he probably would have just dragged em down, they really took off after he left. What ya think?

[New Noise]

That's pretty much the general consensus of Floyd fans. But you'll occasionally find the nutcase that believes that Syd's Floyd was the "real" Floyd. Not too many of those though.

I, however, haven't much delved into the Barrett-era material. I don't even own Piper at the Gates of Dawn...but I've heard several of the songs and I'd say they're pretty good at best.

They were definitely a lot better after Syd.
Welcome to the site!

[man]

thanks new noise, thats good to hear i dont own piper either and i dont plan on, its a bit depressing for my taste darkest i go is animals, i like dogs

[Jeffaz02t]

I respect Syd I guess. I just do not know how anybody could prefer him over Dave. Dave is a better singer and guitar player than Syd could ever dream of. As far as Syd's songwriting... I think Piper was pretty horrid....

[Watered]

Syd was a unique personality and his style was also one of a kind (merging nursery rhymes, psychedelia and a bit of Lewis Carroll's "nonsense"), very British in an eccentric way. But I suppose that it is also an acquired taste and albums like "The Piper" suffer as well from the production techniques and quality that were available back in '67. Anyway, songs like "Astronomy Domine" or "See Emily Play" are great.

[Jeffaz02t]

Well, SGT Pepper was made at the same time as Piper and it is quite listenable. I do not thing you can say that the production was a problem. You cannot polish a turd, and I am sorry to say, Piper was just that. Terrible album in my opinion. Especially considering the great work they did after Syd was booted.... Darkside, Wish You Were Here, Obscured, Meddle, Animals, The Wall, The Final Cut, AMLOR, TDB, More... ect ect... They are all so much more meaningful to me.

I am not flaming the pro-Syd crowd... I just happen to really dislike that first album....

[Aneurysm]

I like older Floyd myself, with Barrett and right after he left.

[Colour]

With Barrett, they were a band of the times. In the 66-68 era, psychedelic music was the thing. And Syd in a way led that generation. The band hardly took off after he left. They had More, Ummagumma, and Atom Heart Mother. Now, it's not that I don't like those albums, but it's a clear picture of a confused band. It definitely took the band time to find themselves (Meddle).

People asked the stupid question of "Which one's Pink?" because of the lyric from Have a Cigar obviously. People say it's Dave or Roger; they hardly say it's Syd.

To me, Syd IS Pink. He started the band; he wrote all of their material at the beginning. The band was at a major loss in the following years. If he wasn't for him, they may not have even had a following. The other memebers at the time weren't ready for the spotlight, and the band would have likely collapsed.

I'm not saying that Floyd would have been better if Syd stayed, or that the band ceased to be Floyd after he left. I'm saying that he is the true essence of Pink Floyd. It was his band, and it's more than likely because of him that they didn't die a slow death. Why do you think they dedicated an half an album to him (Wish You Were Here).

I do think that it was vital for him to leave the band. They would not be the Pink Floyd we know and love today if he stayed with them. But he deserves a lot of credit, and hardly anyone seems to give it to him. (Many "fans" don't even know about his existence).

As for Piper, I hated it for about 6 months after I got it. It's now my second favorite (and I've heard all their albums to death). No offense--and I'm not trying to say that someone's opinion is wrong--but how can someone like A Momentary Lapse of Reason more than Piper? Same with More--about half of it is good, the other half isn't.

In summary, Syd doesn't get enough credit.

My 2 cents.

[Mark Dwyer]

You said it all dude The Pink Floyd was Syd's band until after he became more of a burden to the band. And they took some time to sort it all out on there own after he left. But when they got it going again they were one of the best of there time. The Meddle album was most surely there statement without Syd. But what followed was even more amazin'. I remember buying my own copy of The Dark side of The Moon at Sam Goody's and listening to it with Headphones Imagine that. From that point on they were one of the Greatest rock n roll band i ever cared about.

[Arnstein]

Do you think Pink Floyd was best with or without Syd Barret?

I think they were best with him!

[WallyLama]

Definetively without

[Arnstein]

The thing is that after Syd left they made music that was more suitable for the common man, and therefore they got more fans! Syd's music is VERY special...

[Arnstein]

Originally Posted by New Noise

That's pretty much the general consensus of Floyd fans. But you'll occasionally find the nutcase that believes that Syd's Floyd was the "real" Floyd. Not too many of those though.

I respect your opinion, but I dont understand why you call them nutcase just because they dont have the same opinions that you have.

Wasn't Syd's Floyd the first Floyd? In that case it is the original line-up!

[Deranged]

Thread merged by me.

[New Noise]

Originally Posted by Arnstein

I respect your opinion, but I dont understand why you call them nutcase just because they dont have the same opinions that you have.

Wasn't Syd's Floyd the first Floyd? In that case it is the original line-up!

Yes it's the original line-up. But honestly, is Syd the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Pink Floyd? Sure Syd's Floyd was good, but I really don't consider it PINK FLOYD, and honestly, anybody who does probably just wants to be different.