Pink Floyd

The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

an artist's vision

Review Score:

(10/10)
Without question my favorite albums are those done by artists whose sole intent is to create a reflection of what they feel and believe at that particular time. The titles that really stand the test are those which can still convey an artist's vision vividly and artistically decades (or more) later.

The world, both socially and politically, was a very different place in the late sixties whether kids were still buying Monkees albums or just turning on to Hendrix. Generally most people's mindset was much more naive than today and there was a place for experimental music that came from the artist rather than his marketing analyst or demographics sales coordinator. Music of that sort, no matter what the genre, is genuine and usually somewhat insightful even if it isn't particularly entertaining, which this album is.

No... it doesn't sound like DSOTM or The Wall but that isn't surprising. I mean really, who would expect the Beatles first album to sound like Abbey Road? If Lennon, McCartney and the lads put out SGT PEPPERS in 1963 they'd probably have been shunned and locked up as dangerous lunatics. Artists, just like real people, grow and evolve... then they die. But the art lives on and I'm really glad Syd Barrett and the boys put this gem together because it captures what the musical underground was really about back then BETTER than any other album I've listened to.

If everything you hear has to sound like variations of the same album you should be sure to pick up every live/studio/bootleg/allstar knockoff and tribute to The Wall that there is. But if you're actually interested in where all this came from (and not so jaded that every flavor has to taste the same) then treat yourself to a real gem and pick up PATGOD.

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