Stevie - I was 7.4 you were 6.8 so pretty close. Our on real disagreement was Long Gone. And there is just something about that song that I have disliked since the first time I heard it back as a teen. If It's In You got the same 2 rating.
We both agree that David and Roger are the weak links. Their production sabotaging songs. I get they were frustrated but that was their friend.
This album started out so strong. Take out the weakest numbers and it works so much better.
I'm glad you liked as much as you did.
Pink Floyd!!
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StevieG
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Pink Floyd!!
I don’t mind if an artist chooses to put a take or some interesting rehearsal stuff in a song. But in this case, I don’t feel that Syd would have chosen that - I think it was done by Waters and Gilmour for a different reason. And I don’t like that.
Hugs and sh!t ~ lucimay
I think you're right ~ TheFallen
I think you're right ~ TheFallen
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sgt.null
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Pink Floyd!!
Syd Barrett - Barrett
Syd Barrett – lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, painting
David Gilmour – bass, 12-string guitar, slide guitar (9), additional organ (4, 7), drums (3), production
Richard Wright – Hammond organ, piano, harmonium, Wurlitzer electric piano, tack piano, production
Vic Saywell – tuba (11)
Jerry Shirley – drums, percussion
John "Willie" Wilson – drums, percussion
Barrett is the second and final studio album of new material released by former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett. Recording began at Abbey Road Studios on 26 February 1970, and lasted for 15 sessions until 21 July. The album was produced by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Richard Wright, who also contributed on bass and keyboards respectively, along with previous Madcap contributor Jerry Shirley on drums.
Syd Barrett – lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, painting
David Gilmour – bass, 12-string guitar, slide guitar (9), additional organ (4, 7), drums (3), production
Richard Wright – Hammond organ, piano, harmonium, Wurlitzer electric piano, tack piano, production
Vic Saywell – tuba (11)
Jerry Shirley – drums, percussion
John "Willie" Wilson – drums, percussion
Barrett is the second and final studio album of new material released by former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett. Recording began at Abbey Road Studios on 26 February 1970, and lasted for 15 sessions until 21 July. The album was produced by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Richard Wright, who also contributed on bass and keyboards respectively, along with previous Madcap contributor Jerry Shirley on drums.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
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sgt.null
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Pink Floyd!!
01) Baby Lemonade - the guitar intro is Syd warming up that Dave happened to record and tacked on to the beginning og the song. A happy accident that works. I like that the song starts then with vocals, organ, guitar and bass. And the drums don't start until Syd sing "Please..." The instrumentation is on point.
Syd's solo is minimalist. I'm sure not by choice, but it works in context. I also like the instrumental run out at the end. Syd's lyrics are strong. Sad towns, clowns, rain falling, cages. All very evocative. I've no idea what Baby Lemonade means but it is memorable. And "cold iron hand clap..." is brilliant.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10
02) Love Song - well its a pleasant diversion. But there just isn't much there. It just shuffles along. Some nice piano work by Rick. The lyrics are sweet. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.
03) Dominoes - the shuffle and backwards guitar on this plus Syd's almost ethereal vocal delivery make this whole song feel like a dream. Syd draws out the end of the lines as well to add to that. The drums have a slight military cadence at times. And we have an almost two minute instrumental coda. I love that!
The lyrics speak of dreams. And wasting time playing time playing time playing dominoes. Feeding in to music showing we are in no rush. Meanwhile Syd's mind is astray. Null Rating : 10 out of 10
04) It Is Obvious - The title seems a challenge because the song is not obvious at all. Syd at his most esoteric. But there seems to be an internal logic at work in the lyrics. He seems to moving to a destination. In my thinking anyway. Rick is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. I really like the organ flourish Rick adds at the end. This is what a sympathetic producer adds to the mix, unlike what Roger did the last album. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.
05) Rats - Brilliant. I'll start there. Then explain why. It's a song about rats and it starts a bit slow and builds speed getting more and more manic as it builds up steam. I'm posting the lyrics in the next post. Not all the lyrics seem to be actual words and not all the words that exist are used correctly. Tying into the manic build up. And you can in the lyrics and the music and Syd's vocals delivery feel the rats squirming and wriggling and pressing against each other. And the most important line? The one that breaks my heart. "and if you think you're un-loved then we know about that...." amid the madness Syd shows that he identifies with the loneliness and isolation. Damn. Null Rating : 10 out of 10
06) Maisie - Well this has grown on me over the years. I am really liking the muscular blues of the music. And the lead guitar is really playing well off the rest of the group. The drumming is bery strong, punching through. This is some of Dave's strongest bass to this point, likely because it is a simple blues vamp.
I think part of my initial dislike years ago was a mishearing of the lyrics. I thought Syd said "lay in the hole..." but it is "lay in the hall." and that changes it for me from a very negative conetation. It is also taken me some time to get used to Syd's lower register on his vocals. Not in love with it, but it isn't as grating as it once was with the lyric change. Null Rating : 6 out of 10
07) Gigolo Aunt - Firstly, "Grooving around in a trench coat with the satin entrail..." is a brilliant opening line. And I still quote "Superlative Day..." to this day. Used to drive them crazy at the prison. Also love the chorus.
Cause I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
Yes I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
This song is a prime example of Syd's superior word play. And he could make a beautiful pop song out of what seems like nonsense. But it was wonderful and delightful. It sounds pleasing. And there is a simple rhyme scheme throughout most of the song.
But he totally loses it in the second stanza, but if you look there is an internal rhyme scheme in there. (I use that a lot in my poetry) I don't know if that was intentional on Syd's part or if it just worked out that way. But it is hard to do.
Heading down with the light, the dust in your way
She was angrier than, than her water shell male
Life to this love to me, heading me down to me
Thunder bird shale seems to be all and it's rosy, it's a beautiful day
And the pre-chorus is so simple but makes the song. With it's slight dragging as he sings it.
Will you please keep on the track?
'Cause I almost want you back
Before we land on the chorus....
Cause I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
Yes I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
I've no idea what that means, but it is unforgettable .
As to the music. I like that it begins with the guitar strumming, as if clearing the way for what is about to begin. As if Syd is searching for the words to start. As Syd starts with the amazing opening line the entire band kicks in. David is playing additional organ to provide more color and depth. But Rick is carrying the main portion of this. Showing once again that he was a much more sympathetic producer. Dave's bass is strong, the simplicity actually helping. The drumming also strong. Syd's guitar is said to have surprised the musicians as this was one of the days he played well. He was still there at times. And his vocals were strong.
It's heartbreaking listening to this knowing what we lost. Syd at his best was an amazing artist capable of amazing artistry and his mind betrayed him. And that he knew it to some degree.
I wish I could award this more points its one of my favorites.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10
08) Waving My Arms In the Air / I Never Lied to You - Speaking of heartbreaking. Syd can write of real experiences as well. These are two different songs tied together. The first seems to find the couple still together. Flush in love. And with it we find Syd slightly manic, repeating lines, repeating words. He is so excited that he tells us again and again. The lead guitar dances in our left ear, Rick's piano dances in our right ear. But as Syd calls to her "And you shouldn't try to be, What you can't be..." realizing that not all is right?
"Call to you and what do you do" the music slows and transitions. Syd is no longer excited. He is somber. He no longer repeats lines. He is pleading with her. "But everything to you was never easy..." And the admission. "But I know this. I know, I never lied to you..." and end. "Why I am here? what's meant to be?"
Is Syd singing about a lost girlfriend. Is Syd singing about himself? It is up to interpretation. You as the listener brings that.
It can be about your lost love. Null Rating : 10 out of 10
09) Wined and Dined - I like the lyrics to this very much. Especially (as a writer) the turn around on kind in "Girl was so kind, Kind of love I'd never seen..." It the kind of repeating phrase that sounds good to the ear. Simple but effective. Listeners like a certain amount of repetition. Also his use of "musk winds" is sweet. "Chalk underfoot" is also outstanding. I'm deducting one point because the mix is slightly to loud for his vocals. A bit too busy for a sweet little song. This one should have been a bit more simplified. Null Rating : 7 out of 10
10) Wolfpack - Another amazing opening line. "Howling the pack in formation appears..." And the the next line confuses and delights us "Diamonds and Clubs..." I love the double meaning here. And Syd mentions Pack a few times to add to the confusion. Beautiful. "Magnesium Proverbs..." is yet another absolutely stunning phrase.
The music is a swirling cacophony. Threatening to derail. Syd strumming almost absent mindedly on his acoustic at times. The drummer finding rudiments at seeming odd times. The guitar punching through the madness. The instruments don't seem connected. They seem independent. We suddenly hear Rick punching his piano towards the end. But it all works somehow. These disparate elements that seem not anchored to anything are holding it all together. Like the Wolfpack they are actually working towards thecsame goal. This sounds like the Musique concrète that Rick was listening to. Null Rating : 10 out of 10.
11) Effervescing Elephant - Syd wrote this as a teen. It was pastiche of the verse form of Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales for Children. Belloc's book was the source material for the original lyrics to Matilda Mother
This is a fun song with fun lyrics. The tuba is a fun addition. And Julie loves this song as well.
This song never fails to put a song on my face.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10
https://youtu.be/dp4DjDxpdTk?si=nEyZ76q18BaIfnKZ
The original version of Pink Floyd's - Matilda Mother
An effervescing elephant
With tiny eyes and great big trunk
Once whispered to the tiny ear
The ear of one inferior
That by next June he'd die, oh yeah
Because the tiger would roam
The little one said
"Oh my goodness, I must stay at home"
And every time I hear a growl
I'll know the tiger's on the prowl
And I'll be really safe, you know
The elephant, he told me so
Everyone was nervy, oh yeah
And the message was spread
To zebra, mongoose
And the dirty hippopotamus
Who wallowed in the mud and chewed
His spicy hippo-plankton food
And tended to ignore the word
Preferring to survey a herd
Of stupid water bison, oh yeah
And all the jungle took fright
And ran around for all the day and the night
But all in vain, because, you see
The tiger came and said
"Who, me? You know I wouldn't hurt not one of you
I'd much prefer something to chew
And your all to scant"
Oh, yeah
He ate the elephant
Syd Barrett - Barrett. Null Rating : 8.9
Syd's solo is minimalist. I'm sure not by choice, but it works in context. I also like the instrumental run out at the end. Syd's lyrics are strong. Sad towns, clowns, rain falling, cages. All very evocative. I've no idea what Baby Lemonade means but it is memorable. And "cold iron hand clap..." is brilliant.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10
02) Love Song - well its a pleasant diversion. But there just isn't much there. It just shuffles along. Some nice piano work by Rick. The lyrics are sweet. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.
03) Dominoes - the shuffle and backwards guitar on this plus Syd's almost ethereal vocal delivery make this whole song feel like a dream. Syd draws out the end of the lines as well to add to that. The drums have a slight military cadence at times. And we have an almost two minute instrumental coda. I love that!
The lyrics speak of dreams. And wasting time playing time playing time playing dominoes. Feeding in to music showing we are in no rush. Meanwhile Syd's mind is astray. Null Rating : 10 out of 10
04) It Is Obvious - The title seems a challenge because the song is not obvious at all. Syd at his most esoteric. But there seems to be an internal logic at work in the lyrics. He seems to moving to a destination. In my thinking anyway. Rick is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. I really like the organ flourish Rick adds at the end. This is what a sympathetic producer adds to the mix, unlike what Roger did the last album. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.
05) Rats - Brilliant. I'll start there. Then explain why. It's a song about rats and it starts a bit slow and builds speed getting more and more manic as it builds up steam. I'm posting the lyrics in the next post. Not all the lyrics seem to be actual words and not all the words that exist are used correctly. Tying into the manic build up. And you can in the lyrics and the music and Syd's vocals delivery feel the rats squirming and wriggling and pressing against each other. And the most important line? The one that breaks my heart. "and if you think you're un-loved then we know about that...." amid the madness Syd shows that he identifies with the loneliness and isolation. Damn. Null Rating : 10 out of 10
06) Maisie - Well this has grown on me over the years. I am really liking the muscular blues of the music. And the lead guitar is really playing well off the rest of the group. The drumming is bery strong, punching through. This is some of Dave's strongest bass to this point, likely because it is a simple blues vamp.
I think part of my initial dislike years ago was a mishearing of the lyrics. I thought Syd said "lay in the hole..." but it is "lay in the hall." and that changes it for me from a very negative conetation. It is also taken me some time to get used to Syd's lower register on his vocals. Not in love with it, but it isn't as grating as it once was with the lyric change. Null Rating : 6 out of 10
07) Gigolo Aunt - Firstly, "Grooving around in a trench coat with the satin entrail..." is a brilliant opening line. And I still quote "Superlative Day..." to this day. Used to drive them crazy at the prison. Also love the chorus.
Cause I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
Yes I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
This song is a prime example of Syd's superior word play. And he could make a beautiful pop song out of what seems like nonsense. But it was wonderful and delightful. It sounds pleasing. And there is a simple rhyme scheme throughout most of the song.
But he totally loses it in the second stanza, but if you look there is an internal rhyme scheme in there. (I use that a lot in my poetry) I don't know if that was intentional on Syd's part or if it just worked out that way. But it is hard to do.
Heading down with the light, the dust in your way
She was angrier than, than her water shell male
Life to this love to me, heading me down to me
Thunder bird shale seems to be all and it's rosy, it's a beautiful day
And the pre-chorus is so simple but makes the song. With it's slight dragging as he sings it.
Will you please keep on the track?
'Cause I almost want you back
Before we land on the chorus....
Cause I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
Yes I know what you are
You are a gigolo aunt, you're a gigolo aunt
I've no idea what that means, but it is unforgettable .
As to the music. I like that it begins with the guitar strumming, as if clearing the way for what is about to begin. As if Syd is searching for the words to start. As Syd starts with the amazing opening line the entire band kicks in. David is playing additional organ to provide more color and depth. But Rick is carrying the main portion of this. Showing once again that he was a much more sympathetic producer. Dave's bass is strong, the simplicity actually helping. The drumming also strong. Syd's guitar is said to have surprised the musicians as this was one of the days he played well. He was still there at times. And his vocals were strong.
It's heartbreaking listening to this knowing what we lost. Syd at his best was an amazing artist capable of amazing artistry and his mind betrayed him. And that he knew it to some degree.
I wish I could award this more points its one of my favorites.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10
08) Waving My Arms In the Air / I Never Lied to You - Speaking of heartbreaking. Syd can write of real experiences as well. These are two different songs tied together. The first seems to find the couple still together. Flush in love. And with it we find Syd slightly manic, repeating lines, repeating words. He is so excited that he tells us again and again. The lead guitar dances in our left ear, Rick's piano dances in our right ear. But as Syd calls to her "And you shouldn't try to be, What you can't be..." realizing that not all is right?
"Call to you and what do you do" the music slows and transitions. Syd is no longer excited. He is somber. He no longer repeats lines. He is pleading with her. "But everything to you was never easy..." And the admission. "But I know this. I know, I never lied to you..." and end. "Why I am here? what's meant to be?"
Is Syd singing about a lost girlfriend. Is Syd singing about himself? It is up to interpretation. You as the listener brings that.
It can be about your lost love. Null Rating : 10 out of 10
09) Wined and Dined - I like the lyrics to this very much. Especially (as a writer) the turn around on kind in "Girl was so kind, Kind of love I'd never seen..." It the kind of repeating phrase that sounds good to the ear. Simple but effective. Listeners like a certain amount of repetition. Also his use of "musk winds" is sweet. "Chalk underfoot" is also outstanding. I'm deducting one point because the mix is slightly to loud for his vocals. A bit too busy for a sweet little song. This one should have been a bit more simplified. Null Rating : 7 out of 10
10) Wolfpack - Another amazing opening line. "Howling the pack in formation appears..." And the the next line confuses and delights us "Diamonds and Clubs..." I love the double meaning here. And Syd mentions Pack a few times to add to the confusion. Beautiful. "Magnesium Proverbs..." is yet another absolutely stunning phrase.
The music is a swirling cacophony. Threatening to derail. Syd strumming almost absent mindedly on his acoustic at times. The drummer finding rudiments at seeming odd times. The guitar punching through the madness. The instruments don't seem connected. They seem independent. We suddenly hear Rick punching his piano towards the end. But it all works somehow. These disparate elements that seem not anchored to anything are holding it all together. Like the Wolfpack they are actually working towards thecsame goal. This sounds like the Musique concrète that Rick was listening to. Null Rating : 10 out of 10.
11) Effervescing Elephant - Syd wrote this as a teen. It was pastiche of the verse form of Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales for Children. Belloc's book was the source material for the original lyrics to Matilda Mother
This is a fun song with fun lyrics. The tuba is a fun addition. And Julie loves this song as well.
This song never fails to put a song on my face.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10
https://youtu.be/dp4DjDxpdTk?si=nEyZ76q18BaIfnKZ
The original version of Pink Floyd's - Matilda Mother
An effervescing elephant
With tiny eyes and great big trunk
Once whispered to the tiny ear
The ear of one inferior
That by next June he'd die, oh yeah
Because the tiger would roam
The little one said
"Oh my goodness, I must stay at home"
And every time I hear a growl
I'll know the tiger's on the prowl
And I'll be really safe, you know
The elephant, he told me so
Everyone was nervy, oh yeah
And the message was spread
To zebra, mongoose
And the dirty hippopotamus
Who wallowed in the mud and chewed
His spicy hippo-plankton food
And tended to ignore the word
Preferring to survey a herd
Of stupid water bison, oh yeah
And all the jungle took fright
And ran around for all the day and the night
But all in vain, because, you see
The tiger came and said
"Who, me? You know I wouldn't hurt not one of you
I'd much prefer something to chew
And your all to scant"
Oh, yeah
He ate the elephant
Syd Barrett - Barrett. Null Rating : 8.9
Last edited by sgt.null on Sun Jul 06, 2025 8:23 am, edited 7 times in total.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
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sgt.null
- Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
- Posts: 48466
- Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
- Location: Brazoria, Texas
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 14 times
Pink Floyd!!
Syd Barrett - Rats
Got it hit down
spot knock inside a spider
says: "That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
"That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
says: "That's love - All know it
TV, teeth, feet, peace, feel it...
"That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
"That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
like the fall that brings me to
I like the fall that brings me to
I like the cord around sinew
I make a cord around sinew
Duck, the way to least is less
Tea craving of the metal west
'ell tomorrow's rain and test
'ell tomorrow's rain and test
Love an empty son and guess
Love an empty son and guess
pimples dangerous and blessed
Heaving, arriving, tinkling
mingling jets and statuettes
seething wet we meeting fleck
seething wet we meeting fleck
lines and winds and crib and half
each fair day I give you half
of each fair day I give you half
I look into your eyes and you,
flathe in the sun for you...
Bam, spastic, tactile engine
heaving, crackle, slinky, dormy, roofy, wham
I'll have them, fried bloke
broken jardy, cardy, smoocho, moocho, paki, pufftle
sploshette moxy, very smelly,
cable, gable, splintra, channel
top the seam he's taken off
rats, rats lay down flat
we don't need you, we act like that
and if you think you're un-loved
then we know about that...
rats, rats, lay down flat!
yes, yes, yes, yes, lay down flat!
Got it hit down
spot knock inside a spider
says: "That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
"That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
says: "That's love - All know it
TV, teeth, feet, peace, feel it...
"That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
"That's love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"
like the fall that brings me to
I like the fall that brings me to
I like the cord around sinew
I make a cord around sinew
Duck, the way to least is less
Tea craving of the metal west
'ell tomorrow's rain and test
'ell tomorrow's rain and test
Love an empty son and guess
Love an empty son and guess
pimples dangerous and blessed
Heaving, arriving, tinkling
mingling jets and statuettes
seething wet we meeting fleck
seething wet we meeting fleck
lines and winds and crib and half
each fair day I give you half
of each fair day I give you half
I look into your eyes and you,
flathe in the sun for you...
Bam, spastic, tactile engine
heaving, crackle, slinky, dormy, roofy, wham
I'll have them, fried bloke
broken jardy, cardy, smoocho, moocho, paki, pufftle
sploshette moxy, very smelly,
cable, gable, splintra, channel
top the seam he's taken off
rats, rats lay down flat
we don't need you, we act like that
and if you think you're un-loved
then we know about that...
rats, rats, lay down flat!
yes, yes, yes, yes, lay down flat!
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
-
StevieG
- Andelanian
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- Been thanked: 31 times
Pink Floyd!!
Ok, I'll do my review - it might take a week or so to digest all the songs as I can't remember some of them and will need to listen to the album a few times (which is what I do with all the reviews). Nice, detailed review though Sgt. I can see where a lot of your poetry comes from 
Hugs and sh!t ~ lucimay
I think you're right ~ TheFallen
I think you're right ~ TheFallen
-
sgt.null
- Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
- Posts: 48466
- Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
- Location: Brazoria, Texas
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 14 times
Pink Floyd!!
Syd Barrett a big influence. As are Vachel Lindsay, Wallace Stevens, Thomas Lux, Robert Frost , TS Eliot and Ezra Pound. The Velvet Underground (Lou Reed) and Andy Warhol initially influenced me to start writing.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...