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Curious to know what you guys think/like about Pink Floyd's early work

Listening through Pink Floyd's entire studio album discography these days. I mostly know their work from the 70's to 90's. I will admit, I haven't quite connected fully with their early psychedelic years from Piper to Ummagumma yet. I suppose I'm a bigger fan of their "BIG sound" that would evolve later on with David's important guitar riffs, solos, conceptual records, unique production and Waters' lyrics. Those first records honestly do not really delight me always. I'm really open to hearing thoughts, discussing factors and history of these records that could give me a more open perspective, and maybe understand the importance of these works. Why do some of you like them? Is it the history of the band forming? Starting out with Syd? Any documentaries or books that focus on the early years?
 

britt5
grislybutter
2,988 posts
 

I haven't listen to them in 30 years, and I don't miss it. They were trendy for a while but I never understood why.

jbrrp1
423 posts
 

Yeah, I own all of the early pre-DSOTM albums, and I try.  But they just don't interest me either.

tokemon
7 posts
 

Their first release was "Arnold Layne" (45rpm single) and it reached #20 on British charts. Bside was "Candy & a Current Bun". I have a copy of Aussie release and the B side is "See Emily Play". The songs were written by Syd Barrett. "Arnold Layne" was a song about a cross dresser stealing women's underwear from clotheslines at night (Go figure)

hilander1556
1 posts
 

I think most people would agree that early Floyd was pseudo-experimental and the band finding their sound in the music of the day. I listen to the early albums more out of respect and to learn about their developing sound that culminated with the massive albums of the 70's. Surprised this chat did not spur more excitement about one of the truly great bands of all time. Their Big 4 are legendary and IMHO The Wall is one of the best 5 albums in rock history--just fabulous music from start to finish, After the Final Cut their music seemed less inspired but love Waters & Gilmour's solo albums.

edgewear
543 posts
 

There probably would have been more interest or excitement in the music forum. Anyway, to me The Pink Floyd ('the' was dropped after Syd left) is a totally different band than Pink Floyd without Sid. The Piper album was all Barrett's song writing in a style that fit the psychedelic mood of the time, but was a very personal mixture of experimentalism and playfulness. It was recorded in Abbey Road at about the same time as Sgt. Pepper and there are stories about the Beatles 'taking note' of what was going on 'in the other room'. Probably folklore, but Piper was hugely influencial when it came out. And of course Arnold Layne and See Emily Play had already been released. Barrett was probably not more of a drug addict then any other of his peers, but he did become the most famous LSD casualty in rock history. His solo albums are harrowing documents of his mental breakdown.

Pink Floyd never recovered and after some artistically uneven records they reinvented themselves as the heavy handed prog outfit they eventually became. But Syd's spirit hung around until Wish You Were Here, which was nothing less than a tribute to their 'lost' friend and collegue. After that it was Roger Waters who called all the shots and we know what he's like......

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