Relics

Released in 1971, this album isn't so much of a 'greatest hits' as it is a collection of interesting classic songs and singles that were being re-released just as Pink Floyd was entering its most productive and memorable years. "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play" were two early and successful Pink Floyd singles from 1967 written by the band's founder and leader at the time, Sid Barrett. "Interstellar Overdrive" was one of their early psychedelic instrumentals also from 1967. "Remember a Day" is a Richard Wright song about childhood that was originally released on the album "A Saucerful of Secrets", while "Paintbox" is another piece written by Wright during the same period. "Julia Dream" is a haunting yet beautiful song by Roger Waters that foreshadows the song writing skills that would make him legendary in future years. "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" is another classic instrumental, but this one is from David Gilmour's early time with the band after Barrett had left. "Cirrus Minor" and "The Nile Song" are from Pink Floyd's third album, "More", which is the soundtrack to a movie of the same title. "The Nile Song" rocks harder than most Pink Floyd music from that time. "Biding My Time" is an interesting one from Roger Waters, complete with a horn section to round out the sound. "Bike" is an odd one written by Sid back in 1967. Very quirky and psychedelic. All of the songs can bring you back to the long-gone, carefree days of the British psychedelic scene of late 60s, even if you weren't there in the first place. This disc rounds out any Pink Floyd collection by giving you a sampling of some of their best work from the early years.

This is a great compilation album of Pink Floyd singles. There are quite a few Syd Barrett songs on this album and it fills out my collection.

Really enjoy this CD!

This was probably released with the same intent as "A Saucerful Of Secrets," an attempt to get some Floyd product out there, as the idea of Pink Floyd continuing without Syd Barrett was still a shaky idea. There has been some criticism of "Relics" over which material should've been included; myself, I have no problem with two selections from "More" being included, except that in 1969 or '70 ( someone else said '71, not sure), when this came out, "More" wasn't a "Relic" yet. They could've left these tracks off, and included "Point Me At The Sky," and maybe something like "It Would Be So Nice," something like that. But, "Relics" is a pretty good cross-section of what they were doing at the time, and since I read the review from the person who is enamored with "Julia Dream," it has been going around in my head, too. I've always loved those ethereal melodies, and dream-like sound effects, the heavily reverbed sound they had a penchant for at the time. The real rarities here, are the original versions of "Careful With That Axe, Eugene," and "Biding My Time." OK, "Eugene" isn't as heavy and eerie, like on "Ummagumma," but it shows the early Gilmour era in fine form. I think the best version of this is the one they retitled "Come in, number 51, Your Time Is Up," from Zabriskie Point." That is creepy and menacing. "Biding My Time," on the other hand, is sleezy, raunchy, and borderline vulgar; not for the lyrics, but the bawdy quality of it, the horns are something out of a strip club, the band plays heavy-handed, over-the-top blues, you can almost see some dodgy, well-endowed stripper on a stage in a smoke-filled room, bottles flying, just a grubby, seedy atmosphere. Included are some of the old Barrett singles like "Arnold Layne," and "Bike." The two halves of this song are necessary for the song to work, as a version was once released without the collage of sound at the end; no! It NEEDS that; it completes it. "Relics" isn't a complete document of Pink Floyd up to 1969, but it is an entertaining, mix of good quality music by a really great band.

Let's face it, of all the pretenders to the title "The Mad Hatter of Psychedelica" no one can campare with the Infamous Syd Barret. Most of the songs on this album were written or inspired by Syd. And this album captures one of Rock's most creative, enigmatic, legendary bands in it's infancy. When you first listen to the album you might be a bit disappointed if you are expecting "Dark Side of the Moon." But if you give it a chance, you'll see that these guys were pretty darn good even back when they were just learning how to write songs. The quality of the recordings amazes me. They always were into the cutting edge of musical and electronic technology, and it shows in these early recordings. This album is extremly eclectic, with musical styles rambling all over the place. Syd's mad genius shines through, and it makes you wonder, what if? But I would have to say, you need to be a Pink Floyd fan to really appreciate this album. Because of all the mystery and hype and controversy surrounding Syd Barret and his descent into madness which precipitated his replacement by David Gilmore; and the results; which speak for themselves.

What a great mastering this LP is and perfect pressing and to have the two songs in Mono is awesome. Can recommend.

Raccolta dei primi successi dei Floyd, con Barrett al timone. Poco da dire, ottimo vinile da avere! Buono il suono e la rimasterizzazione

Eine gute angenehm anhörbare Compilation mit etlichen Perlen und damaligen unveröffentlichten Stücken sehr gut

Another great lp has most if early Floyd with Syd the main man Buy it

A mon sens un des, sinon le meilleur album des Pink Floyd! De la musique psychédélique à un des deux seuls morceaux type hard-rock des Pink Floyd de leur carrière! Bref, vous aimez Pink Floyd? Vous adorerez donc cet album! Pour les autres, album à découvrir absolument!