Relics (Remastered, 180 Gram Vinyl)

Pink Floyd: Syd Barrett, David Gilmour (vocals, guitar); Richard Wright (vocals, piano, organ); Roger Waters (vocals, bass); Nick Mason (drums). Producers: Norman Smith, Joe Boyd, Pink Floyd. RELICS collects Pink Floyd's first two singles, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play," in addition to tracks from their early albums (1967-1969). Pink Floyd achieved their greatest success after their enigmatic leader, Syd Barrett, left the band. Originally released in 1971, RELICS documents the transition from Barrett's LSD-influenced psychedelic rock to Waters' manic-depressive psychedelic rock. The organ-laced "Arnold Layne," and "See Emily Play" with its harpsichord break and nonsensical lyrics, are representative of the mod-pop music coming out of London circa 1967, at which Barrett excelled. The instrumental "Interstellar Overdrive" hints at the type of extended space-rock jams that Roger Waters and the rest of the band would seize upon once Barrett left. Keyboardist Rick Wright contributes two tunes, "Remember a Day" and "Paintbox," showing that he was coming into his own as a songwriter before his creative voice was squashed by the overbearing Waters. By 1971 it was clear that Pink Floyd was Roger Waters' band, with the occasional contribution by one of the other members, most notably guitarist David Gilmour.