204. Syd Barrett | The Madcap Laughs (1970)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Terrapin
2. No Good Trying
3. Love You
4. No Man's Land
5. Dark Globe
6. Here I Go
7. Octopus
8. Golden Hair
9. Long Gone
10. She Took a Long Cold Look
11. Feel
12. If It's In You
13. Late Night

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The Madcap Laughs is a claustrophobic album. The music is psychedelic folk. While the music is psychedelic, it's very stark and low-key compared to the psychedelic rock of 1967 and 1968.

There's an underlying tension on this album, especially on the second half. It's as if something is going to snap and all hell is going to break loose. When Syd Barrett speaks between takes on a song or two at the end, he sounds stressed.

This album is an acquired taste. There was a feeling that something was not quite right. The first time listening, the first couple songs were quite jarring and discomforting. After listening several times, I am used to it, but it's still unsettling.

I find this album intriguing. It's not the kind of album that will or should end up in regular rotation. Instead, it's an album to listen to when you're not feeling quite right. I think it's worth listening to, but not quite sure it should be on the 1001 Albums list. It's psychedelic music. In that sense, there's not much new to this album.

I also suspect there's always been a buzz about Syd Barrett because of his breakdown because of the popularity of Pink Floyd, and their references to him, after his departure. That is, if Pink Floyd had never amounted to anything, this album would be forgotten. And that is probably why we still talk about Syd Barrett.

The songs are good. I'm not sure if there are many stand outs since they all sound remarkably similar. But here are some notable ones: Terrapin, No Good Trying, Octopus, Golden Hair, Long Gone and If It's In You.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

109. The Incredible String Band | The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (1968)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Koeeoaddi There
2. The Minotaur's Song
3. Witches Hat
4. A Very Cellular Song
5. Mercy I Cry City
6. Waltz of the New Moon
7. The Water Song
8. Three Is a Green Crown
9. Swift as the Wind
10. Nightfall

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Note: The album cover shown in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is not the original album cover. The one above on the right is the original album cover according to Discogs and Wikipedia. It seems the album cover was changed to the one above on the left at some point. The Wikipedia entry makes mention of it, but it's not very clear and the Discogs entry for the album just has LP images.

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter is a medieval album. That is to say, the songs remind me of the minstrel music one might hear at popular medieval fairs. Perhaps, they also remind me of English children's nursery rhymes that I learned as a child. While those might be impressions one also might get when listening to this album, to say this sounds like medieval music, children's nursery rhymes or psychedelic folk music is overly simplistic. This album is a mix of traditional folk songs from around the world and that becomes clearer the more one listens to it. Apparently, the bards, Robin Williamson and Mike Heron, can play any instrument put in front of them.

Most of the songs have different parts to them, so the music critic who wrote the entry for this album in the 1001 Albums book notes that these songs might be better called suites. I would agree with that, but I will call them pieces. No matter, I think it's an important distinction, especially with A Very Cellular Song. Expecting each piece to be like normal a song will lead to frustration. Understanding that there are different movements in each piece will make it less confusing. However, the lyrics of these pieces can still be impenetrable.

I love the music, though. The variety of instruments keeps the music fresh and despite the different styles and musical instruments, there isn't a piece out of place. I do think this is an album worth listening to, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.

The pieces are all worth listening to. A Very Cellular Song is the epic piece, but Koeeoaddi There, The Minotaur's Song, Witches Hat and Three Is a Green Crown are stand outs, too.

★★★★★★★★☆☆