Syd Barrett Albums Ranked
Roger Keith “Syd” Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, and musician who co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd in 1965. Barrett named the group and was their original frontman and primary songwriter, becoming known for his English-accented singing, literary influences, free-form writing style, and whimsical take on psychedelia. As a guitarist, he experimented with free-form playing and elements such as dissonance, distortion, echo, feedback, and other studio effects, proving influential to many musicians. In 1972, Barrett left the music industry, retired from public life, and strictly guarded his privacy until his death. He continued painting and dedicated himself to gardening. Pink Floyd recorded several tributes and homages to him, including the 1975 song suite “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and the 1979 rock opera The Wall. In 1988, EMI released an album of unreleased tracks and outtakes, Opel, with Barrett’s approval. He died of pancreatic cancer in 2006. Here are all of Syd Barrett Albums Ranked.
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7. Crazy Diamond (1993)
“The “Crazy Diamond” box set presented here gives the listener a very large dose of material by one of rock’s true hermits, the late Syd Barrett. Disillusioned with the whole successful popular rock musician’s lifestyle, he left Pink Floyd in 1968 (a decision made by the rest of the band, though he probably agreed it was a good idea on some level), made a couple records of his own, then went away, though he has stayed in the public’s eye nonetheless.”
6. The Best Of Syd Barrett: Wouldn’t You Miss Me? (2001)
“This collection is a well put together sampling of some of his best solo works. There are a few parts that are a bit of a hard listen, partly because of Syd’s penchant for off-beat lyrics and dissonant sounds, but also because, if you listen closely, you’ll hear those hints at the troubles that plagued Syd’s life.”
5. An Introduction To Syd Barrett (2010)
“An excellent introduction to Syd Barrett from his Pink Floyd days to the solo albums. It includes the obligatory Arnold Layne, See Emily Play and Apples and Oranges, which for a while was a race track. Chapter 24, Mother Matilda, and Bike complete the Floyd tracks. All excellent slices of British whimsical psychedelia drawin from nursery rhymes and fairy stories and Barrett’s childlike simplicity. Though Bike is said to indicate his breakdown.”
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4. Opel (1988)
“I don’t think Opel is tragic or sad or “seeing a man lose his mind”. Thats negative and untrue. Its poetry even though its a bit scruffy and even tho it gets silly (milky way) its still charming and funny. I love everything syd barrett did. Lets split is great and Opel if he’d worked with a full band could have turned into a real epic song but its great as it is anyway. This album (to me) is a treasure of english romantic songwriting.”
3. The Madcap Laughs / Barrett (1974)
“My favourite song on madcap is “Feel” its so haunting and poetic yet people never seem to notice just what a great song Feel is. Strange that. But the whole of madcap laughs is is great, funny, strange, poetic and nutty! I just wish people would stop comparing it to other Pink Floyd albums. Its Art and it stands alone without comparisons and chin stroking critics droning on tediously about Syds breakdown. Just listen and let Syd draw you into his world”
2. Barrett (1970)
“A little strange but hey that’s what sid was all about!! For a pink floyd fan like myself it’s a must own if you never listen to sid before start with piper at the gates of dawn pink floyd and then go back to Syd. Filled with all the Barrett- esque nuances one would expect from Syd, it is a must listen if you are remotely intrigued by the genius of his work!?
1. The Madcap Laughs (1970)
“Admit it – I’m a Syd Barrett FANATIC. Anyway, this album is a very personal testament to the artistry of Syd Barrett. Not crazy about every single song on the album, but there’s some very strong material, and Syd Barrett’s personal presence here is immense. Piper at the Gates of Dawn is a masterpiece, and a major portion of that was composer, lyricist, singer and lead guitarist – Syd. “