But for that misstep, however, The Madcap Laughs is a surprisingly effective record that holds up better than its 'ooh, lookit the scary crazy person' reputation suggests. The album falls apart with the appalling 'Feel.' Frankly, the inclusion of false starts and studio chatter, not to mention some simply horrible off-key singing by Barrett, makes this already marginal track feel disgustingly exploitative. Honestly, however, the other solo tracks are the album's weakest tracks, with the exception of the plain gorgeous 'Golden Hair,' a musical setting of a James Joyce poem that's simply spellbinding. The solo tracks are what made the album's reputation, though, particularly the horrifying 'Dark Globe,' a first-person portrait of schizophrenia that's seemingly the most self-aware song this normally whimsical songwriter ever created. The Madcap Laughs is an enjoyable album and is a basically a toned down version of Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Like many of the 'band' tracks, 'Here I Go' is a Barrett solo performance with overdubs by Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, and Robert Wyatt of the Soft Machine the combination doesn't always particularly work, as the Softs' jazzy, improvisational style is hemmed in by having to follow Barrett's predetermined lead, so on several tracks, like 'No Good Trying,' they content themselves with simply making weird noises in the background. The downright Kinksy'Here I Go' is in the same style, although it's both more lyrically direct and musically freaky, speeding up and slowing down seemingly at random. The much bouncier 'Love You' sounds like a sunny little Carnaby Street pop song along the lines of an early Move single, complete with music hall piano, until the listener tries to parse the lyrics and realizes that they make no sense at all. The opening 'Terrapin' seems to go on three times as long as its five-minute length, creating a hypnotic effect through Barrett's simple, repetitive guitar figure and stream of consciousness lyrics.

Surprisingly, Jones' tracks are song for song much stronger than the more-lauded Floyd entries. Half the album was recorded by Barrett's former bandmates Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour, and the other half by Harvest Records head Malcolm Jones. MADCAP is a rich distillation of the triumph of creativity over self-destruction.Wisely, The Madcap Laughs doesn't even try to sound like a consistent record. The unlikely collaboration 'Golden Hair' is among the most haunting songs ever committed to vinyl. The most compelling song lyrics on MADCAP, however, were not even written by Barrett, but by fellow spiritual expatriate James Joyce. The plaintive voice-cracking wail of 'Won't you miss me / won't you miss me at all?' in 'Dark Globe' could just as easily have been directed at a departing lover or the fanbase that Syd was separating himself from at the time through chemical abuse and reclusive behavior.

Variation 1: 'PATENT APPLIED FOR' and 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. The Madcap Laughs, released in January 1970. This was clearly in advance of the 1970 release date. Among the guest musicians are Willie Wilson from Gilmours old band Jokers Wild and several members of Soft Machine. The backcover states printing date 6911 (November 1969). Although MADCAP is not as lyrically obscure as most of Barrett's work with Floyd, the album nonetheless proves that Barrett could mutate a simple love song ('Love You,' 'She Took a Long Cold Look') past the realm of the expected into something chilling. Released in a front laminated gatefold sleeve with the disc housed in the rear opening and the front opening is glued shut with no inner flap. Taking a turn away from Floyd's complex layered psychedelia, Barrett's solo debut, MADCAP LAUGHS, revealed the singer/songwriter to be a somewhat gentle, reflective poet. Recording commenced immediately after Barretts departure.

Aside from being Floyd's primary songwriter, singer, and guitarist, Barrett had already developed the reputation for being a twisted child prodigy. The Madcap Laughs is the debut studio album by Syd Barrett, released on Harvest Records in 1970. Complete your purchase to save the MP3 version to your music library. When Syd Barrett departed Pink Floyd for a solo career after (minimally) contributing to A SAUCER FULL OF SECRETS in 1969, expectations naturally ran high. 27.40 5 Used from 29.99 30 New from 26.36 2 Collectible from 99.98.

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