Pink Floyd: The Early Years

"Relics" is a collection of very early Pink Floyd singles and rare tracks, covering the band's first couple of years from 1967 to 1969. Consider it "Pink Floyd: The Early Years," if you like. Five tracks come from the group's first three albums: the classic, trippy instrumental "Interstellar Overdrive" and the half children's song/half freak-out number, "Bike" (both from "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn"), the breezy "Remember A Day" (from "A Saucerful Of Secrets"), and a pair of tunes from the "More" movie soundtrack: the eerie "Cirrus Minor," and the thunderous rocker, "The Nile Song." All superb stuff, but the main selling point of "Relics" are the six rare Floyd tracks that make up the remainder, such as the classic early singles "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play," both great little blasts of late-60's psychedelic pop, the jaunty "Paintbox," and the lovely, mysterious atmosphere of "Julia Dream." Also included is the original studio version of "Careful With That Axe, Eugene," an outstanding Floyd instrumental that's probably more famous in it's live version from the "Ummagumma" album. Although the live version of "Eugene" IS more monstrous and powerful, as the Floyd were able to slowly build it up and expand on it in concert, the slightly-faster studio version is nothing to sneeze at either, and the band give it a studio performance that's very impressive, skillful, and passionate. And finally, there is what is quite possibly the happiest, most upbeat song in the entire Pink Floyd catalog, "Biding My Time." Although the song starts out softly, before long the band turn it into a full-throttle jazz-rock rave-up, complete with horn section! Sounds to me like the Floyd had a grand ol' time in the studio when they recorded this number, and it shows. Love it! Pink Floyd's "Relics" may indeed be, as the album cover says, "a bizarre collection of antiques & curios," but oh, is it good. Floyd fans everywhere should definitely add this album to their collection.

A MUST HAVE FOR THE PYSCHODELIC PINK FLOYD FANS

I will only comment on half of this album since the rest of their songs are from the first three albums. Most importantly, this album should have contained of all of their singles and b sides that do not appear on any of their albums. I seriously believe that there is no possibility of acquiring these singles that are on not available on cd. ARNOLD LAYNE and SEE EMILY PLAY are excellent if not outstanding SYD BARRETT songs. I love RICHARD WRIGHT's PAINTBOX with his calm and relaxing vocal and piano skills. JULIA DREAM, which features a nice flute, is also an outstanding song that is sung by DAVID GILMOUR. Although I prefer the LIVE AT POMPEII version of CAREFUL WITH THAT AXE EUGENE, this version that features the HAMMOND B5 organ and DAVID's overdriven guitar solo definitely outdoes the live version from UMMAGUMMA. BIDING MY TIME that is written and sung by ROGER WATERS happens to be one of his best songs of the pre THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON era. It features excellent vocals by ROGER, keyboard riffs by RICHARD, drums by NICK MASON, and guitar riffs by DAVID that are accompanied by a brass section. I really do not like the way that ROGER's voice changed when he started singing the high notes for the future albums that followed THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. Plus, he had a better voice when he would sing in his low-pitch tone. With the exception of THE WALL and THE FINAL CUT, DAVID still should have continued to sing most of those albums. At least he sang most of THE DARK SIDE, which would be the last album for him in the focal point.

old dusty relics

I found this album at a used record store in Chicago, so i suppose it literally is a relic; I bought it on the spot for $5 (i found this expensive, but ultimately worth much more).



Half of my curiosity stemmed from my recent purchase of Ummagumma and heard "Careful with that axe, Eugene," which is quite possibly the most climactic and nightmare-inducing song i have ever head. So, i wanted to see what the studio recording sounded like. After my first listen, i was relatively dissapointed, as it didn't seem to have the creepy emotion the much longer live version expressed (this is the only reason you see 4 instead of 5 stars, but i would much rather give Ummagumma a 6)



After a few weeks of leaving Relics in a drawer, i decided to give it a second chance. Slowly, each song began to pop out as its own little gem, starting with the angsty/catchy Nile Song, the sarcastic Paintbox, and the melodic Julia Dream. This album is often ignored, and generally disliked, but this is what i think of as a "old wine" record, the type of record that needs to be aged and listened to mutliple times to win you over. It does a brilliant job of summarizing the Syd Barrett era of Pink Floyd, leading me into more indescision as to which Floyd time period is my favorite.

It's Psychedelic Man

I own this album on the original 1971 Starline vinyl. I was captivated, and still am, by Pink Floyd's music, and this album was my introduction to the band. My favorites on the album are: Julia Dream and Cirrus Minor (pop on the headphones and just sink into these two songs). Careful With That Axe, Eugene and biding my time are also excellent (check out the live, Careful With That Axe, Eugene on Ummagumma. You can listen to the music if you go to the 'blue cover' Relics in the Pink Floyd section.



You can't compare Relics to albums like to Dark Side Of The Moon, or The Wall, but it's just wonderful late 60's Floyd and remains on my list of favorites. I haven't heard the sound quality of this remaster, but one reviewer says it's awful.

Extremely Disappointed

I would give this album a five, but unfortunately, whoever remastered this, has butchered (as in chopped) the ends off of several songs (Interstellar Overdrive, Biding My Time and more, seconds I deem important), and the beginning of others (most noticeably Julia Dream). The remastering sounds flatter than my LP and tape of Relics (without the added tracks), and more hiss has been introduced to boot. I think this may be the worst "remaster" done. At least the worst I've heard. It really is a shame. Look to other/earlier releases for quality. Peace.

A different Pink Floyd.

'Relics' shows the Pink Floyd most people (except die-hard fans) don't know about. This was before 'The Dark Side of the Moon' days, the days when the band was super weird. Check it out and you'll never believe it is The Floyd.