A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

Most of Pink Floyd's early albums were transitional in one way or another, and this was no exception as it marked the move away from Barrett's whimsy into a more experimental psych phase as Gilmour joined. It's a good album, as they search for new inspiration, with many songs demonstrating an embryonic form of the band's future direction with both Waters and Wright learning to write better songs. Remember A Day and Corporal Clegg are worthy efforts, but the album is most remembered for the studio versions of concert classics Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun and the title track, both developed into extended on-stage psych classics. Barrett's final songwriting credit for the band came in the form of the album finale Jugband Blues, a twisted and very poignant lyric allied to perverse arrangement. A fine way to go out, but not a wholely successful album.