A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

Moving away from the manic absurdity of 'Piper' into a more space rock sound on this one, featuring a powerful start in 'Let There be more Light', PF explores their own compositional skills within psychedelic and avant-garde soundscapes. The eerily atmospheric and rhythmic 'Set the Control' is one of the bands signature pieces from this time, with the classic psych sensibilities, followed by a most wacky and sardonic 'Corporal Clegg' featuring some really barbed wire guitar sounds and haunting vocals. The title track is the most remarkable, an avant-garde depiction of a war in four movements, building tension and dissonance before breaking into clash of noises and effects, maddening but intriguing stuff. 'Jugband Blues' is a disturbed last track from Syd Barrett, complete with a jugband going crazy in the middle of the track before of fades out in darkness.. the lyrics in particular are extra effective here. Overall a very good early Floyd album, highly recommended to fans of this era of the band.