THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN

This album, along with Sgt. Pepper, is where it all started as far as "art rock" or "progressive". Its no wonder it was recorded in the same studio at the same time as the Beatles masterpiece. While Syd Barret's mental problems and drug abuse have been well documented, he remains a powerful songwriter and one of the original architects of space rock. "Astonomy Domine" and "Intersteller Overdrive" can still send me on a bad trip, almost frightening . And the whimsical, fantasy childlike quality of songs like "The Gnome" and "Matilda Mother" still sound surprisingly fresh even today. And although the Floyd moved on to greener, and more succesful pastures, this remains a gem.