u/Definitelynotatwork1

The Madcap Laughs, released in early 1970, was Syd Barrett’s first solo album after his unceremonious departure from Pink Floyd. The albums sessions dragged on for a year, with David Gilmour and Roger Waters stepping in to assist in ‘finishing’ the album in between sessions for Floyd. Their approach leaned heavily on raw incomplete takes, false starts, and dead air. Without speculating, the album does take on a framing as a document of Syd’s fragile state. While the album is still excellent, if you’re into that sort of thing, I’d have preferred an album showcasing Barrett’s songs, not his state of mind exactly.

Before Gilmour and Waters came in, there was enough material for an album from the sessions with producers Malcolm Jones and Peter Jenner. My hypothetical earlier album does retain some of the more raw aspects, while adding back some tracks removed like Opel, but presents a much stronger album overall.

Side one: (22 minutes)

[1] Terrapin [The Madcap Laughs]

[2] No Good Trying [The Madcap Laughs]

[3] Love You (Take One) [The Madcap Laughs: Exp. Ed.]

[4] Lanky (Part. One) [Opel: Deluxe Edition]

[5] No Man’s Land [The Madcap Laughs]

[6] Here I Go [The Madcap Laughs]

Side two: (18 minutes)

[7] Clowns & Jugglers [Opel: Deluxe Edition]

[8] Golden Hair (Take 5) [The Madcap Laughs: Exp. Ed.]

[9] Opel [Opel: Deluxe Edition]

[10] Swan Lee (Silas Lang) [Opel: Deluxe Edition]

[11] Late Night [The Madcap Laughs]

Total Runtime: 41 minutes

YouTube Music Playlist - The Madcap Laughs (1969)

Spotify Playlist - The Madcap Laughs (1969)