Customer Reviews

Octopus: Best of

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike those that found the ommision of some early Floyd stuff regrettable, I like the song selection. This CD is by Syd, not the Floyd, and if you want to know what his solo career sounds like, this is it. Anything from Piper or the singles would throw the mood off and would make listeners think they might find more of that sound on his solo stuff.
Also,one of the best comparisons I've heard is to Nick Drake. So I might say if you like Nick Drake, you'll p robably like this. Sure he also is Robyn Hitchcock's greatest influence and has a bit fo that sound, though more personal and manic sounding. It's a little less overwhelminghly depressing than Nick Drake which is nice.
P.S. In the 12/16/01 episode of "The X-Files" the bad guy wears a Syd Barrett t-shirt throughout the whole show and they feature two songs during the show - No Good Trying & Terrapin.
Cheers and a prayer for Roger Barrett somewhere in middle England.

For those who haven't heard syd's music, it's a good place to start. It's the first CD I've ever bought in my life, and it's so stunning that I never thought that music could be like this. From Childhood whimsy "octopus", "Baby lemonade", mystic "swan lee", "late night", "golden hair", and desparate "opel", all are included. As any "best collection", one should not expect it includes all the good songs. No Pink Floyd period single is the first flaw, the second is that it do not really capture the best, but it capture the most accessible ones. Missing "No man's land", "Long Gone", "Love Song" (why miss this one?) ,and "dominoes" is an unforgivable mistake. Anyway, I suggest that if you never listened to Syd and see this record in local cd shops, buy this, then buy Madcap Laugh and Piper at the gates of Dawn if you like "Octopus". You won't be disappointed.

This is a great album. For those who like Syd's works, but don't want to hear the flawed production, this is for you. For those who don't have all the albums: refer to the last statement. If you have all the songs, I wouldn't buy it if I were you. Otherwise this is a good album showing what a musician, with such a short career, could accomplish and how he influenced such as Julian Cope, Robyn HItchcock, and one of his song's covered by David Bowie. Too bad the album didn't contain any singles from the Pink Floyd years. . .

I believe that these songs are terrific. They truly express the vast creativity of Syd Barrett's amazing imagination. Gilliam says 'No', but I say 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Syd is awesome, too bad you went insane, man. What a drag.
Probably my most favourite song is 'Octopus' out of Syd's masterpieces. I love Pink Floyd, and I became really into it and then heard of Syd. When I listened to his music, 'Octopus' jumped out at me and amazed me. Syd's approach to songs is very unique in an awesome way. This album is a must-buy.

if you like this album its because syd was a genius.if you love the tunes it doesnt mean that youve had too much LSD,it means you know good music when you here it.check this out.most of the lame bands today wish they could write like this.enjoy.

If you like this you've eaten too much LSD too. I suppose if you've really conditioned yourself to like this kind of music you could get off on this, but it's no "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" Stay away from this.