Pink Floyd
The Piper At The Gates Of Down

We are in 1967. A date that practically everyone remembers for various musical works: it is certainly impossible not to consider "Sgt. Pepper" by the Beatles, a fantastic album starting from the wonderful cover, ending with tracks like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "A Day in the Life".

But another great album of the year is "The Piper", from this group that emerges quite courageously, supported by the original personality of Syd Barrett. Now it can be deduced that in this year we see the decisive affirmation of psychedelia: rock is changing its face, and a new path is opening in the genre. The cover of the album in question features four cheerful young men (at least two of whom seem to have just come out of college - look at Nick Mason!) and the writing in pink, Pink Floyd. I put on the CD, which starts with an astonishing track: 'Astronomy Domine'. "Lime and limpid green, a second scene, a fight between the blue you once knew..." Fantastic, you're already inside the group's world. It continues with 'Lucifer Sam' and another great piece, Matilda Mother: the child's mother tells a fairy tale, into which we also enter. But what kind of lyrics are these???

Flaming: Alone in the clouds all blue, lying on an eiderdown, yippee, you can't see me but I can you... What were they smoking? - the first question that arises. But how original are they? - the second.

Following the instrumental 'Pow R. Toc H., Take Up Thy Stethoscope & Walk' and 'Interstellar Overdrive' (a great track to repeat at concerts - as well as in an "On stage with Zappa"!). Subsequently, we encounter 'The Gnome', another little fairy tale with a psychedelic aftertaste: A gnome named Grimble Gromble... Simply wonderful! Finally, the last three tracks: 'Chapter 24', 'Scarecrow' and 'Bike'.

Try to think: how could an album like this be overlooked? How could such an innovative and sincere work remain in the shadows? I'll answer you: it simply couldn't. Undoubtedly 'Sgt. Pepper' is a great recording, but this 'The Piper' marked the beginning of an era, in which undoubtedly Pink Floyd dominated, outshining everyone.

PS: if you liked it, then don't miss the wonderful 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' and 'Ummagumma'...