Whenever I think of this album, the word "WHY?!?!?!?!" comes immediately to mind. Why? Why did they have to kick Syd Barrett out of the band? Why did they have to let someone like ROGER WATERS take over? Why did they even let him write The Wall? Why did this become so dang popular on its initial release? Why did I have to get this as my second Pink Floyd album when I probably wouldn't even reccommend this to most starting fans?
WHY????
As you can see, this album raises a bunch of questions. The answers, in order: 1, he was crazy, he couldn't keep working with them. 2, they weren't thinking of the consequences. 3, because he was in charge and went just as crazy as his predecessor. 4, I guess the public liked it. And 5, I just had some really big dental work (involved tearing out my gums, basically), and my mum rewarded me with an iPod card which I bought Dark Side of the Moon with and I had money for one other album, so I was foolish and brilliant enough to choose Piper. And there you have it.
Astronomy Domine: Isn't that Latin? Latin for...domination of astronomy or something? Who cares...I always say that a band ought to have an awesome first song. At first I thought Astronomy Domine was a bit disappointing in comparison to other bands' first songs (like Queen, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, ect.) Except then it grew on me...It's not that bad. It's really kinda cool, if you think about it.
Lucifer Sam: This is yet another cool song. And it's about a cat. A cat...why write about a cat, of all things? Ah, but you remember that this is Pink Floyd, and that they write songs about fairly illogical subjects. This includes cats. (Actually, cats are fairly normal subject matter in comparison to a few other things on this record.) It's cool, not as great as the first song, but still good enough for me to say it's "awesome".
Matilda Mother: I spent the first few listens to this album trying to figure out what this song was. It sounded almost like it meant something. I still like to maintain the belief that it really is about something. (Except then I remembered...this is the Pink Floyd...oh...) I never get tired of this song, and I think it's pretty good. This album is turning out nicely.
Flaming: The noises at the beginning frightened me initially. I almost skipped this upon my first listen, actually, but I somehow willed myself to continue. I was pleasantly rewarded...or at least I think I was. It's funny, frightening, whimsical, insane and disturbing, all at once. Interesting.
Pow R. Toc H.: Oh, come on! What is this, seriously! I used to like this when I first had the album. Except...this track gets rather old, and it happened sooner than I would have liked. Still, the album's had four consecutive good songs (and this isn't even counting the fact that this is right off the bat!). There's hope for these guys yet!
Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk: This is a rather good song. It's...interesting. Actually, it's one of the more normal songs on here. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing...(Maybe I should stop using those elipses...) It's interesting to listen to, and, well, it's a Roger Waters song. Don't let that put you off, though!
Interstellar Overdrive: I'm sure this song has got some value to it. I can't see it very well, though. Okay, this is my second least-favorite track on the album. It goes on too long for me (so says she who can stand a 23-minute song). And the middle part seems to be complete nonsense.
The Gnome: The gnome...yay! It's the gnome! Wait, I hate gnomes. Once I broke a garden gnome on accident. I had to apologize and say I was sorry. Except then later I started being all silly, and Mum said, "Are you really sorry that you broke the gnome?" I said: "Sorry that I broke it, yes. I'm not sorry that it was a gnome." If I hate gnomes, then why do I like this song so much? Because it's silly! More people ought to write songs about gnomes. It's funny.
Chapter 24: This is my least favorite song from Piper. Apparently I really do have a thing for Side One as opposed to Side Two. This song just drags on and it doesn't seem to get anywhere...I almost universally skip it.
The Scarecrow: An interesting, short song. It seems both depressed and whimsical at the same time. Like somebody's singing a happy song when they look really sad. Or like...Lemony Snicket! Yeah...maybe that's his problem, he listens to too much Pink Floyd when he writes. I wouldn't put it past him. Nice song.
Bike: Oh yes! I've got a bike, you can ride it if you'd like...seriously, I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it. This song has the amazing ability to make me laugh whenever I hear it. It is hilarious! A very fitting conclusion to an awesome album!
Best tracks: Astronomy Domine, Lucifer Sam, Flaming, The Gnome, and Bike.
Send all questions and comments to: pippin_sparks@rocketmail.com